Abstract

Cauvery Basin, located in southern part of India, is known for hydrocarbon accumulations in different plays, ranging from fractured basement to Oligocene. The basin is known for complex reservoir occurrences in different settings and hence, the risk component in exploration is of prime concern in the area. A prospect was identified in the Kamalapuram area of the basin, to the northwest of the main established productive area. Before taking up drilling of the prospect, a seismic inversion study was carried out by using existing 3-D seismic and well data in the area. The study helped in generating desired confidence in respect of presence of reservoir facies in the prospect area. Subsequent drilling of the prospect led to discovery of a new pool of oil. The study has established the utility of seismic inversion for reducing the risk in exploration.