The main technical objectives of this study are to provide a geological model and detailed economic assessment of the Foreland Basins of Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. The geological model will provide an improved basis for paleogeographic, structural, and hydrocarbon evaluation, and functioning of petroleum systems. This will be achieved through the following approach:
- Construct a basin-wide lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic framework as a basis to establish a marine sequence stratigraphy and to determine models of sedimentary facies for such sequences in the area
- Investigate the stratigraphic distribution of mature/effective hydrocarbon source rocks in the area
- Determine the structural style and provide a balanced interpretation of the structural mechanism for the origin of each basin
- Develop concepts of hydrocarbon entrapment emphasizing such topics as the timing of hydrocarbon entrapment versus reservoir diagenesis, the drainage area versus seal continuity, and the migration trends versus paleostructure attitude, and eventually identify areas where hydrocarbons would be accumulated
- Establish correlations between reservoir quality and depositional/diagenetic units, and evaluate controls on reservoir quality and seal effectiveness
- Develop a summary of the petroleum geology and hydrocarbon potential of the area
- Provide a digital database of laboratory and well data, including electric logs for the area
- Develop cost models and a database to enable the costs of future potential exploration programs and field developments to be estimated accurately
- Develop a fiscal analysis and comparison of terms to other fiscal models
- Undertake a market analysis for fluids
- Provide a detailed economic analysis of the profitability of oil and gas exploration and field development using a range of economic assumptions