As the South Rub Al Khali Company (SRAK) moves ahead with its 2D seismic programme in its 210,000 square kilometre concession in the Rub Al Khali, in Saudi Arabia's southernmost outreaches, 'Shell in the Middle East' travels hundreds of kilometres deep into this remote desert terrain to get a first-hand report on the seismic operations. The 2D seismic survey is one of several survey techniques being used by SRAK to explore for gas and associated liquids in its concession to identify the most prospective locations to start drilling operations. SRAK is a joint venture in which Shell has a 40 per cent shareholding, with Saudi Aramco and Total holding 30 per cent each. The South Rub Al Khali Upstream Project Agreement was signed in Riyadh between the shareholders and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in November 2003. Bobby Schuck brings back the story...
"The 2D seismic survey which we are carrying out will form the back bone of the data which we need to acquire to be able to carry out a successful evaluation of the prospectivity of this vast area of 210,000 square kilometres in the Rub Al Khali," says Patrick Allman-Ward, Chief Executive Officer of the South Rub Al Khali Company.
"The first emphasis is on acquiring a regional grid of 2D seismic data which will help us to update our understanding of the geology of the entire Rub Al Khali basin. The next phase will be focused on maturing prospects as potential locations for exploration drilling.
"There are a whole raft of challenges which face us in this sort of operation, not least of which is the remoteness and harsh conditions of the area and the logistical problems this creates. The surface geomorphology is another major obstacle to be overcome, with sand dunes in excess of 200 metres in some places.
"For the men, who are often working in temperatures in excess of 50 degrees centigrade during the summer months, these conditions are very demanding and heat stroke and dehydration are ever-present concerns.
"Additional technical difficulties face us in the acquisition of the seismic data as thick carbonates intervals in the sub-surface, which overlie our primary deep Palaeozoic objective sequences, absorb much of the energy generated by our surface equipment.
"The sand dunes themselves also create an irregular surface topography which requires sophisticated correction techniques when processing the data.
"Clearly, the operational environment creates a huge number of HSE [Health, Safety and Environment] challenges, especially around the issue of road transport safety and emergency evacuation procedures. However, particular attention is being paid to these issues by SRAK, and I am pleased to say that, working closely with our contractor WesternGeco, we are managing to overcome the challenges.
"Although the area is almost totally uninhabited and very large, the desert is a fragile eco-system. To protect it from any adverse effects from our operations we have carried out an environmental and social impact assessment study [ESIA] and have developed and implemented an action plan to make sure our operations have as little negative impact on the environment as possible.
"WesternGeco was the successful bidder for the contract for this 2D seismic operation and they bring with them an abundance of experience in land 2D seismic acquisition in the Middle East and in working in these sort of remote and harsh conditions.
"Although WesternGeco is working for SRAK as a contractor, we view our relationship with them as a partnership, working together as a team to bring this operation to a safe and successful completion both on time and on budget.
"In addition to the 2D seismic data which we are gathering, SRAK will be using a range of other technologies to enhance our understanding of the Rub Al Khali basin even further and to provide corroborative support for the 2D seismic survey results. These technologies include high-resolution airborne gravity data, seismic spectroscopy, low frequency seismic, magnetotellurics and various methods for surface gas seepage detection.
"We will be evaluating the data as it comes in and if the results are promising we may undertake a more detailed 3D seismic survey over the most attractive prospects in order to optimise three locations in which to drill our first exploration wells by mid-2006.
"It is exciting to be involved in such a fascinating and challenging operation, and I want to thank the people in the field, from both SRAK and WesternGeco, for the tremendous contributions being made by them in such difficult conditions," concludes Patrick.
"WesternGeco is very pleased to have been awarded this contract to carry out the 2D seismic survey of the Rub Al Khali for the South Rub Al Khali Company," says Yasser Elshazly, WesternGeco Country Manager for Saudi Arabia.
"This is one of the most difficult, inhospitable and remote areas in which to operate anywhere in the world. The operation is focused on two areas of the Rub Al Khali, Sharourah in the south and Shaybah in the southeast.
"We are running two seismic crews out of Sharourah, where to date we have acquired some 3,000 linear kilometres of seismic data. A third crew is scheduled to begin operations out of Shaybah in the near future.
"Apart from the 2D seismic survey we are conducting, WesternGeco is also carrying out seismic up-hole drilling. With this method we drill a series of holes between 150 and 500 metres deep. We then lower a logging tool down the hole and use a ground level energy source to generate a signal.
"The logging of the signal is performed every five metres which enables us to build what is referred to as a velocity profile, which will be used to aid the seismic data processing.
"The overall seismic acquisition programme is expected to be completed by November 2005, by which time we will have acquired at least 10,000 kilometres of data.
"WesternGeco has also been awarded the contract, by SRAK, to process the data from this operation, as well as re-processing some data which was acquired back in the 1980s. Having the data processed by WesternGeco in its Al Khobar data processing centre will introduce substantial time savings and will increase efficiency enormously.
"WesternGeco shares the same high standards of HSE [Health, Safety and Environment] with SRAK, which greatly benefits our operations.
"We are also very keen to make sure that our operations leave the least possible impact on this fragile environment in which we work.
"WesternGeco looks forward to safely and successfully completing this project on time and on budget with the very best data quality," concludes Yasser.
"The seismic acquisition operation which WesternGeco is carrying out for SRAK is very, very challenging," says Andy Jennings, Operations Manager for WesternGeco.
"The logistics are extremely difficult due to the fact that the distance between our operational area and the nearest civilisation and supply centre is about 500 kilometres. Add to that the fact that we are operating in a remote desert with no roads and in temperatures which exceed 50 degrees centigrade in the summer and you begin to get an idea of the difficulties.
"With an operation like this, which has over 500 people carrying out a wide variety of jobs and 140 vehicles operating in this remote environment, the supply of food, water, fuel and other provisions is critical to the safe and efficient functioning of the operation and to its ultimate success.
"The desert is a harsh environment in which to operate any sort of machinery and we suffer a number of breakdowns, punctures and malfunctions of machinery and equipment. Even specifically designed machinery and equipment is tested to its limits in this environment and is prone to failures not experienced elsewhere. Keeping it all working tests the resolve of some of the very best mechanics and technicians.
"We have four camps out in the desert and as the seismic survey operation moves from one area of the Rub Al Khali to another, so the camps have to move as well. Moving four camps, each with up to 30 or 40 trailers which contain accommodation units, toilet and shower facilities, as well as catering and office space, through miles and miles of desert is no small task.
"Camp sites have to be identified and surveyed in advance, the ground levelled and prepared, waste pits dug and communications systems established.
"The main base camp, which is our supply centre and operational headquarters, has 70 staff and the seismic quality control, medical and mechanical units. Further into the desert we have two 'fly camps' which house the two crews who are carrying out all the field work of acquiring the seismic data. They are responsible for laying out the arrays of thousands of geophones, and moving the lines every day.
"These crews have some 160 plus personnel and 70 vehicles each. This includes six vibroseis trucks which are used to provide the energy source for the survey. Each crew also has a recording truck which collects and records the data.
"The recording truck is the hub of the data acquisition recording operation, where the observers operate the central system which collects the geophone data and records it to tape for quality control and processing later on back at base camp.
"Further fly camps are fielded, if necessary, for the surveyors who precede the recording crews in the field. They are responsible for preparing the ground and identifying and pegging the exact locations at which the geophones should be placed using a GPS [Global Positioning System].
"Many areas in which we are working are inaccessible to our crews and equipment and have to be cleared by a team of heavy bulldozers which form part of the survey team. Line clearance is not just about clearing suitable access for the line operations. The bulldozer pusher who guides the bulldozer teams needs to be conversant with all the appropriate environmental guidelines which will affect his decision on where to place the tracks.
"The area which we are surveying is in excess of 100,000 square kilometres and the distance from the nearest road to the base camp is some 300 kilometres. The distances between base camp and the fly camps are also fairly large and range from 100 to 250 kilometres. A seismic crew might have to travel as far as 100 kilometres from their fly camp through the desert each day to reach their operating location.
"So keeping it all together and making sure we lose neither people nor equipment is a full-time job," concludes Andy.
"Vic Bridgett and I are both Land Seismic Specialists, and we both work for RPS Hydrosearch, which is a British company specialising in providing seismic quality control consultants to the oil and gas industry," says Joe Pasieka.
"SRAK has contracted with RPS Hydrosearch to provide four consultants - of which we are two - to represent their interests during WesternGeco's seismic acquisition operations here in the Rub Al Khali. Our task is focused on technical and logistical supervision.
"With regards to the technical side of the operation, we have to ensure that the seismic data which is acquired by WesternGeco is of the highest possible standard.
"This involves making sure that the various electronic and mechanical equipment which is being used in the seismic operation is performing correctly to both the client's and the equipment manufacturers' specifications and is being tested regularly to confirm that."
Taking up the story, Vic Bridgett says, "This relates to the electronic recording and surveying equipment and instruments, the vibroseis vibrator trucks, the data transmission cables and the thousands and thousands of geophones which are used to record the energy waves.
"We act as the eyes and ears of SRAK on site. We advise the contractor, WesternGeco, of any potential shortfalls which we come across and which we feel might adversely affect the quality of the data being collected.
"This operation here in the Rub Al Khali is all about collecting high quality seismic data which will then allow the client to plan the development of this enormous concession.
"So our job is to make sure that this is carried out according to the contract and to best industry practices, such as on-site quality assurance. As both Joe and I have many years' experience in seismic data acquisition operations, we are both well-qualified to oversee the implementation of the contract and to protect SRAK's interests," concludes Vic.
"The provision of top quality, professional best-practice, pre-hospital care and the ability to evacuate seriously ill and injured personnel is essential to any kind of long-term, remote desert operation," says Warwick Allen, Paramedic at the WesternGeco base camp deep in the Rub Al Khali.
"However, in a situation such as this, far into the Rub Al Khali, where we have four staff camps as far as 500 kilometres from the nearest hospital, the need for a rapid, responsive and efficient medical evacuation service to a definitive centre of care for the patients can be a matter of life and death.
"Recently we carried out a MedEvac exercise to simulate a serious incident at the base camp. We carried it out with the co-operation and help of a Saudi Arabian Military MedEvac team, using a customised Black Hawk helicopter.
"The Black Hawk was mobilised to fly from the Hamish Military Airbase, north of Sharourah, two and a half hours' flying time away, to our base camp. The helicopter picked up and evacuated a staff member whose medical condition, for the purposes of the exercise, was diagnosed as suffering from multiple trauma received from a fall.
"The patient was then to be flown to the Sharourah Military Hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment. If any patient's injuries prove to be too serious to be dealt with in Sharourah then he will be evacuated to Riyadh, or another location, to a centre of medical excellence for specialist treatment.
"However, whilst we are prepared for the very worst of incidents, the majority of my work involves routine medical cases of a fairly minor nature. This involves carrying out medical checks on all staff and visitors who come out to our area of operations, as well as many other QHSE [Quality, Health, Safety and Environment] duties.
"Most of the time I deal with day-to-day medical issues which range from skin conditions, caused by too much exposure to the sun and the heat, to such things as minor cuts and bruises. Most complaints of a minor nature can be dealt with in our on-site clinic and are not serious enough to recommend that the patient stops work.
"I am pleased to say, however, that WesternGeco maintains a very high HSE standard throughout all its operations and that the number of injuries has been very, very low.
"I am a trained Paramedic with 27 years' experience. I have worked in remote and isolated areas throughout the world, and have chalked up over 1,700 hours with the Royal Flying Doctors and Rescue Helicopters in Australia. The clinic here at Base Camp is equipped to a very high standard and has been given a great deal of support by our client, the South Rub Al Khali Company.
"The equipment meets international standards for the transport of critically ill patients and includes such items as a dedicated intensive care monitoring system and other best-practice pre-hospital medical care equipment.
"So I am pleased to say that whilst we are prepared for the very worst of eventualities, we hope, of course, that we will never have to use much of this equipment," concludes Warwick.
© Shell in the Middle East 2005
