Global E&P Spend 2024: $738 Billion · Deepwater Wildcat Cost: $150M+ per Well · Carbonate Reservoirs Hold >50% of World's Oil · Seismic Covers 100s of km² — Wells Cover a Single Point · FWI: The MRI of the Subsurface · Built on Data from 100+ Global Oil & Gas Fields · Sandstones & Carbonates · Deepwater & Frontier Exploration · 4 Peer-Reviewed Publications · Pre-Drill Intelligence — Before the First Well is Spudded · Global E&P Spend 2024: $738 Billion · Deepwater Wildcat Cost: $150M+ per Well · Carbonate Reservoirs Hold >50% of World's Oil · Seismic Covers 100s of km² — Wells Cover a Single Point · FWI: The MRI of the Subsurface · Built on Data from 100+ Global Oil & Gas Fields · Sandstones & Carbonates · Deepwater & Frontier Exploration · 4 Peer-Reviewed Publications · Pre-Drill Intelligence — Before the First Well is Spudded ·
Physics-led pre-drill reservoir intelligence

KNOW YOUR
RESERVOIR

BEFORE YOU DRILL

Porosity. Permeability. Water saturation. Fluid type.
Derived from seismic interval velocity alone — before the first well is spudded. From seismic to reservoir economics. Built on peer-reviewed physics, using data from over 100 global oil and gas fields across 20+ countries.

Run Analysis Read the Methodology
100+
O&G Fields — Built & Validated
20+
Countries
$738B
Global E&P Spend 2024
$150M+
Wildcat Well Cost
Why XploroilgasAI

THE PRE-DRILL INTELLIGENCE GAP

Exploration today targets deeper, more complex reservoirs where a single wildcat can exceed $150 million. Conventional workflows depend on nearby analogues — often unreliable or unavailable.

XploroilgasAI eliminates the analogue dependency by working directly on the prospect's seismic data, typically covering tens to hundreds of square kilometres. Powered by Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) — often described as the MRI of the subsurface — the platform generates prospect-specific reservoir properties, not extrapolated well-based assumptions.

The model estimates porosity (Ø), permeability (k), and initial water saturation (Swi) directly from seismic interval Vp, and provides early identification of gas vs. liquid reservoirs — applicable to both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs.

Outputs are physics-based probabilistic estimates — suitable for both technical and investment decisions, delivered before any drilling commitment is made.

Without XploroilgasAI
  • Porosity assumed from regional analogue — often unreliable
  • Permeability unknown pre-drill
  • Water saturation estimated or assumed
  • Gas vs. oil distinction requires drilling
  • Oil-in-place calculation requires well data
  • High dry-hole risk, especially in frontier blocks
With XploroilgasAI
  • Porosity estimated directly from seismic interval velocity
  • Permeability derived through physics-based relationships
  • Initial water saturation (Swi) calculated pre-drill
  • Gas vs. oil classified from seismic data alone
  • Quantitative inputs for OIP, production potential, well productivity
  • Physics-auditable results suitable for investor reporting
How XploroilgasAI compares to conventional pre-drill methods
Attribute
Regional Analogues
AVO Analysis
Rock Physics Modelling
XploroilgasAI
Porosity estimate
Assumed from analogue
Indirect / qualitative
Possible, with assumptions
Direct, quantitative
Permeability estimate
Not available
Not available
Possible, with assumptions
Physics-derived, field-calibrated
Water saturation (Swi)
Not available
Qualitative indicator only
Possible, model-dependent
Quantitative, pre-drill
Gas vs. oil classification
Basin analogy only
DHI indicator, not definitive
Possible, requires well data
Seismic velocity-based
Requires well data
Nearby well needed
Preferred
Yes — calibration required
No — seismic only
Applicable in frontier blocks
Limited or none
Partial
No — needs calibration well
Yes
Cost per prospect
Low — but high uncertainty
Very high — specialist & data
High — specialist required
$4,000 per run
Physics-auditable output
No
Partially
Yes, but complex
Yes — full chain visible
Scientific Methodology

HOW IT WORKS

A sequential, physics-driven computation converts a single seismic Vp value into a complete pre-drill reservoir assessment. Every step is grounded in established petroleum engineering — no black-box AI.

Step 01
Vp
Seismic
Velocity Input
FWI preferred
Step 02
G/L
Fluid Type
Classification
Gas · Oil · ⚠
Step 03
Ø
Porosity
Estimation
SS · Carbonate
Step 04
k
Permeability
Derivation
mD range
Step 05
Swi
Swi & Commercial
Oil Assessment
Commercial flag
Step 01 · Input
FWI-derived Interval Vp
Full Waveform Inversion produces the most accurate velocity models from seismic surveys — often described as the MRI of the subsurface. The model is optimised for FWI-derived Vp, though conventional interval velocities are also accepted.
Step 02 · Classification
Fluid Type from Seismic Velocity
Gas compressibility fundamentally alters seismic wave propagation — a distinctive physical signature XploroilgasAI uses to classify gas vs. liquid directly from Vp. Cases near the boundary are explicitly flagged rather than arbitrarily assigned.
Step 03 · Vp → Ø
Porosity from Seismic Velocity
Seismic velocity and porosity are physically linked — more pore space means slower wave travel. Separate calibrations are applied for sandstone, carbonate, Wilcox Trend, and Barents Sea lithologies.
Step 04 · Ø → k
Permeability from Porosity
Field-calibrated relationships validated across 20 major sandstone oil fields derive permeability from porosity. For carbonates, a probabilistic model reports P50/P75 percentiles — reflecting fracture and vug heterogeneity honestly.
Step 05 · Swi
Water Saturation & Oil Assessment
Initial water saturation (Swi) is the primary pre-drill indicator of commercial oil. Calculated from porosity and permeability via a proven petroleum engineering relationship. Low Swi = high oil saturation. Borderline cases are explicitly identified.
What the Analysis Delivers

PRE-DRILL RESERVOIR ESTIMATE

Four outputs from a single Vp input — each with physical basis, uncertainty range, and clear commercial interpretation.

Ø
Parameter 01
Porosity
Ø (%)
Estimated directly from seismic interval velocity. Separate calibrations applied for sandstone and carbonate lithologies. Delivered as a range to reflect physical uncertainty in the measurement.
Typical range: 5 – 35%
k
Parameter 02
Permeability
k (mD)
Derived from porosity via field-calibrated relationships for sandstones. For carbonates, a probabilistic model is used to account for fractures and vugs — reported as P50/P75 percentiles.
<1 mD tight → 5,000+ mD high-perm
Swi
Parameter 03
Initial Water Saturation
Swi (%)
Calculated from porosity and permeability using a proven petroleum engineering relationship. The primary commercial discriminator — low Swi indicates high oil saturation. High-risk cases are explicitly flagged.
Low Swi → commercial oil indicator
G/O
Classification
Fluid Type
Gas · Oil · ⚠
Gas or liquid (oil/water) identified directly from seismic velocity. Cases near the classification boundary are explicitly flagged with investigation guidance — never arbitrarily assigned to one category.
Borderline zone explicitly identified
Sandstone scope
Model calibrated for consolidated sandstones. Special calibrations for the Wilcox Trend (deepwater GOM, depth >20,000 ft) and Barents Sea. Unconventional reservoirs (Barnett, Eagle Ford and similar shale plays) and heavy oils (≤10° API) are excluded from scope.
Carbonate scope
Carbonate permeability is highly heterogeneous due to fractures, vugs, and varied pore types — reported as probabilistic percentiles (P50/P75) rather than a single value. Water saturation is derived from a carbonate-specific porosity relationship.
Extended Capabilities

SPECIALISATIONS

Beyond the core reservoir parameter estimates, XploroilgasAI provides tailored adaptations and additional analyses upon request.

Production Potential (qmax)
Upon request, estimates of maximum production potential and well productivity (b/d) are derived from the calculated reservoir parameters using established petroleum engineering correlations.
Required Development Wells
Analytical estimate of the number of development wells required for the prospect — derived from production potential and reservoir geometry to support early-stage development planning.
Optimal Well Location
Applying multiple XploroilgasAI iterations across the prospect area generates maps of Ø, k, and Swi — instrumental in identifying optimal locations for exploration and appraisal wells.
Special Calibrations
Dedicated calibrations for geologically distinct settings where standard velocity-to-porosity relationships shift — including the Wilcox Trend (deepwater Gulf of Mexico, depth >20,000 ft) and Barents Sea sandstone formations, each with age- and burial-specific adjustments.
Multi-Prospect Portfolio Screening
Run XploroilgasAI across multiple prospects within an exploration block or portfolio to rank prospects by reservoir quality, oil likelihood, and commercial potential — supporting capital allocation decisions.
Important Notes

BEFORE YOU RUN AN ANALYSIS

XploroilgasAI is a precision technical tool. Understanding its scope and assumptions ensures your results are interpreted correctly.

Note
Excluded reservoir types: XploroilgasAI excludes heavy oils (≤10° API; ≥5,000 centipoise) such as those in the Orinoco and Canadian Oil Belts, and unconventional reservoirs including Barnett, Eagle Ford, and similar shale plays.
Note
Gas accumulations: If XploroilgasAI identifies a prospect as most likely gas, reservoir characteristics (Ø, k, Swi) are not calculated — there is no reliable physics-seismic connection for gas accumulations. The model reliably differentiates gas from liquids, but analysis becomes challenging near the crossover zone. These cases are explicitly identified with investigation guidance.
Note
Interval Vp: Be sure to provide your target's interval seismic velocity over the hydrocarbon interval — not an overburden average. FWI-derived velocity is preferred for best accuracy. Conventional seismic interval Vp can also be used where FWI is unavailable.
Note
Free trial: Enter your name and email to start. You will receive 3 free analyses. Each run delivers a full physics-based evaluation of reservoir properties and prospect viability.
Note
Desktop only: XploroilgasAI is currently optimised for desktop use. Mobile phones are not supported for the analysis tool.
Scientific Validation

VALIDATED AGAINST THE WORLD'S FIELDS

XploroilgasAI is built using data from over 100 global oil and gas fields across 20+ countries. Some of the key fields where the underlying physics framework has been validated are listed below.

XploroilgasAI has been validated against the following fields
● Gas Fields
  • NLDGroningen
  • NORTroll
  • QATNorth Dome
  • AZEShah Deniz
  • AUSGorgon
  • KAZKarachaganak
  • USABoonsville
  • VENPerla
  • MEXQuesqui
  • IRNKish
  • VENYucal Placer
  • VENCopa Macoya
  • VENCarito
  • VENLoran-Manatee
  • VENRio Caribe
  • VENAmbrosio
  • NORGjøk
● Oil Fields
  • USAThunder Horse
  • SAUGhawar
  • IRQKirkuk
  • BRALula
  • MEXCantarell
  • MEXTecominoacan
  • USAJack/St. Malo
  • USASpraberry
  • USAGreat White
  • AZEACG
  • BRAMarlim
  • NGABonga
  • AGOGirassol
  • VENEl Furrial
  • VENGuafita
  • VENLama
  • NORSkrugard
Case Study

Seismic Predictions that Stand the Test of the Drill

XploroilgasAI performance using seismic velocity data — compared to actual field data from the Gulf of Mexico.

Actual Field Data
Gulf of Mexico
Vp16,100 ft/s
Rock TypeSandstone
Geologic AgeTertiary
Target Depth27,000 ft
LocationOffshore
Water Depth3,000 ft
Porosity9%
Permeability40 mD
Swi3.5%
Actual DiscoveryOil
XploroilgasAI Results
Offshore, Tertiary, Sandstone · TVD 27,000 ft · Vp = 16,100 ft/s
Porosity: 8% – 11%
Permeability: 36 – 45 mD
Swi: 3% – 4%
Identified: Very likely Oil
PorosityActual: 9%Predicted: 8–11%✓
PermeabilityActual: 40 mDPredicted: 36–45 mD✓
SwiActual: 3.5%Predicted: 3–4%✓
FluidActual: OilPredicted: Oil✓
Predicted by XploroilgasAI
The Team

MEET THE TEAM

The founders of XploroilgasAI have been actively engaged in machine learning research and oil & gas technology since 2015, with a primary focus on reservoir engineering and exploration applications.

Dr. Rafael Sandrea
Co-Founder
IPC Petroleum Consultants · Tulsa, USA
Founder and president of IPC Petroleum Consultants Inc. of Tulsa, USA. He holds a PhD (1966) in petroleum engineering from Penn State University. He has co-authored two books, Dynamics of Reservoirs under Gas Injection (1974) and Mexico History of Exploration (2017), and over 40 technical papers.
ipc66.com ↗
Darshil Dharod
Co-Founder
XWellsExpertise · Mumbai, India
President of XWellsExpertise and co-founder of Coulomb Litech Pvt Ltd, of Mumbai, India. He holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. He has co-authored a publication with Dr. Rafael Sandrea. Previously he was Field Service Manager at Schlumberger.
xwellsexpertise.com ↗
Dr. Martin Essenfeld
Co-Founder
EGEP Consultants · Colombia
Founder and president of EGEP Consultants, Colombia. He holds a PhD (1970) in Petroleum Engineering from Penn State University. He has decades of experience in reservoir management and has co-authored several publications with Dr. Rafael Sandrea.
egepconsultores.com ↗
Ivan Sandrea
Co-Founder
Westlawn Offshore · Houston, USA
Co-founder and until recently, CEO of Westlawn Offshore, Houston, USA. He holds a MSc (2000) in Geology and MBA (2001) both from Edinburgh University, UK. He has worked in 12 countries and has a track record of success with oil & gas startups.
Pricing

INVESTMENT IN CERTAINTY

Each run delivers a complete physics-based evaluation of reservoir properties and prospect viability — designed to support high-stakes pre-drill decisions.

Single Run
$4,000
per analysis run
  • Full physics-chain computation (Ø, k, Swi)
  • Gas / oil / borderline classification
  • Sandstone and carbonate pathways
  • Uncertainty ranges on all outputs
  • PDF results report
Best Value
4-Run Bundle
$12,000
buy 3 runs · get 1 free
  • Everything in Single Run × 4
  • Ideal for multi-prospect portfolio screening
  • Wilcox / Barents / carbonate specialisations included
  • Optional production potential & well count estimates
  • Priority turnaround
Runs valid for 12 months from purchase date.
Subscription Access

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XploroilgasAI Analysis Engine
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Enterprise & Investor

NEED A DEEPER ENGAGEMENT?

For enterprise exploration programmes, multi-prospect portfolio screening, investor due diligence, or custom specialisation requests — contact the research team directly.

Request Enterprise Brief Contact the Team
analysis@xploroilgas.ai  ·  Houston, USA & Mumbai, India