Evaluating the Hydrocarbon Prospectivity of the Nova-South Area, Offshore Niger Delta

Abstract Reserve replacement is critical for ensuring sustainable growth and energy security for oil-producing nations like Nigeria. Hence, this study aims to highlight the importance of reserve replacement via prospectivity studies, utilizing the available subsurface data to identify new hydrocarbon leads/prospects. The Nova-South Area is flanked by two producing fields (Apex and Titan) and therefore has good potential for holding commercial hydrocarbon volumes. Though the study area is covered by 3D seismic, only one well (Nova-1) has been drilled in the area. The Nova-1 well, an exploratory well, made no discovery. However, the well was drilled using sparse 2D seismic lines prior to the acquisition of 3D seismic in the area. The current availability of 3D seismic in this study has helped to better image the subsurface structures via structural interpretation and seismic attribute analysis, aiding the identification of leads/prospects in the area. The available data for this study are 3D seismic, well tops, gamma-ray, resistivity and sonic logs from Nova-1, and one check-shot data from the neighbouring Apex Field. The methodology employed includes fault interpretation, map generation, time-to-depth conversion, seismic attributes analysis to identify direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHIs), identification of leads/prospects, volumetrics, risking of the volumes via petroleum system risk elements to determine the chance of success (COS), and ranking of the leads/prospects based on potential commercial value. This ranking will determine which prospects will be recommended for drilling and development in the near future. Keywords: Leads, prospects, Nova-South, seismic attributes, direct hydrocarbon indicators, commercial, reserve replacement, volumetrics, risking, ranking