Publications

Statoil, with its partner NIKO Resources for SKKMigas, started offshore exploration in the Southern Halmahera basin in late 2011. The basin and the Halmahera II block are undrilled and underexplored to date. We have now completed initial studies and fieldwork and are preparing for new seismic acquisition in 2013. This poster will discuss this early fieldwork and our initial thoughts on the prospectivity of the area. We will also touch on initial thoughts and studies of CSR and environmental aspects of exploration in this sensitive area. Two key reservoir and play intervals have been identified in early work: carbonate members of the Yarifi Fm (Oligo–Miocene–Kais carbonate equivalents) and a potential new play concept of steep slope collapse, re-deposited, carbonates of Waigeo Fm equivalents (Late Miocene–Pliocene). However, the only rocks exposed within the Halmahera II block are extensive volcanics and volcaniclastics of the mapped Yarifi Fm age on Klaarbeck Island. We, therefore, sought to test this hypothesis of potentially productive carbonate facies by visiting the islands that border the southern and eastern rim of the Halmahera II basin and by extensive sampling of these areas – the islands of Kofiau, Boo, and Klaarbeck. We also contrast these results to the well-exposed islands of Gag, Pelemu, Fam, and Bantanta and the sole exploration well in the area – Bantanta A-1x. The northern extent of the Sorong Fault system and * Statoil ** NIKO Resources splays of the main fault plate vital structural control on the basin timing, reservoir, trap, and re-deposited carbonate reservoir formation. We synthesize our initial findings of the key carbonate reservoir systems and the new ideas of structural control in this complex area. We hope that by combining field studies, bathymetry, and seep coring with fresh seismic data that we can move to drilling the Halmahera II block with confidence. Keywords: Halmahera, exploration, fieldwork, Statoil, NIKO