© IPA, 2006 - 29th Annual Convention Proceedings, 2003

IPA03-G-141

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Twenty-Ninth Annual Convention & Exhibition, October 2003

THE ABADI GAS FIELD

H. Nagura* H. MP Bandjarnahor*
I. Suzuki* K. Kihara*
T. Teramoto* T. Swiecicki**
Y. Hayashi* R. Bird***
T. Yoshida*

ABSTRACT Utilizing this framework, a full-field 3D model is

currently being developed to better characterize the
The Abadi field is Indonesia’s first discovery in the likely range of reserves and to provide the basis for a
Middle Jurassic Plover Formation. This potentially more accurate understanding of the economic value of
giant gas discovery is located some 350 km east of Abadi.
Timor Island and 350 km north of Darwin, Australia.
It lies just north of the international boundary with
INTRODUCTION
Australia, in 400-800 m water depth. The Masela
Production Sharing Contract (PSC) was awarded to
The Abadi gas field was discovered in late 2000 with
Inpex as Operator with 100% interest in November
the successful drilling of the Abadi-1 well. The field
1998. The discovery well Abadi-1 was drilled and
is located within the Masela PSC block in the eastern
completed in late 2000. Following discovery, a 2,060
part of the Timor Sea, Eastern Indonesia, along the
km2 3D seismic survey was acquired in 2001 and two
Indonesia -Australia international boundary (Figure 1).
successful appraisal wells were drilled in 2002. Approximately 100 km north of the block, the Babar
Islands and Tanimbar Islands follow an east-west
Geologically, the field comprises relatively
trend along the outer ridge of the Banda Arc. The
undeformed Australian continental margin that
block name of Masela originates from one of these
extends into Indonesian waters. It lies on the eastern
islands. The deep Timor Trough with more than
extremity of the Sahul Platform and occupies a large
1,500 m water depth lies between the island arc and
tilted fault block bounded to the east and south by the
the block. The Masela Block is on the upper slope
Calder-Malita Grabens. The accumulation contains a area of the Australian Continental Shelf with
significant gas column, reservoired within shallow associated water depths ranging from 300 m to 1,000
marine, highly mature, quartzose sandstone of the m.
Middle Jurassic Plover Formation. Close analogues
are to be found in the giant Greater Sunrise and Bayu-
Active exploration work was conducted on the
Undan fields. Reservoir quality, at a depth of ~3,900
Australian side of the Timor Sea from the mid 1960s,
m, varies from surprisingly good to poor, reflecting a
and the discovery wells of the Sunrise-Troubadour
complex interaction of primary depositional controls
gas fie ld were drilled in the early stages (Troubadour-
and later diagenetic influences. A preliminary 1 in 1974, Sunrise-1 in 1975). Although exploration
estimate of reserves size is about 5 TCF. efforts were halted in the Timor Gap area in the late
1970s and 1980s by the boundary dispute between
Inpex has undertaken a variety of exploration projects
Indonesia and Australia, the discoveries of the Evans
and studies, including high-resolution sequence
Shoal gas field (Evans Shoal-1 in 1988) and the Bayu
stratigraphy and seismic -driven paleofacies
Undan gas field (Bayu-1 in 1995) were eventually
reconstructions to model the reservoir architecture.
added to the area’s commercial reserves. Some of
these fields are now on track for development. On the
* Inpex Masela, Ltd.
** Cerberus Consultants other hand, no exploration work was conducted on the
*** P.T. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia Indonesian side of the Timor Sea until Geco-Prakla
shot a 2,594 km 2D spec seismic survey in 1996
under an arrangement with MIGAS.
Following Geco-Prakla’s spec survey, Pertamina
opened the Masela Block PSC tender on October 19,
1997, together with the adjacent Leti Block. Inpex
conducted a regional evaluation using the Geco-
Prakla data together with open file seismic and well
data from the Australian side. The prospectivity was
assessed, and a bid was submitted to Pertamina for
the Masela PSC on April 3, 1998. The Masela PSC
was awarded to Inpex and the PSC was signed on
November 16, 1998, between Inpex and Pertamina
with the witness and approval of MIGAS.
Inpex Masela, Ltd. was established as the project
company to execute the exploration program with
financial support from the Japan National Oil
Corporation. This paper summarizes the exploration
activities conducted in the Masela Block to date.
REGIONAL SETTING
The Abadi field lies within the Northern Bonaparte
Basin, on the Sahul Platform at the eastern end of the
Sunrise-Troubadour High (Figure 2). It is bounded to
the east by the Masela Deep, which is the northern
extension of the Calder Graben. The Malita Graben
lies further to the southwest and accommodates thick
Cretaceous-Tertiary sediments. The northwest
trending Goulburn Graben, with thick Paleozoic
sediments, is located to the southeast. The Timor
Trough lies to the north.
Approximately 250 km west of Abadi, the Sunrise-
Troubadour gas field (proved & probable recoverable
reserves: 8.4 TCF; public information from Northern
Territory Government of Australia) occupies the axis
of the Sunrise-Troubadour High. The Evans Shoal
gas field (proved & probable recoverable reserves:
6.6 TCF; public information from Northern Territory
Government of Australia) is approximately 150 km
southwest of Abadi between the Sunrise-Troubadour
High and Malita Graben.
Development of the Northern Bonaparte Basin was
influenced by rifting and continental separation in
middle Jurassic to early Cretaceous times along the
northwestern Australian margin, and later modified
by the collision between the Indo-Australian and
Sunda plates from the Miocene to the present
(Whittam et al. 1996).
The lithostratigraphy of the Abadi field area is shown
in Figure 3. Fluvio-deltaic to shallow marine deposits
of the Middle Jurassic Plover Formation accumulated
in a pre-rift to early syn-rift tectonic regime. This
formation is the main reservoir objective in the area.
Marine claystone of the lower Cretaceous Echuca
Shoals Formation unconformably overlies the Plover
Formation. Overlying the Echuca Shoals Formation
is the predominantly carbonate Jamieson Formation,
followed by thick prograding shelf and slope
sediments of the Cretaceous Wangarlu Formation.
The Tertiary section consists of drift phase deposits,
predominantly thick shelf carbonates. The late
Miocene collision between the Indo-Australian and
Sunda plates initiated the final tectonic phase in this
area and continues to the present day. Left-lateral
transtension and plate flexure rejuvenated Jurassic
normal faults and produced a new set of normal faults
with a dominant north-easterly strike.
EXPLORATION HISTORY
Pre Bid Evaluation
In 1997/98, the Masela Block was evaluated based on
approximately 2,600 km of Geco-Prakla spec seismic
data (GPARI-96 series) shot during 1996 in
Indonesian waters. Available Australian open file 2D
seismic (3,500 km) and well data (13 wells) were also
incorporated for the evaluation. These well data
included Troubadour-1, Sunrise-1, Loxton Shoals-1,
Evans Shoal-1, Lynedoch-1, Tuatara-1 and others.
The primary reservoir rocks of these discoveries were
Jurassic sandstone similar to many other North West
Shelf discoveries. No exploratory wells had been
drilled in Indonesian waters of this area up to that
time.
Line spacing of the available 2D seismic data within
the Masela Block was roughly 10 km x 25 km. The
Albian carbonate marker above the Jurassic sandstone
level provided a readily mappable horizon on seismic
data throughout the area, and this became the key
horizon for our interpretation. Time mapping and
simple depth conversion of the Albian marker
identified two structural leads. One of these
structures, located just west of the Masela Deep, was
in a favourable positio n to trap hydrocarbons
migrating from the Masela Deep with a closed area of
more than 1,000 km2 . Basin modeling suggested the
generation and migration of hydrocarbons from the
Masela Deep to this adjacent area.
This primary lead, named Abadi, was located in the
central part of the block in water depths ranging from
400 m to 800 m. It was initially expected to hold
hydrocarbon reserves of more than 2 TCF with an
upside potential of 5 TCF in the Jurassic reservoir.
Inpex submitted a bid to Pertamina to obtain the
Masela Block on April 3, 1998, and the Masela PSC
was awarded to Inpex on November 16, 1998.
Additional Evaluation after Signature of PSC
After signing the PSC, a 2,948 km 2D seismic survey
(IM99 dataset) was conducted utilizing M/V Geco
Rho (PT Geco-Prakla) in February to March 1999 to
evaluate in detail the structure and stratigraphy of
identified leads and to continue exploration over the
entire block. The seismic program was designed to
infill the existing GPARI-96 grid, reducing the block-
wide line spacing to 2 km x 4 km. The GPARI-96
lines in the Masela Block area were also reprocessed
to have seismic images consistent with the new
acquisition. To develop a more detailed regional
understanding, seismic data were exchanged with
Shell, operator of the adjacent NT/P49 block in
Australian waters just south of the Masela Block. A
pre-drilling well data trade was also agreed with Shell,
and well data from Lynedoch-2 and Tyche-1 were
added to our database. These data trades were
conducted with MIGAS approval.
Regional maps and prospect interpretations were
updated and refined utilizing these data . The seismic
time interpretation was converted to a depth map
using a two-layer model to remove the water depth
effect. The Abadi structure was defined as a drillable
prospect and the location of an exploration well was
selected to test it.
The Abadi prospect has three-way dip closure,
bounded to the east by the north-south trending
eastward dipping normal fault that marks the western
boundary of the Masela Deep. The prospect was
interpreted to be a paleo-high structure during the
Mesozoic syn-rift phase, and structural closure was
enhanced by compression in the Miocene collision
phase. The major risks were presence of effective
reservoir rock within the Plover Formation and the
presence of source rocks in the Masela Deep. The
risk related to the trap and the seal were considered to
be low.
Abadi-1
Abadi-1, the first exploration well in the Masela
Block, was located 760 km east of Kupang, or 350
km north from Darwin , Australia. The drill ship
Energy Searcher arrived on location on September 29,
2000, and Abadi-1 spudded in 457 m of water on
October 1, 2000. The objective of the well was to test
the hydrocarbon potential of sandstones in the Middle
Jurassic Plover Formation. The well was drilled
without a riser using seawater until reaching the 13-
3/8” casing point at 2,139 m, in the uppermost part of
the Wangarlu Formation. After Setting 9-5/8” casing
at 3,795 m in the Echuca Shoals Formation, the
objective Jurassic Plover sandstone was intersected
and 18 m of conventional core was cut with 100%
recovery. TD was called at 4,230 m, after ‘hot-shot’
palynological analyses confirmed a Bajocian age
(Middle Jurassic) for the bottom sample and a VSP
showed that Abadi-1 had penetrated the objective
seismic reflections. Comprehensive wireline logging
confirmed the presence of gas-filled sandstone in the
upper part of the Plover Formation, with 73 m of
gross hydrocarbon column including 21 m of
extremely good quality reservoir. Though not readily
recognizable from log data, the gas water contact was
established at 3,900 mSS from MDT pressure
measurements (Figure 4).
One production test was conducted in the Plover
Formation over the interval 3,867 m - 3,887 m. This
flowed gas, condensate and water at the sustained rate
of 25 mmscfgpd, 260 bcpd (52.5o API) and 178 bwpd
through a 40/64” choke. The water condensed from
water vapour within the gas. The gas contained 9.6 %
CO2 as determined by laboratory test. After
completing the testing program, the well was plugged
and abandoned as a gas and condensate discovery,
and the rig was released on December 11, 2000. This
success was the first Plover discovery in Indonesian
waters.
3D Seismic Acquisition and Interpretation
The available map and drilling results indicated that
the Abadi structure could hold significant gas reserves,
hence exploration continued with plans for 3D
seismic acquisition and processing. A 3D seismic
survey of 2,060 km2 was conducted from July to
September 2001, utilizing the PGS M/V Ramform
Challenger with 8 streamers and a 4,200 m cable
length. A 700 km2 “fast track area” was selected to
expedite interpretation over the main part of the
Abadi structure and allow delineation drilling from
the 1st quarter of 2002. On-board processing was
completed for this “fast track area,” and the migration
cube was available for interpretation by the middle of
September 2001. Processing for the full cube
continued in the onshore processing center and was
completed by the end of 2001.
3D seismic interpretation of the “fast track area”
focused on determining optimal delineation well
locations. A clearer image of the Abadi structure
emerged as time interpretation maps were converted
to depth, showing the structure to consist of northern
and southern blocks separated by an east-west
trending normal fault (Figure 5). Seismic facies
analyses and paleogeographic modeling were
conducted at the reservoir level, integrating the 3D
seismic and Abadi-1 well data. Based on these
interpretation results, two delineation well locations
were selected. One was in the northern fault block,
13.5 km northeast of Abadi-1, and the other was in
the southern fault block, 16.5 km southwest of Abadi-
1. The predicted depths of the Top Plover level at
both wells were estimated to be approximately 20 m
deeper than that of Abadi-1 and approximately 50 m
shallower than the indicated gas water contact.
Abadi-2/2ST
Inpex began delineation drilling at Abadi-2, situated
in 580 m of water, using the drill ship Energy
Searcher. The rig arrived at the location on March
19, 2002, and spudded Abadi-2 on March 20, 2002.
The well reached the principle reservoir objective at
3,756 m, 113 m shallower than prognosis. Two
conventional cores were cut from 3,783 m to 3,837 m
(54 m) within the Plover Formation, though total
recovery was only 9.6 m (17.8%). Intermediate check
shot data revealed that interval velocit ies in the
Abadi-2 area are much slower than estimated from
seismic velocity analysis. This velocity difference
contributed to the significant error in the depth
prediction.
The well encountered a problem with 9-5/8” casing
just after cutting #2 core, which caused us to plug
back the original hole and sidetrack from 3,556 m as
Abadi-2ST. Because of this casing trouble, no
wireline logs were run for the coring interval of
Abadi-2. After setting a 7” liner at 3,756 m in the
sidetracked hole, a 6” hole was drilled to 3,986 m and
then wireline logging was conducted. As no shows
were detected in the bottom part of the section and
penetration into the lower reservoir section of the
Plover Formation was confirmed by the PEX log suite,
this depth (3,986 m) was selected as TD of Abadi-
2ST.
The wireline logging data and MDT pressure plot
confirmed the presence of the gas reservoir in the
upper reservoir section of the Plover Formation
(Figure 4). The gas pressure data of Abadi-2ST fall
almost on the same trend line as Abadi-1 suggesting
the gas to be in pressure equilibrium between Abadi-1
and Abadi-2ST. The pressure data of the possible
water sandstone was obtained below the shale zone of
the verrucosa maximum flooding surface, which is
described in the reservoir section below. The
pressure of this zone is slightly higher than the water
pressure in the Abadi-1, and if we assume this
sandstone is in the same reservoir unit with the gas
reservoir above the verrucosa zone, the GWC is
estimated to be approximately 3,890 mSS in Abadi-
2ST.
After wireline logging was completed, one production
test was carried out in the Plover Formation over the
intervals of 3,829 m - 3,839 m and 3,845.5 m -
3,850.5 m. The test flowed gas, condensate and water
at the rate of 18.6 mmscfgpd, 150 bcpd (51o API) and
127 bwpd through a 44/64” choke. The gas contained
9.5 % CO2 by laboratory test, and 5 ppm H2 S were
detected in wellsite measurements.
Abadi-3
After completion of Abadi-2/2ST drilling, the rig was
towed to the Abadi-3 location and the well was
spudded on July 29, 2002. The well was situated in
423 m of water.
Abadi-3 intersected the objective Jurassic Plover
sandstone at 3,832 m, 19 m shallower than prognosis.
Four conventional cores were cut within the upper
part of the Plover Formation, resulting in the recovery
of 58.16 m of core. The 8-1/2” hole was drilled to
4,032 m, which was considered deep enough to
evaluate the upper Plover reservoir section.
The wireline logging data and MDT pressure plot
confirmed the presence of gas in the upper reservoir
section of the Plover Formation (Figure 4). The gas
pressure data of Abadi-3 lies on exactly the same line
as the gas pressure data of Abadi-1. These data
confirm that the gas is in pressure equilibrium
between the two wells. The GWC was not observed
on the wireline logs. No reliable formation pressure
data was acquired in the water bearing zone below the
gas column because of super-charging and/or seal-
failure of the MDT tool. However, the highest
interpreted water based on PEX log response is at
3,896 mSS.
Given these results from Abadi-3 and pressure data
from Abadi-1 and Abadi-2ST, the GWC appears to be
different for each of these three wells. This
difference may be due to hydrodynamic flow across
the basin from the Timor Trough area as discussed by
Nowell (1999).
Two production tests were conducted in the Plover
Formation. The interval of 3,899 m - 3,906 m was
perforated for DST #1, which resulted in no flow due
to a tight reservoir. DST #2 was conducted over the
interval 3,855 m - 3,867 m and flowed gas and
condensate through 44/64” choke at a rate of 13.8
mmscfgpd, 266 bcpd (51-56o API) and 57 bwpd. The
gas contained 9.2 % CO2 by laboratory test, and 6.66
ppm H2 S were detected in wellsite measurements.
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
Source and Migration
The source for the Abadi gas is postulated to be
laterally equivalent marine shales deposited
contemporaneous with the Plover Formation.
Thermal maturity studies indicate such source rocks
should be mature for gas in the Calder-Malita
Grabens, Masela Deep, and directly down-dip from
the Abadi field towards the Timor Trough. The
Grains containing Oil Inclusion (GOITM) technique of
Eadington et al (1996) did not detect oil inclusions on
quartz grains in the gas filled sandstone (GOI values
are less than 0.2%), indicating no liquid hydrocarbon
migration before the gas trap.
Trap and Seal
The Abadi structure is a paleo high that has been
reactivated and modified by subsequent rifting both in
the latest Jurassic/earliest Cretaceous and in the
Neogene. The Abadi field is fault bounded to the east,
and divided into two parts, a northern block and a
southern block, by an east-west trending normal fault
(Figure 5). Multiple conjugate fault sets cut the field,
but to date there is no clear evidence of fault
compartmentalization. A structural spill point to the
west separates Abadi field from the Sunrise-
Troubadour accumulations updip.
Movement along the bounding faults to the south and
east juxtaposed the Plover reservoir succession
against early Cretaceous shales of the Echuca Shoals
Formation, providing the primary side-seal. Topseal
is also provided by the regional Echuca Shoals
Formation.
Reservoir Stratigraphy
A high resolution, reservoir-scale stratigraphic
framework has been developed drawing on evidence
from wireline log data, conventional core, CST
(sidewall core) and MSCT (rotary sidewall core)
samples, biostratigraphy and ichnofacies. A total of
86 m of conventional core was cut in the 3 wells.
Palynological zonation with an age resolution of
between one and four million years (Helby et al. 1987,
and Laurie and Foster, 2001) provides the main
chronostratigraphic framework for the correlation.
Stratigraphic correlation of the 3 Abadi wells is
shown in Figure 6.
The stratigraphic succession can be readily divided
into a series of genetically related zones based on the
presence of bounding surfaces related to periods of
rapid marine flooding. These have been named by
reference to the palynological interval containing
them. The deepest sediments penetrated in Abadi-1
appear to occur just above the caddaense flooding
event recognized within the Sunrise-Troubadour field
(Seggie et al. 2000). The Zone 4 sediments overlying
this comprise a 220 m thick succession of stacked,
progradational to aggradational deltaic sediments with
limited reservoir potential encountered to date. This
deltaic succession is capped by a thin shale associated
with a flooding event, the verrucosa maximum
flooding surface (mfs). The Abadi gas reservoir
confirmed so far lies above this maximum flooding
surface. This lower deltaic unit, however, lies above
the GWC in higher structural positions that remain
undrilled.
The verrucosa mfs is well defined on log, palynology
and seismic data and is a key surface for mapping.
Overlying this is an 80-100 m thick, laterally
persistent coarsening upward succession comprising
Zone 3. This zone passes from a lower interval of
offshore shales with thin storm sands, into lower
shoreface silts and fine sands and eventually into fine
to medium grained, planar and cross-bedded,
extensively bioturbated upper shoreface sands. On
seismic data, this interval shows well-developed
progradational geometries that, together with the well
data, are indicative of shoreline progradation
(Figure 7). No evidence of emergence has been seen
to date, though sedimentary structures and
ichnofabrics indicate a strong tidal influence. Zone 3
sands were tested in the Abadi-2ST well and flowed
at over 18 mmscfgpd. This zone is capped by a thin
flooding event, the base indotata mfs.
The base indotata mfs is well defined by log,
palynological and seismic data and is another key
surface for mapping. Overlying this is a 50 m thick,
laterally persistent coarsening upward succession
comprising Zone 2. This zone passes from a lower
interval of offshore shales with thin storm sands, into
lower shoreface silts and fine sands and eventually
into fine to medium grained, planar and cross-bedded,
extensively bioturbated upper shoreface sands. No
evidence of emergence has been seen to date.
Capping this zone are massive, extensively
bioturbated, predominantly medium grained sands
that display a characteristically blocky log profile and
excellent reservoir properties. Relict sedimentary
structures and ichnofabrics indicate a strong tidal
influence, and these sands are interpreted to have
been deposited in a tidal delta setting. These sands
were tested in the Abadi-1 and 3 wells and flowed at
rates of up to 25 mmscfgpd. The sediments of Zone 2
are capped by a thin flooding event, the base aemula
mfs.
The base aemula mfs can be defined on log and
palynological data. Sediments of Zone 1, above the
base aemula mfs, comprise a thin succession of non-
reservoir quality sands possibly representing deposits
of an offshore bar in Abadi-1, whilst in Abadi-3 the
interval compr ises offshore marine shales. In Abadi-
2ST, Zone 1 sediments are absent due to erosion.
Reservoir Quality
Reservoir quality within quartzarenite sandstones of
the Plover Formation is dependant on a complex
interaction of primary depositional setting and
diagenesis. In the Abadi field the cleanest sands
preserve excellent reservoir quality despite burial
depths in excess of 3,400 m below the seabed.
Although the burial depth of the Plover sandstone is
nearly 1,500 m deeper than in the Sunrise-Troubadour
field, the sandstones in the Abadi field still possess
reservoir properties capable of commercial flow rates.
A crossplot of porosity vs. permeability from core
plug data shows three clear trends indicative of
different litho-facies within the Plover reservoir
section of the Abadi field (Figure 8).
Facies 1 shows high porosity and permeability values
and corresponds to tidal delta deposits. The data
points for the sandstones of core #1 of Abadi-1 and
core #1 of Abadi-3 fall in this facies group. The
sandstones of core #1 in Abadi-1 comprise medium to
coarse-grained quartzarenite with excellent visible
porosity (Figure 9). The framework grains are
composed mostly of quartz (72-75 %), with very
minor amounts of K-feldspar (<0.4 %), chert (<1 %),
metaquarzite (<0.4 %), bioclasts (<0.4 %) and other
grains (Figure 10). Quartz grains are monocrystalline
quartz with a grain size from 100 to 900 µm. The
rocks are medium-well sorted to well sorted. Porosity
is main ly intergranular. The detrital clay volume is
very low (<0.4 %) and occurs as dispersed matrix,
associated with burrow linings. Porosity ranges from
7-13 % and the volume of quartz overgrowth is 10-
16 %. The kaolinite content is less than 1 %. Other
diagenetic minerals including pyrite or illite are also
minor. The very low clay and feldspar contents
indicate the well winnowed and texturally highly
mature nature of these sandstones. The sandstone of
core #1 of Abadi-3 has almost the same
characteristics except the grain size is predominantly
fine to medium.
For a given porosity, the permeability of Facies 2
(Figure 8) is an order of magnitude worse than
Facies 1. However, Facies 2 sands still retains good
reservoir properties. This facies is represented by
sandstone in core #1 of Abadi-2. These sands are fine
to medium grained, moderately to well sorted
quartzarenite to subarkose/sublitharenite. In contrast
to Facies 1 sandstones, the percentage of quartz grains
is lower at 55-60 %, while the contents of other
framework grains like K-feldspar (1-3 %) and chert
(1-2 %) are higher. The clay content is still minimal
(0.4-2 %) and kaolinite cement content is 5-10%. The
porosity is 10-15 % and the volume of quartz
overgrowth is 10-18 %.
Facies 3 is represented by the middle part of Core #4
of Abadi-3. This interval is below the gas water
contact and diagenetic calcite cement is dominant.
This sandstone is predominantly medium-grained,
moderately to well sorted, clean quartzarenite.
CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PLANS
The Abadi gas field is the single largest discovery
made in the Indonesian waters for several years.
Predictions of a gas reservoir within the Plover
Formation made dur ing the fast track exploration
program were confirmed by Abadi-1, 2/2ST and 3
wells. High-resolution sequence stratigraphic
correlations provide the framework for a practical
reservoir subdivision. Pressure data indicate the
existence of a single tank system, although pressure
plots indicate the possibility of small differences
in gas-water contacts within the field.
Work is now ongoing to accurately model the
reservoir. Establishing a stochastic 3D geological
model and reservoir simulation are seen as essential
steps to provide an accurate assessment of reserves
range. Determining the size of the prize on offer,
which is preliminarily estimated as about 5 TCF, will
then allow future delineation planning and a more
focused marketing effort to be undertaken. The
present major tasks are addressing the depth
conversion uncertainty and reservoir facies mapping,
which together control much of the net reservoir
volume. In addition to this subsurface work, Inpex is
now conducting preliminary screening of
development concepts and commercial/marketing
evaluations in order to expedite commercialization of
Abadi field. Development options include Floating
LNG, GTL (Gas to Liquids), DME (Dimethyl Ether),
and raw gas sales via pipeline.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank BP Migas and Inpex
Masela, Ltd. for allowing this paper to be published.
REFERENCES
Eadington, P.J., Lisk, M., and Krieger, F.W., 1996.
Identifying oil well sites, United States Patent No. 5,
543, 616.
Haq, B.U., Hardenbol, J. and Vail, P.R., 1988.
Mesozoic and Cenozoic chronostratigraphy and
cycles of sea-level change, SEPM Special Publication,
42, p. 71-108.
Laurie, J.R. and Foster, C.B., (ed) 2001. Studies in
Australian Mesozoic palynology II, Association of
Australasian Palaeontologists Memoir 24.
Helby, R., Morgan, R., and Partridge, A.D., 1987. A
palynological zonation of the Australian Mesozoic, in
Jell, P.A. (ed), Studies in Australian Mesozoic
Palynology, Association of Australasian
Palaeontolo gists Memoir 4, p. 1-94.
Nowell, N.A., 1999. Water Washing in the Northern
Bonaparte Basin, APPEA Journal 39 (1), p. 227-247.
Seggie, R.J., Ainsworth, R.B., Johnson, D.A., Koninx,
J.P.M., Spaargaren, B., and Stephenson, P.M., 2000.
Awakening of a sleeping giant: Sunrise-Troubadour
Gas-Condensate Field, APPEA Journal 40 (1), p.
417-436.
Whittam, D.B., Norvick, M.S., and McIntyre, C.L.,
1996. Mesozoic and Cainozoic tectonostratigraphy of
Western ZOCA and adjacent areas, APPEA Journal
36 (1), p. 209-232.
Figure 1 - Location map of the Abadi gas field. Contour lines indicate water depths in meters. The Abadi gas field is located within the Masela
PSC block in the eastern part of the Timor Sea, Eastern Indonesia, along the Indonesia -Australia international boundary. The deep
Timor Trough of more than 1,500 m water depth lies between the outer ridge of the Banda Arc and the Masela Block. The Masela Block
is on the upper slope area of the Australian Continental Shelf with associated water depths ranging from 300 m to 1,000 m.
Figure 2 - Tectonic elements map of the Northern Bonaparte Basin. The Abadi field lies at the eastern end of the Sunrise-Troubadour High on
the Sahul Platform. It is bounded to the east by the Masela Deep, which is the northern extension of the Calder Graben. The Malita
Graben lies further to the southwest and accommodates thick Cretaceous-Tertiary sediments. The northwest trending Goulbourn
Graben, with thick Paleozoic sediments, is located to the southeast. Timor Trough lies to the north. Well locations referenced in this
paper are indicated. Approximately 250 km west of Abadi, the Sunrise-Troubadour gas field (proved & probable recoverable reserves:
8.4 TCF; public information from Northern Territory Government of Australia) occupies the axis of the Sunrise-Troubadour High.
The Evans Shoal gas field (proved & probable recoverable reserves: 6.6 TCF; public information from Northern Territory Government
of Australia) is approximately 150 km southwest of Abadi between the Sunrise-Troubadour High and Malita Graben.
Figure 3 - Generalized stratigraphic column of the Abadi field area (age scale based on Haq et al. 1988,
and palynological zonation based on Helby et al. 1987 and Laurie and Foster, 2001). Fluvio-
deltaic to shallow marine deposits of the Middle Jurassic Plover Formation accumulated in a
pre-rift to early syn-rift tectonic regime. This formation is the main reservoir objective in the
area. Marine claystone of the lower Cretaceous Echuca Shoals Formation unconformably
overlies the Plover Formation. Overlying the Echuca Shoals Formation is the predominantly
carbonate Jamieson Formation, followed by thick prograding shelf and slope sediments of the
Cretaceous Wangarlu Formation. The Tertiary section consists of drift phase deposits,
predominantly thick shelf carbonates.
Figure 4 - Formation pressure versus Depth plot of Abadi-1, 2ST and 3 wells. The GR curves of three wells are also shown for reference. The
gas pressure data for 3 wells fall almost on the same line, suggesting the gas to be in pressure equilibrium. GWC was established at
3,900 mSS in Abadi-1. In Abadi-2ST, GWC is estimated to be approximately 3,890 mSS. In Abadi-3, no reliable formation
pressure data was acquired in the water-bearing zone below the gas column, however, the highest water is interpreted at 3,896 mSS
from the PEX log suite. Pressure data indicate the existence of a single tank system, although pressure plots indicate the possibility
of small differences in gas-water contacts within the field.
Figure 5 - Depth map of Albian seismic marker. Contour lines indicate depths in meters. The Abadi field is fault bounded to the east
and divided into two parts, a northern block and a southern block, by an east-west trending normal fault. Location of
seismic line in Figure 7 is shown. A 700 km2 “fast track area” is also shown which was selected to expedite interpretation
over the main part of the Abadi structure and to allow early delineation drilling.
Figure 6 - Correlation section of the reservoir sequences in Abadi-1, 2ST and 3. The succession can
be readily divided into a series of genetically related zones based on the presence of
bounding surfaces related to periods of rapid marine flooding. These have been named by
reference to the palynological interval in which they lie. DST intervals and cored
intervals in three wells are indicated.
Figure 7 - Seismic inline 4996 through Abadi-1 (Location shown on Figure 5). Seismic polarity is SEG normal with red as peak and black
as trough. Yellow line indicates the Albian marker which corresponds to the base of the Jamieson Formation. This marker
provided a readily mappable hor izon on seismic data throughout the area, and this became the key horizon for our interpretation.
GR curve of Abadi-1 is shown as reference. Well-developed progradational geometries are observed in the seismic interval
correlatable to the upper part of the Plover Formation in the well that, together with the well data, are indicative of shoreline
progradation.
 Figure 8 - Porosity versus permeability for core plugs from Abadi-1, 2 and 3, showing clear
trends indicative of different litho-facies within the Plover reservoir section. Facies 1
shows high porosity and permeability values and corresponds to tidal delta deposits.
The data points for the sandstones of core #1 of Abadi-1 and core #1 of Abadi-3 fall in
this facies group. Facies 2 is represented by sandstone in core #1 of Abadi-2 and still
retains good reservoir properties. Facies 3 is represented by the middle part of core #4
of Abadi-3. This interval is below the gas water contact and diagenetic calcite cement
is dominant.

Figure 9 - Thin section photomicrograph of the sandstone of the Plover Formation at 3,872.12 m in
Abadi-1. Medium grained, well sorted quartzarenite containing common quartz overgrowths
that have reduced intergranular porosity. Visible porosity is moderate (13%, shown in blue)
and is mainly of intergranular type. Measured permeability is 610 mD.
Figure 10 - Porosity, permeability and thin section point count data from conventional core of Abadi-1,
2 and 3. GR curves from wireline logs and core GR measurement are also shown as
reference. The sandstones of core #1 in Abadi-1 comprise quartzarenite and framework
grains are composed mostly of quartz, with very minor amount of other framework grains
like K-feldspar, chert, metaquartzite and bioclasts. The clay volume is also low and these
indicate the well winnowed and texturally highly mature of these sandstones. The
sandstones of core #1 in Abadi 3 have almost the same characteristics, and these sandstones
are categorized as Facies 1 in the porosity versus permeability plot in Figure 8. In the
sandstones of core #1 in Abadi-2 that are categorized as Facies 2, the percentage of quartz
grains is lower while the contents of other framework grains are higher compared with
sandstones of Facies 1.