Brown, P. Jeffrey1
(1) Exploration Analysis, Incorporated, Grapevine, TX
ABSTRACT: Strategic Play Analysis – Advantages of a Fully Stochastic Approach
Most oil firms utilize established methods for quantifying the chance of success, and
uncertainty of success-case volume/value outcomes, for individual prospects. Many firms
routinely assess the overall volumetric ‘running room’, or aggregated
undiscovered potential, of geologically defined plays – traditional play analysis. A
smaller, but growing body of oil firms has come to recognize the importance of strategic
play analysis to their business process.
Strategic play analysis differs from traditional, geology-driven play analysis in that it
assesses the impact of an individual company executing an exploration program in an area
defined by both geology and strategy. Often, portions of geologic plays, or areas with
stacked plays, are assessed, and generally over a 5-year activity window.
Results address volumes found, value generated, efficiency (to find, and to find and
produce), risked capital exposure, and overall chance of program economic success. Using
this straightforward and powerful method, a company can construct an inventory of plays
from which to select a portfolio that best fits corporate strategy.
This paper will review the method and mathematics, and show recent advances afforded by
applying a fully probabilistic approach, including:
modeling partial dependence (e.g., between discovery size and unit NPV)
flexibility with distributions used in analysis (e.g., triangular vs. lognormal)
varying threshold volumes at different phases of exploration life (e.g., play-opening vs.
commercial)
data-fitting, sensitivity analysis, and reporting capabilities built into stochastic
engines (Crystal Ball® and @RISK®)
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.