Project: An Innovative Method for Forecasting Oil and Gas Deposits: the Development of Software Modules

BACKGROUND_x000D_All of the traditional approaches to oil and gas deposit forecasting are based on the concept of the biotic genesis of hydrocarbons. According to data presented by the American Petroleum Institute (Fig. 1, Annex 1), four out of five new wells that have been drilled in the USA are 'dry'! The petroleum industry needs, principally, a new technology to be able to increase its forecasting efficiency. Therefore, a method that increases the forecasting success rate, reduces forecasting expenses and, most importantly, shortens the time required for forecasting would be very welcome to the market. The CO principles of the new method developed by the project participants during the last few years are based on the theory of the abiotic deep origin of petroleum, which recognizes that hydrocarbon compounds are generated in the mantle of the Earth and migrate through the deep faults into the crust where they form oil and gas deposits. In our previous investigations, we found that all of the giant oil and gas deposits are located in areas of disjunctive knots – the areas of interference of deep faults zones that COtain their tectonic activity at present. We have also discovered that some of the relief characteristics connect with tectonic actively disjunctive knots. A formal procedure for the selection of these characteristics and an algorithm for the evaluation of the selected areas using these characteristics have been developed. The new method developed offers the possibility of determining the zones of knots that are potential objects for oil and gas forecasting. Preliminary tests (Fig. 2 and Table 1 in Annex 1) confirm the efficiency of the method: more than 75% of the predictions using the new method with giant oil and gas deposits are correct. _x000D__x000D_We applied for a Eurostars grant in 2008 as part of a similar project and received a score that was below the passing threshold. Since that time, the most risky task – improving the informative parameter dealing with the thickness of the sedimentary rock above the selected disjunctive knot – was successfully completed using the private resources of the CO participant (Flotten). The method was completed and presented at several international conferences. The new consortium, including an end-user (Terra), was created for this new project. The CO objective of the project was reshaped and new activities has been formulated._x000D__x000D_PROJECT OBJECTIVE_x000D_The CO objective of the project is to develop software modules for the new, completed method of oil and gas deposit forecasting - a innovative technology based product, that is based on the theory of the abiotic deep origin of petroleum. _x000D__x000D_Measures of success_x000D_(MS1) – the innovative product - completed and tested a computing package for the new method of oil and gas deposit exploration compatible to geo-information databases ARC/INFO._x000D__x000D_The work plan is broken down into 3 work packages:_x000D_o WP1. Research and technological development activities_x000D_Task 1.1. Description of the modules for software development._x000D_Task 1.2. Development of the software modules._x000D_Task 1.3. End user testing of the software modules._x000D_o WP2. Dissemination activities_x000D_Task 2.1. Information dissemination._x000D_Task 2.2. Patent search and knowledge protection._x000D_o WP3. Management and coordinating activities_x000D_Task 3.1. Scientific coordination of the project._x000D_Task 3.2. Overall legal, contractual, ethical, financial, and administrative management._x000D_Task 3.3. Continuous assessment and evaluation._x000D__x000D_MARKET APPLICATION_x000D_A big gap between the petroleum market demand and existing technology level of oil and gas deposit forecasting could be covered, principally, by new revolutionary technology only. At present, this is one of the most important issues for the international petroleum market. The innovative product that we are going to develop in this project is an efficient way of filling the above-mentioned gap. _x000D__x000D_CONSORTIUM_x000D_The coordinating P, Flotten AB (Flotten), is a Swedish R&D SME company that specializes in fundamental and applied research dealing with new revolutionary methods of oil and gas deposit forecasting (www.flotten.se)._x000D_The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) is the biggest university in the Balkans. AUTH will participate in the project through its Chaos and Innovation Research Unit (www.auth.gr/chi). The members of this unit have sound experience and expertise in software development, mathematical modelling, and information processing in complex multiprocessing systems. _x000D_Bunnyfoot Ltd (BF) is a UK R&D SME company providing expertise in human-computer interfaces and the development of the corresponding software modules (www.bunnyfoot.com). _x000D_Terra Energy & Resource Technologies, Inc. (Terra) is a US a publicly-held energy and natural resource exploration technology SME (www.terrainsight.com).

Acronym 4CASTING (Reference Number: 5471)
Duration 01/10/2010 - 28/02/2013
Project Topic Software modules for a new, verified method of forecasting oil and gas deposits will be a new technology-based product with a rapid innovation impact.
Network Eurostars
Call Eurostars Cut-Off 4

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
4 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Partner Greece
4 Bunnyfoot Ltd Partner United Kingdom
4 Flotten AB Coordinator Sweden
4 Terra Energy & Resource Technologies, Inc. Partner United States