2006 26th Annual GCSSEPM Foundation Bob F. Perkins Research Conference
"Reservoir Characterization: Integrating Technology and Business Practices"
December 3-6, 2006, Houston, Texas
Over the past two decades, the mission of petroleum explorationists has evolved from (a) finding hydrocarbons to (b) finding economic hydrocarbons with reduced risk. Once found, the job of exploiting an economically viable hydrocarbon resource in an optimal manner lies with a group of technical and business professionals with a broad range of expertise. From a technical perspective, the discipline of reservoir characterization has evolved toward increasingly quantitative, interdisciplinary analysis, mainly through development of sophisticated technology and integration of multiple disciplines. As the methodologies used in reservoir characterization continue to improve, the economic perspective needs to be equally integrated into the reservoir discovery-development workflow in order to maximize economic hydrocarbon recovery.
The 2006 GCSSEPM Foundation Bob F. Perkins Research Conference is intended to provide a forum for not only presenting the latest in integrated technology and its application, but to encourage integration of risk analysis and economic evaluation into the characterization workflow. Evolution of the characterization workflow, is, and will continue to be driven by corporate demands for shorter cycle times, greater efficiency in time and money, and accelerated production. Key operational questions include:
-
What is the optimal characterization workflow for the reservoir in question, and how is it best implemented?
-
How are economics and decision-making integrated with the technical understanding of the reservoir?
-
How is uncertainty best evaluated and addressed?