OCTIO Gravitude recently acquired gravimetry and depth data of unprecedented quality on the Snøhvit, Albatross and Askeladd fields with gWatch technology
Gravitude’s technology allows measuring tiny changes in the gravitational field and deformations of the seabed in time lapses of years. Such measurements can be interpreted in terms of fluid flow and deformation in the reservoirs and allow oil companies to exploit their hydrocarbon reserves more efficiently.
The quality of both gravity and seafloor depth data is evaluated by comparing the results of repeated gravity and depth data measurements performed at the same locations. The survey on the Snøhvit, Albatross and Askeladd gas fields provided unprecedented data quality and the results of the gravity data are the best on any offshore survey to date.
The gWatch technology was previously deployed successfully on the Aasta Hansteen and Ormen Lange fields in 2018.
License partner companies on the Aasta Hansteen field are Equinor Energy AS (operator), Petoro AS, Total E&P Norge AS, Neptune Energy Norge AS and DEA Norge AS.
There are typically three reservoir parameters that relate, directly or indirectly, to the observations: Aquifer strength from gravity measurements, pressure depletion and pore compressibility from subsidence. The aquifer strength is important for understanding material balance and the energy drivers in your reservoir. This has an impact on estimates of in-place volumes, remaining reserves, production profiles and the value of IOR/IGR measures. Subsidence, which is related to pressure depletion, can indicate sealing faults. For some depletion-drive fields, pore compressibility can be an important uncertainty parameter, and there is no other way of constraining this than measuring seafloor subsidence.