Introduction

Gelama Merah field is located in the offshore of Sabah Basin. It was believed that the
field is located nearby the Semarang Asam Paya Production Sharing Contract which in East
Malaysia at Sabah offshore. This field which is about 45 miles (72km) northwest of the
Labuan Gas Terminal is surrounded by shallow reed with the water depth of 30 feet (9m).
The location of the Gelama Merah field is shown in the figure below. Sabah, located in the
northern part of Borneo, lies at an important junction between the Eurasian, Indo-Australian,
Pacific and Philippines Sea plates. The Sabah Basin, which is located in North West of
Sabah, is mainly offshore while the other two basins cover some areas in the North East and
South East of onshore Sabah.

The Geographical Coordinate of Gelama Merah is 05° 33’ 49.98° N, 114° 59’ 06.34°E. There
are three well on Gelama Merah field which is Gelama Merah 1, Gelama Merah ST-1 and
finally Gelama Putih. The last and most recent tie-in to Samarang Asam Paya PSC is from
the nearby Sumandak field. The fault that is occurred in Gelama Merah is regional wrench
fault.

Sabah basin is located in North West of Sabah which is mainly offshore. Water depth
of the field is around 50m.
Exploration opportunities

The exploration of Sabah Basin was carried out by numerous type of oil companies. A
number of initiatives by PETRONAS and PSC contractors to test new play-types and
continuous studies to mature plays have resulted in recent discoveries. The success story
begins with the discovery of Gelama Merah by Gelama Merah 1 were drilled in September
2001. Then, seven more exploration well were drilled on the same play in the area between
2001 until 2003.

To date, twenty-eight (28) development wells have been drilled on Gelama Merah
area and the fields are currently on production. In order to further explore the hydrocarbon
potential of this area, a regional study with sequence stratigraphic approach was carried out in
2008. The main objective of this study is to generate stratigraphic framework of Sumandak
that can be correlated to the Sabah regional chronostratigraphic framework.

The generated stratigraphic framework will help to facilitate interpretation in the

Block SB310 and surrounding areas. In addition, the study was also aimed to identify any
upside hydrocarbon potential for further exploration. The approach adopted in this study was
based on Exxon’s techniques (Van Wagoner et. al. 1990) which defined Sequence Boundary
(SB) as a product of relative falls is sea level.
 Seismic data and well data (logs, cores & biostratigraphic data were used to identify
major bounding surfaces in order to establish a framework in which genetically related facies
can be studied and a realistic depositional model can be constructed.

Dimensional Cross section

The depth of cross section was drawn to visualize the contour line in two dimensional views
that is obtained from the surface map. The vertical and horizontal cross sections were both
plotted using Microsoft Excel. The x-axis represents the horizontal line while the y-axis
represent the thickness of each zone.

The Water Oil Contact (WOC) is found to be at 1507m TVDSS while the Gas Oil
Contact (GOC) is at 1467m TVDSS. The distance between both wells is calculated to be
approximately 550m. From the plotted point, it can be seen that there is no minor or major
fault detected. The top zones from U3.2 to U9.1 can be see were slightly eroded. Zone U9.2
from the figures is set to be the base reservoir which confines the boundary of the reservoir.
 HORIZONTOL CROSS SECTION OF GM-1
Distance, m GM-

274000 276000 278000

1200 3
.4 GM- GM-1
1250 25 ST-1
1300
6
7
1350 8
Depth, m

9
1400
9
1450 . GOC =
1 1467m
1500

9 OWC =
1550
. 1507m
1600 2

It can be seen that the oil accumulation are distributed at a thick layer at zone U9.0, U9.1 and
U9.2 as shown in the multi-layered reservoir in Figure 2.3. The thin oil layered are showed
above the GOC is at zone U3.2, U5.0 and U9.0 above the GOC level. tectonic might have
caused another possible uplift that gives the Gelama Merah the current anticlinal shape it has
now. The hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs in Gelama Merah area are represented by topset 2D
cross section and also quick-look method from the logs proven by Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
calculations

Regional Geology

 East Baram Delta (EBD) divided from SE to NW.

 Dominated by growth faults, transitional zone formed by delta slope.

 Sabah Basin contain post-early middle Miocene succession.

 Overlying the Oligocene-early Miocene and others

The Sabah Basin contains 12-km thick Neogene sediments that were deposited within
the deep marine and progradational shelf slope environment. There are six
 tectonostratigraphic provinces are identified in Sabah Basin which is Rajang Group Fold-
Thrust Belt, Inboard Belt, Baram Delta, Outboard Belt, North West Sabah Trough and
North West Sabah Platform.

There are four major tectonics event occurred in Sabah Basin that contribute to the fault
alignment; 1) development and depositional during syn-riff phase(Eocene–Oligocene),
2)transgression of deltaic deposits of during late syn-riff phase(Late Oligocene-Early
Miocene), 3) marked by tectonic quiescence during Middle Miocene, and 4) Inversion and
folding of tectonics during Middle Miocene-Pleistocene.

The tectonic setting and basin evolution of the Sabah Basin is very much related to
the closing of the proto-South China Sea/ Rajang Sea. The opening of the South China Sea
since Oligocene causing microcontinents of Dangerous Grounds and Reed Bank to drift and
collide with Sabah margin. Active tectonic plate movements throughout Eocene and Miocene
have resulted in the development of different provinces across Sabah Basin hence creating
the Inboard Belt and East Baram Delta where the Gelama Merah is located. According to the
regional setting of the Inboard Belt and East Baram Delta, Gelama Merah field is located
within a series of progradational deltaic system where rapid sedimentation was observed
forming the top set, fore set and bottom set facies. In each successive deltaic system, the
basin depocenter moved further offshore to the northwest.
Petroleum system

Source Rock
Success in the preservation of organic matter in the NW Sabah Basin seems to be
related to the high primary terrigenous productivity, high sediment accumulation rates and
the resistant nature of the Type III higher land plant waxes to oxidation and biodegradation.
Interestingly, as much of the Sabah shelf tended to be oxic during Middle Miocene, it appears
that anoxic depositional conditions were not essential for organic matter preservation. In
origin, deposited in generally oxic environments such as deltaic/peat swamps, brackish
mangrove swamps and lagoons.

2.3.2 Migration
The timing of maturation varies from Middle Miocene to the present. Most of the area is still
undergoing subsidence. Migration along faults is probably a major method of migration
though many faults act as seals. Some migration through sedimentary facies has presumably
occurred, especially in an up dip direction from condensed intervals.

2.3.3 Reservoir Rock

Reservoir rocks for Gelama Merah field consist of interbedded sandstone with thin shales
layer of non-reservoir. Upper shoreface sandstones of regressive parasequence sets and
fluvial and tidal sandstones filling incised valleys cut during lowstands. The depositional
environments for each sandstone reservoir differ with the stratigraphy. The primary
depositional environment, burial diagenesis and mineralogical contents of the reservoir
sandstone play an important role in the quality of the reservoir in Sabah Basin. Formation that
was deposited during middle to upper Miocene contains reservoir rocks that are deposited in
fluvial-deltaic, coastal plain and shallow marine environment (Madon M., 1994). These strata
contains medium to very fine grained sandstone with porosity value that more than 30% and
1000mD permeability value (Bishop, 2002).

2.3.4 Trap & Seals

Most producing reservoirs are anticlinal features. This can be shown through the horizontal
cross of the contour map in Figure 2.3. Based on the location of basin it is either rollover
anticlines produced by growth faulting or anticlinal features associated with morris faults.
Some reservoirs are related entirely to sealing against faults. The seals are either marine
flooding surfaces or faults within reservoirs. Furthermore, there are also stratigraphic traps
unrelated to anticlinal features according to the basin where the Gelama Merah located.

Stratigraphy and well correlation

The correlation is done across well Gelama Merah-1 (GM-1) to well Gelama Merah-1 ST1
(GM-1 ST1). Top and base sand unit correlation data are given for GM-1 and GM-1 ST1.
Quality check of gamma ray log response is being used in order to identify the lithology of
the formation. Sand and shale unit identification is done using quick look method. Figure 2.4
illustrates the stratigraphic correlation from sand and shale distribution from the log response.

9.0

9.1

9.2

The irregular reading

of GR ( low and high )
indicate
Sand formation
interbedding with
shale
The purpose of conducting well correlation is to observe the lithology between wells in the field.
Sand unit was used in making the correlation between well. By comparing with resistivity logs at
the same sand units, Gelama Merah 1 and Gelama Merah ST-1 wells shows the existence of the
hydrocarbon in the same sand units. However, the fluid type is different when comparing using
neutron density logs. In conclusion att same sand unit the pattern of GR log is almost same.
Indicate the same lithology of the well. This prove that both well are interconnected in terms of
the reservoir characteristics.

Depositional environment

Deposition and preservation of organic matter in the Gelama Merah field can be assume
likely the offshore North West Sabah Basin occurred in three broad palaeoenvironments. For
example, 1) coastal-lower coastal plain environments comprising inter-channel swamps,
back-mangrove swamps, lagoonal and inter-distributary areas, 2) fluviomarine environments,
and 3) continental shelf-deep marine areas.

The specific environment in which sediments are deposited is the depositional

environment as shown as in Figure 2.5. The other term that is refer as depositional
environment is sedimentary environments. Each layer of the depositional environment that
accumulate in the layer of the sediment will vary its characteristics that will give the vital
information about the geologic history of that area. The characteristics of the sedimentary
environment including its lithology (which is typically the rock type), its structure and any
fossil that it may contain can be observed and measured in a sedimentary rock.
Figure 2.5 – Depositional Environment

Gelama Merah which is located in Sahah Basin area which likely has the depositional
environment that is dominated by the deltaic environment. Depositional facies and burial
diagenesis influence the reservoir quality in the Gelama Merah field which commence during
late Eocene and Early Miocene. There are less considerable variation in size and sorting of
the grain that was observed within the sand body contained in the units of the interest based
on the core data.

Gamma ray (GR) log correlation is used to aid the findings Figure 2.7 in order to
prove the theory of the depositional environment. Gamma ray log response will give two
indications, first, high reading of the log will indicate the shale zone (non-permeable) , second,
the deflection of gamma ray to the left shows the permeable zone while).

There are several serrated and smooth patterns for both cylinder and bell shape that
can aid in interpreting further information on the environments of the zone interest based on
the interpretation of logging from Petrophysicist. Abrupt changes in gamma-ray logs
response are commonly related to sharp lithological breaks associated with unconformities
and sequence boundaries (Krassay, 1998). The five log trends (figure 2.6) are bell shape
(upwards increasing in gamma counts), funnel shape (upward decrease in gamma counts),
box-car or cylindrical (relatively consistent gamma readings), bow shape (systematic increase
and decrease of gamma counts) and irregular trend (no systematic change in gamma values).

Figure 2.6 : Gamma-ray log trends

In Gelama Merah field there are three types of depositional environment that can be found
based on the shape of the Gamma-ray logs. The log is shown in the Figure 2.7.

Shape Serrated Environments

Cylinder Deltaic distributaries
Represents uniform deposition Turbdite channels
Proximal deep-sea fans

Bell Shape Lacustrine sands

Fining upwards sequences Deltaic distributaries
Turbdite channels
Proximal deep-sea fans
 Funnel Shape Distributary mouth bars
Coarsening upward sequences Delta marine fringe
Distal deep-sea fans

The gamma ray log is often used to measure the shaliness of a formation. In reality the
shaliness often does not change suddenly, but occurs gradually with depth. Such gradual
changes are indicative of the litho-facies and the depositional environment of the rock, and
are associated with changes in grain size and sorting that are controlled by facies and
depositional environment as well as being associated with the shaliness of the rock.

Volumetric Calculation

According to James et al, the Gross Rock Volume (GRV), is the volume of rock between a
top and base reservoir surface and above a known or postulated hydrocarbon-water contact in
a geological trap. By using plannimeter GRV is calculated from each of the sand unit. The
average of GRV for each layer has calculated to estimate the Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place
(STOIIP) and Gas Initially in Place (GIIP).

Trapezium formula is used to calculate the GRV.

( A1 + A2)
GRV = x H
2

A1 = area of top sand unit, acre

A2 = area of base sand unit, acre

H = thickness of sand unit, ft

Table below shows the base case calculation for GRV

 Sand Unit Thickness (m) Thickness (ft) Area (Acre) GRV (Acre-ft)

3.2 22.31 73.19554 4.848057 1360.183

32.31769

4 12.1 39.69816 55.87021 2911.152

90.7941

5 7.32 24.01575 95.36631 2500.705

112.8891

6 8.48 27.82152 138.1935 4391.302

177.4832

7 27.44 90.02625 198.8886 24509.11

345.5995

8 27.76 91.07612 360.9586 40028.04

518.0433

9 48.23 158.2349 535.963 123578.4

1025.998

9.1 12.46 40.87927 1119.941 49856.92

1319.286

9.2 52.27 171.4895 1627.489 330968.2

2232.435

TOTAL 580104

STOIIP and GIP

The deterministic method was applied for the calculation of Gross Rock Volume (GRV)
to estimate Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place (STOIIP) and Gas Initially in Place (GIIP). The
calculation of the Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place (STOIIP) and Gas Initially in Place (GIIP) is
done using the following equations:
STOIIP = 7758 × GRV × NTG × Ø × So / Bo
Eq. (2.1)

Where,

STOIIP: Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place, STB

7758 : Conversion factor from acre-ft to bbl

GRV : Gross Rock Volume, acre-ft

NTG : Net to Gross

Ø : Porosity

So : Oil Saturation

Bo : Oil Formation Volume Factor, bbl/STB

GIIP = 43560 × GRV × NTG × Ø × Sg / Bg

Eq. (2.2)

Where,

GIIP : Gas Initially in Place, SCF

43560 : Conversion Factor from acre-ft to ft3

GRV : Gross rock Volume, acre-ft

NTG : Net to Gross

Ø : Porosity

Sg : Gas Saturation: Gas Formation Volume Factor, cu.ft/SCF

HIP calculation considered some possibility of some case scenario that will happen. If the
structure is anticline (best case), it will give maximum values of Net to Gross (N/G), Porosity (ϕ)
and hydrocarbon saturation. For discontinuous isolated sand structure (worse case) it will give
minimum value of Net to Gross (N/G) and hydrocarbon saturation. Meanwhile, if the structure is
anticline with unconformity, it will give median values of Net to Gross (N/G), Porosity (ϕ), and
hydrocarbon saturation.
 Su GRV Porosity Sw So Sg NTG Bo Bg Stoiip GIP

3.2 2327.22 0.27 0.36 0.64 0.64 0.62 0.01 10624721

674 92
4 3523.59 0.27 0.35 0.65 0.65 0.57 0.01 15245236
3709 79
5 3015.31 0.28 0.36 0.64 0.6 0.60 0.01 14038690
3525 74
6 5450.00 0.23 0.55 0.45 0.45 0.41 0.01 10093824
5844 33
7 28706.6 0.29 0.34 0.66 0.66 0.62 0.01 14707416
0176 603
8 47221.7 0.29 0.24 0.76 0.76 0.55 0.01 25463065
6907 915
9 55789.2 0.28 0.31 0.69 0.69 0.76 0.01 35682840
8925 115
9 50467.4 0.28 0.31 0.69 0.69 0.76 1.169 484407
478 06.45
9.1 59307.5 0.26 0.51 0.49 0.49 0.73 1.169 370396
6855 24.67
9.2 359430. 0.28 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.64
2771
Total 854803 80853570
31.12 011

MOST
MINIMUM MAXIMUM
LIKELY

STOIIP
65.6 85.48 88.15
(MMbbl)

GIP
56.84 80.85 97.67
(MMMscf)

Uncertainties

Uncertaintiess in the structure and volume of supply are the primary factors that
impacted the volumetric computation. In Gelama Merah field, there couple of vulnerabilities
were distinguished as underneath:
 1) There are potential outcomes that the territory determined for every unit from U3.2
to U9.2 may not be right because of mistake in deciding the genuine size of structure map just
as planimeter application.

2) Other vulnerabilities are in the term of GRV computation. The region of the store
was determined by utilizing plannimeter, change of unit in any estimation may contain
human blunder.

3) Core investigation did not give adequate data on the sand dissemination all through
the Gelama Merah zone. There are still high vulnerabilities with respect to the heterogeneity
of the sands and furthermore the complexities of the snare because of the unconformity.

4) The seismic information are not accessible. Consequently, seal and trap of Gelama
Merah field was not unmistakably distinguished.

5) Lack of well connection information. There are only two arrangements of well log
are accessible, from Gelama Merah 1 and Gelama Merah ST-1. Accordingly, to have better
assessment of the congruity of supply over the field, the well information ought to be
included.