

#NCSEXPLORATION
MAY 21-22 2019 | Scandic Fornebu Oslo
may 21-22 2019 | Scandic Fornebu Oslo
RECENT ADVANCES IN EXPLORATON TECHNOLOGY
RECENT ADVANCES IN EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY
About | Registration | Exhibitors | Program | #EIP | Accommodation
About
The NCS has a long tradition for being in the forefront in technological improvements in exploration. This year’s conference is the third in which both service and oil companies are given the opportunity to demonstrate “state of the art”.
For whom?
All-round explorationists with a need to get updated on recent advances in exploration technology (geochemistry, geophysics, digitalization).
Why?
The constant need for improving the success ratio on the NCS requires continuous development of exploration technology. New technology will be showcased, and case histories will be presented.
Registration
Early Bird fees are available up until March 31st
Please contact Ingvild Carstens, ingvild@geonova.no, for information about pricing for start-ups, students and out-of-work professionals.
Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be submitted by May 10th 2019.
Delegates
Peter Keller | AGGS |
Jørnar Heggsum Hubred | AGR |
Daria Krasova | AGR |
Bente Vigen | AGR |
Smita Malla | AGR |
Nora Synnestvedt Johansen | Aker BP ASA |
Kjell T. Thon | Aker BP ASA |
Joachim Rinna | Aker BP ASA |
Erling Rykkelid | Aker BP ASA |
Ida Terjesen Hagen | Aker BP ASA |
Kristian Helle | Aker BP ASA |
Benedikt Lerch | Aker BP ASA |
Tore Amund Svånå | Aurelia Geo AS |
Lee Parker | Axxis Geo Solutions AS |
Kristian Zahl | Axxis Geoservices |
Håvard Åsli | BGP Offshore |
Nils Ræstad | Bridge Consult AS |
Carl Fredrik Gyllenhammar | CaMa GeoScience AS |
Jan Egil Fivelstad | Cegal As |
Uli Werner | CGG |
Anne Camerer | CGG |
Laila Rotberget | CGG |
Silje Rogne | CGG |
Gustav Ersdal | CGG |
Erling Frantzen | CGG |
Finn Stranger | CGG |
Angelique Berthelot | CGG |
Hejie Wang | CGG |
Vetle Vinje | CGG |
Risto Siliqi | CGG |
Marianne Lefdal | CGG |
Fiamma Giovacchini | CGG |
Carl Watkins | CGG Robertson |
Egil Lind | Chrysaor Norge AS |
Rasmus Nyman | Chrysaor Norge AS |
Ole Herman Fjelltun | Concedo ASA |
Geir Lunde | Concedo ASA |
Per Avseth | Dig Science |
Kristin Dale | Dig Science |
Casper Mortensen | DownUnder GeoSolutions |
Howard Davies | DownUnder GeoSolutions |
Eirik Larsen | Earth Science Analytics |
Iselin Aarseth | Earth Science Analytics |
Anne-Brit Ramse | Edison Norge AS |
Andrea Sitta | Edison Norge AS |
Sten Rasmussen | Edison Norge AS |
Dag Helland-Hansen | EMGS ASA |
Susann Wienecke | EMGS ASA |
Martin Hansen | EMGS ASA |
Jan Petter Morten | EMGS ASA |
Dag Helland-Hansen | EMGS ASA |
Eirik Kyrkjebø | Equinor ASA |
Olaf Thießen | Equinor ASA |
Mike Cogan | Equinor ASA |
Nicola Møller | Equinor ASA |
Tor Svendsen | Equinor ASA |
Ben King | Equinor ASA |
Alf Ryseth | Equinor ASA |
Helge Løseth | Equinor ASA |
Harald Westerdahl | Equinor ASA |
Lasse Amundsen | Equinor ASA |
Lisa Rebora | Equinor ASA |
Emin Sadikhov | Equinor ASA |
Brahim Abbad | Equinor ASA |
Kjersti Breirem Neumann | Equinor ASA |
Marit Stustad Guttormsen | Equinor ASA |
Tor Sømme | Equinor ASA |
Jan Helgesen | Equinor ASA |
Erling Vågnes | Equinor ASA |
Idar A Kjørlaug | Explonor |
Bjørn Seeland | Exploro |
Laura Marello | Exploro |
Kristian B. Brandsegg | Exploro |
Harald Østby | Exploro |
Neville Barker | Foxgeo |
Daniel Baltar | Foxgeo Ltd |
Daniel Stoddart | GeoEight AS |
Gulnara Hickman | GeoProvider |
Ingvild Ryggen Carstens | GeoPublishing AS |
Halfdan Carstens | GeoPublishing AS |
Ronny Setså | GeoPublishing AS |
Toril Leite | GeoPublishing AS |
Cristina Moldovan | GeoPublishing AS |
Torunn Ryggen Carstens | GeoPublishing AS |
Flemming Kjeilen-Eilertsen | GPG |
Alisa Smerdova | GPG |
Tone Øksenvåg | Idemitsu Petroleum Norge |
Kazuki Horino | Idemitsu Petroleum Norge |
Klaus Dittmers | INPEX |
Torgeir Vinje | INPEX Norge AS |
Rick Donoghue | iSEISMIC AS |
Kjell Arne Bjerkhaug | Kadme AS |
Rolando di Primio | Lundin Norway |
Jon Halvard Pedersen | Lundin Norway |
Per Eivind Dhelie | Lundin Norway |
Jan Erik Lie | Lundin Norway |
Idar Horstad | Lundin Norway |
Per Helge Semb | Magseis Fairfield |
André Bjørvik | Magseis Fairfield |
Tor Åkermoen | MCG |
Lars Ivar Leivestad | MCG |
Gry Telje | Mime Petroleum |
Ben De Mol | Neptune Energy |
Tim Allaway | Neptune Energy |
Jan Åge Greger | Neptune Energy |
Rune Mattingsdal | Norwegian Petroleum Directorate |
Stig-Morten Knutsen | NPD |
Ståle Emil Johansen | NTNU |
Wibecke Kamp | OKEA |
Robert MacKenzie Pierpont | OMV |
Birger Dahl | Pegis |
Rosy Chirayath | PESGB |
Stephanie Best | PESGB |
Kjersti Isrenn | Petromarker AS |
Prof. Evgeny Landa | PetroTrace Ltd |
Claudio Paleari | PetroTrace Ltd |
Katherine Harington-Foulkes | PetroTrace Ltd |
David O'Dowd | PGS |
Nicola O'Dowd | PGS |
Mari Skjeldsøe Berg | PGS |
Martin Widmaier | PGS |
Carine Roalkvam | PGS |
Ruben Janssen | PGS |
Øystein Lie | PGS |
Sean Steen | PGS |
Martin Melhuus | PGS |
Erik Ewig | PGS |
Øystein Korsmo | PGS |
Erik Godoy | POLARCUS |
James Wallace | POLARCUS |
Kristofer Skantze | Rex International Holding |
Klaus Eder | Schlumberger |
Anne Øvreeide | Schlumberger |
Caroline Martinez | Schlumberger |
Michelle Whymark | Schlumberger |
Ronny Tømmerbakke | Seabird Exploration |
Jan Gunnar Opsal | Searcher GEO |
Anna Smith | Searcher Geoservices |
Rasmus Pedersen | Searcher Geoservices |
Katherine Fitzpatrick | Searcher Seismic |
Stephen Grice | Shearwater Geoservices Limited |
Bengt Larssen | Shearwater Geoservices Norway AS |
Tore Husmo | Skagen44 |
Andrew Vinall | Spectrum |
Graham Turner | Spectrum |
Morten Bergan | Spirit Energy |
Viggo Mide Tjensvoll | Spirit Energy |
Leif Ketil Thorsen | SXICOM AS |
Øystein Bjørnsen | SXICOM AS |
Aleksander Olsen | TGS |
Fredrik Amundsen | TGS |
Amund Søia | TGS |
David Jargvoll | TGS |
Bent Kjølhamar | TGS |
Pernille Tomasgaard | TGS |
Irfan Baig | UiO |
Jan Inge Faleide | UiO |
Magnar Ullnæss | VBPR |
Sverre Planke | VBPR |
John Millett | VBPR/UofA |
Filippos Tsikalas | Vår Energi |
Luigi Gugliotti | Vår Energi |
Mike Branston | WesternGeco |
Emilie O'Neill | WesternGeco |
Sven Erik Lie | WesternGeco/Schlumberger |
Graeme Bagley | Westwood Global Energy |
Balazs Badics | Wintershall DEA |
Program
Day 1
Session 1
08:55
Welcome
Halfdan Carstens, Editor in Chief at GeoPublishing AS
THE EXPLORATION FOREFRONT
Chairman: Halfdan Carstens, GeoPublishing AS
09:00
Keynote: Leadership in the Energy Transition
Lisa Rebora, SVP Exploration at Equinor
09:30
The Most Surprising Wells – and their Relationship with the use of Advanced Technology
Stig-Morten Knutsen, Director at NPD
10:00
Exploration Challenges and Potential Contributions from Technology
Erling Vågnes, Chief Geophysicist at Equinor
10:30
Coffee Break
Session 2
DERISKING THE PETROLEUM SYSTEM: HOW TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE WORKFLOW
Moderators: Rolando di Primio, Petroleum System Analyst, Lundin Norway; Idar Horstad, Geological Advisor, Lundin Norway & Daniel Stoddart, Exploration Geochemist, GeoEight AS
11:00
Interactive Session & Panel Discussion
Benedikt Lerch, Aker BP; Tore Amund Svånå, Aurelia Geo; Carl Watkins, CGG Robertson; Dag Helland-Hansen, EMGS; Helge Løseth, Olav Thießen & Alf Eivind Ryseth, Equinor; Jon Halvard Pedersen, Lundin Norway; Robert Mackenzie Pierpont, OMV; Jan Inge Faleide, University of Oslo
13:00
Lunch
Session 3
EXPLORATION INNOVATION PRIZE
Chairwoman: Ingvild Ryggen Carstens, General Manager at GeoPublishing
14:00
#EIP Candidates and Criteria
14:05
Finalist #1: CGG and Lundin for TopSeis
Jan Erik Lie, Chief Geophysicist at Lundin Norway
14:20
Finalist #2: EMGS, Equinor & Shell for DeepBlue
Jan Petter Morten, R&D Manager at EMGS
14:35
Finalist #3: Earth Science Analytics for EarthNET
Eirik Larsen, Founding Partner at ESA
14:50
Coffee Break
Session 4
IMAGING: PRESENT AND FUTURE OF SEISMIC ACQUISITION
Chairmen: Vetle Vinje, CGG & Martin Widmaier, PGS
15:20
Keynote: From Lykkeland to Artificial Intelligence: Recent Advances in Exploration Technology
Ben King, Leading Advisor at Equinor, Vetle Vinje, Principal Research Geophysicist at CGG & Martin Widmaier, Chief Geophysicist at PGS
16:00
Enabling Technology: Addressing the Imaging Challenges in the Barents Sea by Shooting over the Seismic Spread
Per Eivind Dehlie, Senior Geophysicist at Lundin Norway
16:20
25 Years of Experience with OBN - From Production to Exploration
Emin Sadikhov, Geophysicist at Equinor
16:40
Coffee Break
Evening Program
17:00
Field Trip to the Cambro-Silurian (Ordovician) Sedimentary Rocks along the Shore of the Oslo Fjord
Morten Bergan, Advisor Geologist at Spirit Energy
19:00
Apéritif
20:00
Exploration Innovation Prize Award Show and Dinner
Hostess: Pernille Thomasgård, Business Developer at TGS
Award Ceremony
Master of Ceremony: Bent Kjølhamar, Chief Geologist at TGS
Presenter: Morten Bergan, Advisor Geologist at Spirit Energy / Geological Society of Norway
Entertainment by "The Geo Sound"
TGS' House Band
An Exploration Technology Game - Kahoot
Kristian Brandsegg, COO at Exploro
Day 2
Session 1
REVIEWING THE PAST - LOOKING FORWARD
Chairwoman: Ingvild Ryggen Carstens, General Manager at GeoPublishing
08:30
30 Years of Advances in Exploration Technology and Geoscience
Graeme Bagley, Head of Global Exploration & Appraisal at Westwood Global Energy
09:00
Technology Advance and Predictive Stratigraphy in Exploration
Tor Oftedal Sømme, Principal Geologist at Equinor
09:30
Coffee Break
Session 2
IMAGING: INJECTITES
Chairman: Bent Kjølhamar, Chief Geologist at TGS
10:00
Injectite Play in the North Sea. Examples from the Frosk and Froskelår Main
Ida Terjesen Hagen, Geologist at Aker BP
10:20
Frosk/Bøyla: Imaging Injectites Using Multiazimuth Data and Least Squares Migration
Øystein Korsmo, Depth Imaging Manager at PGS
Session 3
IMAGING: GEOPHYSICAL METHODS
Chairman: Bent Kjølhamar, Chief Geologist at TGS
10:40
The Path to Improved Exploration Predictions through CSEM Adoption: First-Hand Experiences from Pemex's Frontier Deep-Water
Daniel Baltar, Exploration Advisor at FoxGeo
11:00
Renewed Ideas on Traps in the Nordkapp Basin by Advanced Multi-Geophysical Salt Imaging with Potential to Re-Open a Large Under-Explored Basin on the NCS
Dr. Susann Wienecke, Interpretation Advisor at EMGS
11:20
Deep Crustal Imaging of the Atlantic Ridge
Ståle Emil Johansen, Professor Applied Geophysics at NTNU
11:40
Predicting Source Rocks from Seismic: State of the Art with Examples from the NCS
Helge Løseth, Geologist at Equinor
12:00
Lunch
Session 4
IMAGING: EXAMPLES FROM REGIONS WITH COMPLEX GEOLOGY
Chairman: Idar Kjørlaug, Explonor
13:00
Structure and Prospectivity of the Outer Møre and Vøring Basins and the Western Barents Sea based on Integrated Seismic-Gravity-Magnetic Interpretation
Sverre Planke, CEO at VBPR
13:20
New Sub-basalt Processing Technology to Reveal a Hidden Prospective Geology on the Norwegian-UK Atlantic Margin
John Millett, Honorary Research Fellow at University of Aberdeen & VBPR UK Ltd
13:40
Coffee Break
Session 5
THE PETROLEUM SYSTEM
Chairman: Jan Helgesen, Vice President, Geophysical Operations at Equinor
14:10
SATLOG, the last piece in the puzzle?
Rasmus Pedersen, Chief Geophysicist & Jan Gunnar Opsal, General Manager at Searcher Geoservices
14:30
West Cable, Ivar Aasen, Hanz - filling history based on Biomarker Oil Chemistry and Reservoir Fluid Geodynamics
Joachim Rinna, Lead Geologist at Aker BP
14:50
RGB, A Software Tool for Quick Analysis and Ranking of Sedimentary Basins According to their Biogenic Generative Potential
Luigi Gugliotti, Exploration Geoscientist at Vår Energi
15:10
3D Basin Modelling used in Play-Mapping in the Barents Sea: Phase Predictions vs Results
Balazs Badics, Senior Geologist at Wintershall DEA
Program Committee
Anette Broch Mathiesen Tvedt
Bent E Kjølhamar
Berit Osnes
Dag Helland-Hansen
Daniel Stoddart
Idar Horstad
Idar Kjørlaug
Jan Helgesen
Olav Antonio Blaich
Rolando di Primio
Vetle Vinje
Finalists
CGG and Lundin for TopSeis
TopSeis is a next-generation marine towed-streamer acquisition solution, delivering a step-change in imaging for shallow to intermediate depth targets by providing massively increased near-offset coverage from a split spread with zero offsets. It is the outcome of five years of technical collaboration between CGG and Lundin Norway AS, with additional funding from the Norwegian Research Council. The first full-scale 2000km2commercial survey over the Loppa High in the Barents Sea was acquired in 2017 with the first processing finished in 2018 providing excellent results compared to the conventional data in the area. An even larger 5000km2 Multi-Client survey over Greater Castberg in the Barents Sea is planned in the summer of 2019.
Earth Science Analytics for EarthNET
Earth Science Analytics (ESA) is developing the next generation software platform that is enabling geoscientists to use artificial intelligence and machine learning for hydrocarbon exploration.
ESA’s EarthNet platform enables faster, less expensive and more accurate prediction of subsurface rock and fluid properties compared to traditional methods.
The company was awarded Subsea Upcoming Company of the Year 2018 by GCE Subsea and has recently been announced to be a winner in the prestigious British Oil & Gas Technology Centre challenge “Can machine learning help unlock the full potential of the North Sea?"
EMGS, Equinor and Shell for DeepBlue
EMGS, Shell and Equinor have since 2012 worked on the Joint Industry Project (“Deep Blue”) to develop a new generation of controlled-source electromagnetic equipment. DEMO 2000 has also contributed to the project. In 2016 a prototype of the new equipment set was successfully tested offshore Norway. The first commercial survey was performed in July 2017. Deep Blue has been used actively in Norway throughout 2018, especially for mature basin surveys in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
Deep Blue increases the depth of investigation well beyond the capabilities of the conventional source systems with a general depth increase of imaging capacity of 1500 meters more than the conventional system. 4500 meters is considered the “new floor” of EM imaging capability. The new source also increases imaging confidence and resolution for targets that can be detected with the conventional source system. Deep Blue can operate in water depths up to 4,000 meters.
All data acquired with Deep Blue confirms the ability to increase sensitivity and resolution through a combination of higher source output, increased frequency bandwidth and better accuracy, which allows imaging deeper and smaller targets.
Nominees

PGS and Equinor for eSeismic
eSeismic was developed by PGS in cooperation with Equinor and the Norwegian Research Council. The method reinvents seismic acquisition and processing, producing an ongoing lower-level ripple of sound, rather than the traditional series of large distinctive impulsive pops. A recent field trial confirmed the benefits of recording continuous source and receiver wavefields, including reduced environmental impact, improved efficiency and better data quality.
5 key benefits
- Environmental: Peak sound pressure levels (SPL) are significantly reduced by distributing the emitted signals in time
- Environmental: Sound exposure levels (SEL) integrated over time can also be reduced
- Efficiency: There are no speed limitations since the method does not require the seismic recording or the sources to be triggered with specific spatial intervals, and no listening time is needed
- Efficiency: Rapid coverage of the target during acquisition by operating several sources simultaneously, and increasing the spread width of the sources
- Excellence: Continuous wavefields deliver uplifts in data quality and spatial sampling of source positions
Seismic Apparition and Equinor for signal apparition
The classic cocktail party problem — how a human can filter out a voice of interest from other voices in a crowded room – has its parallel in seismic acquisition. In a seismic survey, the Earth’s response from one seismic source can be filtered out from many seismic sources fired simultaneously. The trick is to use periodic time delays while shooting. Recorded seismic data are transformed to the spectral domain, where individual source contributions reappear in blended multiple copies at separate wavenumber locations, allowing for exact separation in an optimally wide bandwidth, according to the signal apparition technique developed by the inventors.
Signal apparition is a game-changing advance for highly cost-effective simultaneous source acquisition. It allows time and cost savings by faster acquisition, or denser sampling on the source side for improved seismic imaging. Further, the application of signal apparition gives seismic data with low-frequency content fitting for full-waveform inversion and velocity model building. To date, field projects with 2, 3 and 6 simultaneous sources have been carried out on the NCS for OBN, PRM and streamer seismic.


Planke and Berndt for P-Cable
With short offsets, dense streamer spacing in combination with a high-frequency seismic source, P-Cable 3D Seismic AS has been able to acquire dense CMP coverage with bin sizes as low as 3 m. This is a significantly better resolution than broadband-processed conventional 3D marine seismic. The P-Cable system can be used for both high-resolution 3D acquisition, as elegantly demonstrated in Jurassic fault block prospects in the Barents Sea resulting in data with extreme resolution, and 2D regional surveys where wide-azimuth illumination and high-fold lead to crisp, detailed high-resolution 2D marine seismic profiles. The unique cross-cable design also enables quick deployment of the complete spread of eighteen streamers.
OMV for Wisting Shallow Horizontal Drilling
OMVs horizontal appraisal well on the Wisting discovery in the Barents Sea is the first subsea ultra-shallow reservoir extended well. It is also the world’s shallowest horizontal well drilled from a floating drilling facility. Water depth at Wisting is 402 meters. The well started vertically and was successfully steered into a horizontal orientation within a 250 meters depth interval. The total well length is 2,354 meters and the horizontal section measures 1,402 meters. The well was spudded on January 15, 2016, by the semisubmersible rig Transocean Spitsbergen and the well- test was finalized at the end of March 2016. The well is a prime example of an innovative and courageous move to understand the reservoir in an early exploration phase.


Searcher Geoservices for SATLOG
In many wells, hydrocarbon saturations are masked due to mechanical failure of drilling or logging equipment, overbalance in the drilling mud or poorly calibrated resistivity logs. In critical cases, discoveries may have been totally overlooked. Two years ago, Searcher Geoservices AS began to develop a missed pay analysis (SATLOG) based on composite, conventional well data. The results are extraordinary. The conclusion drawn is that there are still many missed pay opportunities on the Norwegian shelf. The obvious question is then why no one has seen and grasped these before? Searcher Geoservices has since 2016 digitized all of the available analogue well data on the Norwegian shelf. Logs from over 300 wells are ready, and the total database currently represents nearly 1,200 wells. The database is available for use in any interpretation program.
TGS and Polarcus for Triple Source

About the Vote
The open poll is open until midnight May 6th.
Polling results will advise the jury in the selection of the three finalists invited to present at the NCS Exploration on May 21st.
The winner is selected by the jury after the presentation and the quality of the presentation is factored into the jury's decision.
VOTE – Exploration Innovation Prize 2019 Ended
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CGG & Lundin for TopSeis30% 12.6k / 41.2k
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PGS and Equinor for eSeismic6% 2.5k / 41.2k
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Seismic Apparition and Equinor for signal apparition3% 1.4k / 41.2k
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Earth Science Analytics for EarthNET16% 6.6k / 41.2k
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Planke and Berndt for P-Cable2% 1k / 41.2k
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EMGS, Equinor and Shell for developing DeepBlue17% 7k / 41.2k
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OMV for shallow horizontal well on Wisting10% 4.2k / 41.2k
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Searcher Geoservices for SATLOG8% 3.5k / 41.2k
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TGS and Polarcus for Triple Source4% 1.9k / 41.2k
Accommodation
