4th Framework Programme                     UK Technology Foresight                              Ref No                                                        


EXPLORATION

3D modelling of sedimentary                     High hit-rate exploration                                TFl
basin evolution (JOULE)                          techniques: basin modelling
                                                              (Energy Panel: priority topic)

                                                               Predictive modelling in the                            TF2
                                                               presence of uncertainty
                                                               (included in ANRE Panel's key
                                                               recommendations)

source rock distribution (JOULE)

modelling hydrocarbon expulsion 
from source rocks (JOULE)

validation of basin/reservoir	                    see TFl and TF2
models with production data
(JOULE)

origin of non-hydrocarbon gases
(JOULE)

studies of outcrop analogues of
basins to quantify structures and
controls (JOULE)

reconstruction and modelling of
3D fracture systems (JOULE)

development of instrumentation                   High hit-rate exploration                         TF3
and geophysical techniques to                      techniques: geophysical data
address the above tasks (JOULE)                 acquisition and integration,
                                                                data analysis and interpretation
                                                                (Energy Panel priority topic)



                                                                Remote sensor and survey	                TF4
                                                                systems (included in ANRE
                                                                Panel's key recommendations)

improved 3D seismic processing	see             TF3
and interpretation for deep,
complex structures (JOULE)

systems integrating data from	                     see TF3 and TF6
different disciplines, including
validation by production data
(THERMIE)

seismic acquisition (2D,3D and                     see TF3, TF4 and TF6
time lapse), with reference to
surface operations, sources and
receivers for boreholes, seismic
while drilling, cross-well at
increased depth and well
spacing, imaging of fractured
reservoirs (THERMIE)

improved estimation of	                                see TF 4
petrophysical data (THERMIE)

improved estimation of rock-fluid
interaction (THERMIE)

more efficient, safer drilling and                 Drilling: low down-time, fully                      TF5
completion systems, and systems                 automated flexible drilling with
and processes with lower                            emphasis on increased
environmental impact. Emphasis                 penetration rate; flexible
on slim-hole, horizontal,                            steered drilling; low cost,
multilateral technology and on                    environmentally friendly drilling
HP/HT service (THERMIE)                        consumables; and drilling in
                                                                and drilling in HP/HT conditions 
                                                                (Energy Panel: secondary priority)


RESERVOIR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED RECOVERY

tools to construct optimal                            Predictive modelling in the                             TF2                                                           
reservoir models, with improved                 presence of uncertainty;
quantification of geological,                        artificial intelligence and expert
petrophysical and rock                                systems (included in ANRE
mechanical parameters and their                  Panel's key recommendations)
transfer to reservoir engineering 
models (JOULE)

new methods for reservoir 
simulation and performance 
prediction (JOULE)

improved interpretation of 3D 
seismic data, including seismic 
stratigraphic calibration and 
inversion and advanced 
geostatistical techniques (JOULE)

analysis of reservoir behaviour in 
correlation with borehole 
observations (JOULE)

methods for monitoring and/or 
controlling reservoir response 
(JOULE)

improved understanding of                           See TF2
reservoir history and structure to 
improve production strategies, 
with emphasis on correlation 
of flow processes with rock and 
fluid properties, prediction of 
heterogeneities, reconstruction 
of accumulation history including 
delineation of secondary migration

imbibition and diffusion in 
fractured reservoirs (JOULE)

geochemical techniques to 
define compositional variations 
(JOULE)

thermodynamics of multiphase 
flows in reservoirs (JOULE)

inter-relationship between 
stress-state and fluid flow, and 
evaluation of in situ stress from 
drilling and completion problems 
(JOULE)

technology development for                              Increased reservoir yields:	                              TF6
improved oil recovery and                                geophysical characterisation;
improved well performance,                              enhanced reservoirsimulation,
including development of                                  drive and production
chemical and biological                                     technologies; and reservoir
enhanced oil recovery methods                           status monitoring (Energy
(JOULE)                                                          Panel: priority topic)

                                                                      Microbial research for fossil-fuel	                     TF7
                                                                      processing (included in ANRE
                                                                      Panel's key recommendations)

analysis of natural processes 
under HP/HT conditions, 
including thermodynamics and 
kinetics of oil-gas cracking 
(JOULE)

new methods for safer, lower	                          See TF5
cost drilling and production, with
emphasis on HP/HT service
(JOULE)

methods for data acquisition and	                   See TF4
analysis while drilling (JOULE)

PRODUCTION

new, more efficient methods and                          Low cost production including                         TF8
equipment, with emphasis on                               platform and pipeline
sub-sea production equipment,                             construction and maintenance:
lightweight structures and                                    unmanned and sub-sea
floating systems, production and                           facilities; process and plant 
reservoir monitoring equipment,                           intensification (Energy Panel:
systems for better reservoir                                  secondary priority)
management and for unmanned 
operations (THERMIE)

inspection maintenance and                                 Low cost production including                          TF9
repair techniques (THERMIE)                             platform and pipeline
                                                                        construction and maintenance:
                                                                        fit for purpose inspection and
                                                                        defect detection; low cost
                                                                        repair and/or upgrade (Energy
                                                                        Panel: secondary priority)
   
tools and methods for heavy oil                            Low cost production including                        TF10
and gas condensate production                              platform and pipeline
(THERMIE)                                                       construction and maintenance:
                                                                         materials and construction for
                                                                         aggressive well stream fluids 
                                                                         (Energy Panel: secondary
                                                                         priority)

improved oil recovery methods                            See TF6
to optimise reservoir depletion 
(THERMIE)

                                                                          Low cost production including                        TF11
                                                                          platform and pipeline 
                                                                          construction and maintenance: 
                                                                          environmentally friendly
                                                                          technology for remote and
                                                                          hostile (including Arctic,
                                                                          deepwater) sites (Energy Panel:
                                                                          secondary priority)
                                             
MARINE ENVIRONMENT

                                                                          Environmental monitoring,                       TF12
                                                                          surveys, data and information 
                                                                          service development, process 
                                                                          studies, impact evaluation 
                                                                          studies, integrated eco-system 
                                                                          management, site remediation 
                                                                          (included in ANRE Panel's key 
                                                                          recommendations)

TE- technology enhancement.  CR- cost reduction.  E- enabling.