SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR NATURAL GAS FIELD POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT AT CHONNABOT PROSPECT, NORTHEASTERN THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this research are (1) to develop the computer program called PPA (Petroleum Potential Assessment) using Microsoft Visual Basic version 6.0 for determining for natural gas field potential assessment, (2) to compare the commercial petroleum potential assessment software, including FASPU(Fast Appraisal System for Petroleum Universal Version) and GeoX (Geometry Experiments) withPPA (Petroleum Potential Assessment), and (3) to evaluate economic returns in terms of Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Profit to Investment Ratio (PIR). The PPA software has been developed for natural gas potential assessment in the northeastern Thailand and design support of input parameter under various geological and engineering parameters including area of closure, porosity, thickness, gas saturation, gas formation volume factor, and recovery factor. PPA software uses the Monte Carlo simulation and probability of success theory, and is developed on Microsoft Visual Basic version 6.0.The software includes a main page and three modules: technical considerations, gas production forecast considerations and economic considerations. In terms of technical consideration, the estimated gas in place resources are 147.49 Bcf (billion cubic feet) at 90%, 405.71 Bcf at 50% and 926.74Bcf at 10% of tractile, respectively. The estimated gas recoverable resources are 132.74 Bcf at 90%,365.14 Bcf at 50% and 834.07 Bcf at 10% of tractile, respectively. In terms of economic consideration, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Profit to Investment Ratio (PIR) for natural gas field at Chonnabotprospect are 20.03% and 1.10, respectively.