The 4D value journey at ExxonMobil

From our earliest internal discussions on 4D technology through the 4D projects we are operating today, ExxonMobil has been focused on understanding how 4D can help maximize the value of our assets for all stakeholders. First, 4D had to overcome doubts that it could achieve the data quality necessary to provide meaningful value relative to its cost by demonstrating useful results in practice. Once 4D had demonstrated value in its earliest applications, the next hurdle was understanding the value it could provide in as yet untested geologic environments. This hurdle was managed by identifying and predicting the value of specific actions that could be impacted by the integration of 4D interpretations into reservoir depletion plans such as drilling new wells, workovers on existing wells, removing suboptimal wells from the rigline and updating reservoir models used for long term asset management. The next hurdle is to move into the value space where day-to-day reservoir management decisions can be impacted by 4D. This will mean focusing on equipment, procedures and efficiencies that make it cost-effective to acquire, process and interpret 4D data at a timescale relevant to field management decisions.