The M field, situated offshore Malaysia with a water depth of approximately 1500 ft at the platform location, was discovered through the M-1 exploration well. Following the discovery, three appraisal wells were drilled under three different partnerships. The first oil commenced production years later, featuring eight oil producers and four water injectors. In the subsequent Phase 2 development, two additional oil producers and four water injectors were introduced.

The field area is medium-sized, 4-way dip closure with highly faulted structure, within a structurally complex, highly faulted setting. The depositional environment is characterized by deep-water turbidite lobes, where multiple reservoirs are separated by a Mass Transport Complex (non-reservoir). Enhanced lateral continuity and connectivity are anticipated in lobate systems compared to proximal channel-levee systems. Hydrocarbons were discovered in two main reservoirs, namely the K-2 and KR, along with some occurrences in the shallower P reservoir. The lower K-2 signifies a sand-rich distributary channel system, while the upper K-2 reflects a mud-rich, unconstrained overbank environment. The KR reservoir is primarily composed of distal lobe deposits, featuring fine-laminated sand sequences.

The M field is a toe thrust hanging wall anticline situated at the intersection of 2 regional thrust fault trends. Isochore analysis at the KR reservoir level suggested that the 2 regional thrust faults were initially extensional and were then simultaneously inverted in the beginning of the later KR reservoir to early K reservoir. Besides the 2 thrust faults, several other faulting phases have had their imprint on the M field structure such as:

  1. Gravity driven arcuate extensional faults that tip out downwards.

  2. Gravity driven linear extensional faults.

  3. Vertical parallel minor normal faults.

  4. Back thrust.

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