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a valid target,” asserts Robert. “We’ve
demonstrated that there is permeability
in the granite that can support
commercial flow. What logic is there
to say that this is confined to the west
of Shetland? Basement underpins the
North Sea, from the central North Sea all
the way to Ireland and so I think there’s
sufficient evidence to get people looking
underneath the conventional traps
and reservoirs.”
Firedup
Hurricane’s approach has its origins in
Robert’s early years in the industry. The
graduate in geography and geology
from the College of St Paul and St Mary
Cheltenhamhadn’t planned a career in oil
and gas. “When I was studying I thought
perhaps mining or field geologymight
bemy thing; quite frankly I thought
fractures were themost boring thing you
could study. I couldn’t see any interest in
themwhatsoever,” he admits.
Having decided to join Stratographic
Services International (SSI) in the late
1980s, Robert unwittingly embarked
on a professional journey that has put
fractured basement reservoirs front and
centre of his career.
He spent five years working with SSI
before joining Enterprise Oil. His role with
the exploration and production company
saw himworking on fractured reservoirs
in Italy, Greece and Norway. “I actually
found it very interesting because of the
new borehole imaging technology and
the ideas around predicting how these
fracture networks behave,” he explains.
“In the UK, the workforce is used to
sandstone production but you have to
think differently when dealing with >
Profile | Hurricane Energy
Our results support the argument that fractured
basement is a valid target. We’ve demonstrated that
there is permeability in the granite that can support
commercial flow. What logic is there to say that this
is confined to the west of Shetland?
“
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Image courtesy of Daren Cook Design