GB2288546A - Petroleum exploration game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game in which the competitors seek to accumulate wealth by locating reserves of petroleum in a geographical area divided into blocks within which only some contain petroleum and for each of which the competitors may bid for each block out of an initial budget provided to them and which gives them the right to determine whether petroleum is present in the particular block they have been awarded, the apparatus comprising a map of the geographical area which is divided into the blocks, the arrangement being that before the competitors have bid for the blocks there is no indication that any of the blocks do or do not contain petroleum reserves. The apparatus may also comprise chance cards affecting one or more competitors and ancillary exploration aids which may be purchased. <IMAGE>

Description

GAME APPARATUS The present invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game in which the competitors seek to accumulate wealth by locating reserves of petroleum in a geographical area divided into blocks only some of which contain petroleum. The competitors may bid for each block out of an initial exploration budget provided them which gives them the right to determine whether petroleum is present in the particular block for which they have been awarded It will be appreciated that throughout this document whenever the term "petroleum" is used it will also include oil and natural gas which is invariably found in association with petroleum.

While the game can be enjoyed in its own right its main purpose is to educate the competitors (who with advantage will be non-experts in the petroleum exploration and production business) in the mechanics of petroleum exploration. Further, it encourages the utilisation of key management techniques (i.e. decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork and creative thinking) in a low-key and entertaining setting.

The game is in essence a business "game" which serves to simulate an actual exploration experience. Competitors may take part as individuals but preferably take part as groups or teams which are in competition with other teams to increase their wealth.

The game reflects the actual exploration process of many years condensed into a time frame of a few hours, ideally two hours.

The game begins with exploration in an immature basin with little data. As the basin is explored there is a sharp increase in the discovery of petroleum reserves which is related to increased knowledge and data, then the discoveries level off as the basin matures. Continued success is fuelled by the advent of an additional exploration play. This game reflects actual exploration and development throughout the world and includes such actual business challenges as political risk, petroleum price sensitivity, budget restrictions and environmental constraints.

According, therefore, to the present invention, apparatus for playing the game comprises a map of the geographical area which is divided into blocks, the arrangement being that before the competitors have bid for the blocks there is no indication that any of the blocks do or do not contain oil reserves.

The area of the map enclosed by a block available for bid is blank.

Suitably the map contains a representation of a discovered part of an oil field, a part or parts of which field may be located in a block or blocks.

Conveniently, the map also contains a representation of a geologists' interpretation df the limit of the discovered oil field which limit is located in selected blocks. This interpretation was made in the year 1960; whereas the date of the game is the present.

Preferably the blocks are arranged into groups, the blocks in each group being available to be bid for in successive bidding rounds. A minimum bid amount with mandatory capital costs are required by each competitor. The successful team will be the one with the highest bid.

Suitably means are provided to indicate on the map after the close of bidding which competitor won which block and the winning bid amount. The exploration results will be revealed to the winning team, and held confidential from the remaining competitors for a period of time.

In a preferred embodiment means are provided to enhance or diminish during the course of the game the ability of each competitor to compete successfully. These influences are external to each competitor, and the resultant effect out of their control.

The means so defined may comprise a set of papers or cards bearing information for the attention of the competitors.

Means are provided to generate a cash flow from a competitor's successful endeavours. Further, this cash flow can be further influenced beyond their control, enhancing or diminishing the overall result.

Means may also be provided to enable the competitors to enter a bid for a designated block.

There may also be means to keep a record of the exploration budget, the blocks which each competitor has been awarded, the relevant bid for each block awarded, the value of the bids made on the awarded blocks, the asset value of the petroleum in each awarded block, the total asset value of the petroleum in all the awarded blocks and the total value of the assets remaining after deduction of costs, including bidding costs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a map of a geographical area divided into blocks available for bidding, also showing a discovered accumulation of petroleum and a representation of a geologist's interpretation of possible future accumulations, Figure 2 is a sheet of "bid proposals" on which the competitors write their bids, Figures 3a to 3j are "External Influence" papers or cards which may enhance or diminish the ability of the competitors to compete successfully, Figure 3k announces the advent of an additional exploration play, Figures 31 and 3m comprise maps which form part of a purchasable geological survey package, to help evaluate the new exploration play, Figures 4a to 41 are a set of chance cards or papers serving the same purpose as those in Figures 3a to 3j, but with the results only enhancing or diminishing the competitors individually, Figure 5 is a sheet for keeping a record of the competitors bids and other important values as will be explained later, Figures 6a and 6b are a table of asset values of the various blocks, Figures 6c and 6d are a table of asset value additions or subtractions to be made during the course of the game, as dictated by results in the chance cards (Figures 4a to 41), and Figure 7 is the map showing the actual locations of all the petroleum reserves in the geographical area (i.e. Final Solution).

Referring to the Figures, Figure 1 is the so-called base map, and is the heart of the game. This comprises a map of a part of a country called Bongo which is known to contain underground reserves of petroleum. Some reserves 1 have already been discovered (the Wobe field) as shown shaded.

The map is divided into a number of rectangular blocks marked A through to Z and AA, BB, etc. through to NN. Some blocks 2 are unmarked as shown, and not available for bid.

A previous survey by a geologist in 1960 estimated that the limit of the Wobe field is as shown by the broken line 3 in Figure 1. Question marks (?) indicate the uncertainty of the interpretation.

The map itself may be made of paper or card but preferably is a sheet of strong plastic.

Blocks A through J, K through T, U through DD, and EE through NN are divided into four groups by the vertical dividing lines 4 as shown. The blocks in each group are bid for in four sequential "rounds" as shown by the wording at the top of the map, i.e. ROUND I, ROUND II, ROUND III and ROUND IV. Also, any unlicenced blocks from a previous Round are available for bids at any time in future Rounds.

At the start of the game each competitor or team is handed out a base map, a list of instructions and rules, a glossary of terms, and bid progress sheets. Each team will commence the game with an equivalent exploration budget. There may be a larger master base map on which is marked during the course of a game the identity of the competitor (as say a company name) winning a particular block, bid amount, and results for each block. The marking may be done with coloured pens, different colours representing different competitors. Alternatively, models of drilling rigs may be used to represent a petroleum producing block, each competitor having a different coloured rig and each rig being placed on the block which has been won by the competitor. The results of each block won is kept confidential for one licence round.

Figures 2a and 2b show sheets of bid proposals which are provided on tear-off sheets of paper for each individual competitor or team. In making a bid for one block the competitor enters the bidding round number, its company name, the block for which it has bid, the amount of the bid (in millions of s), the mandatory prescribed exploration costs which can vary, and the total cost of the bid (i.e. bid plus exploration costs).

Figures 3a to 3j represent so called "External Influences".

These may comprise news bulletins as in Figures 3a, 3f, 3i and 3k, offers of some kind as in Figures 3b, 3c and 3e or other items of information as in the remaining Figures. These are read out to the competitors during the course of the game by a facilitator who is appointed before the start of the game and the competitors may or may not act on appropriate information as they see fit. The external influences may be on paper; but also could be on cards or plastic, particularly the ones distributed to each competitor.

So far as these influences are concerned, Figure 3a is read out to the competitors in Round I; Figures 3b to 3f are read out in Round II at suitable intervals; Figure 3g is read out before the commencement of Round III; Figures 3h to 3j are read out in Round III; Figure 3j is read out before the commencement of Round IV; and Figure 3k is read out in Round IV.

In addition, after the news of Figure 3a is read out the asset value of the Wobe field is corrected to 55m.

Certain conditions are mandated to the facilitator on announcing the information on Figures 3d, 3j, and 3j.

The cash bonus programme of Figure 3c, the Farm-outs of Figures 3e and 3h, and the New Bulletins of Figures 3f and 3i are not only read out but are also distributed to the competitors.

Referring to Figure 3b, this is part of a purchasable data package.

Referring to Figure 31, this is part of a purchasable data package referred to in Figure 3k as &num;1 and showing on the map of Figure 1 the results of a seismic survey indicating the likely location of reservoir rocks.

Referring to Figure 3m, this too is part of a purchasable data package referred to in Figure 3k at #2 and showing on the map of Figure 1 the results of a geochemical study of wells indicating the likely location of non oil-generating source rock and petroleum-generating source rock.

These maps may be of paper, card or, preferably, a sheet of strong plastic.

Referring to Figures 4a to 41, the "Chance" cards are designed like the External Influence cards to show the many influences that can affect the costs and revenues of an individual or team. They are used in conjunction with a random number indicator or a pair of random number indicators, e.g. a die or dice. The cards themselves are marked with a number as shown in Figures 1 to 12. During the middle of Rounds II and III, the facilitator calls the competitor or a representative of each team to roll the die or dice for a chance card, the number on the die/dice corresponding to a number on the chance card. The competitor then draws the card indicated. The cards are so arranged that the cards with the most significant impact are those having the corresponding number with the lowest probability of occurring (i.e. 1, 2, 11, 12).The odds, then, dictate that these cards are unlikely to be chosen. Further, given that the true nature of the petroleum exploration business is that external influences tend to be negative, and therefore diminishing one's success, the majority of the chance cards have detrimental effects.

In Round II only one die is used (thus only chance cards 1 to 6 can be selected).

In Rounds II and III two dice are used together with all the chance cards (except chance card "1" of course).

Instead of a die or dice randomly selecting a card, the cards could be arranged as a pack with similar patterned backs. The competitors could each draw a card in turn during Rounds II, III and IV. There could be more cards of the less desirable kind than of the desirable kind to correspond to the odds described in relation to dice.

An accounting sheet of the type shown in Figures 5a to 5d is provided for the game organisers. It is tabulated continuously during the course of the game by the facilitator, or one or more assistants. Before the game is started the competitor or team is assigned or selects a company name and a colour which are entered on its particular sheet. Next the initial budget of each competitor is entered - this will be the same for each competitor (80m).

Bidding will then commence for the blocks in Round I and the competitors will have 10 minutes to prepare their bids. At the end of 10 minutes the bid preparation is terminated and the competitors must submit their bids (in secret) to the facilitator. The highest bid for each block is deemed the winner and the code letter of the block won and the bid amount is entered on the sheet where indicated. Then the asset value for that block is looked up from Figures 6a and 6b (Table 1) and entered on the sheet. The cash remaining after the bidding is calculated and entered together with the total asset value of the blocks awarded at the end of Round I.

Individual block results are then distributed to the team awarded the block.

The procedure and tabulation for Round II and subsequent rounds are performed in a similar manner. As with Round I, 10 minutes are allowed for competitors to prepare their bids. In Rounds II to IV cash and assets are carried forward from a previous round or previous rounds. Results from the previous Round are announced to all competitors, except at the close of Round III where all current results will be released.

In Round II, additional debits may be made for purchase of the data package, a chance card, a cash bonus and a drilling failure. (Figures 3b, 3c, 3g, and 4a through 4f).

In Round III, additional debits may be made from chance cards and as the result of a drilling failure. (Figures 3j, and 4b through 41).

In Round IV in addition debits may be made for the purchase of data packages. (Figures 3k through 3m).

As in Round I, the total cash spent-in subsequent rounds is recorded together with total asset value acquired in that round and the cumulative total effective asset value.

The values used in Figures 6a and 6b are used to compute for the competitors the value of any blocks awarded during the course of the game. All external influence effects (except the chance cards) are incorporated into all the values.

Figures 6c and 6d comprise additions or subtractions to the asset values of the competitors as a result of the competitors' selecting certain chance cards.

Figure 7 is the "solution" to the game and is handed out to the competitors at the end of the game with a written explanation.

The winner of the game is that competitor or team who, at the end of Round IV, has the highest total value of cash and assets.

For further understanding, the instructions by which the facilitator runs the game are included: these are headed "Step by Step Instructions for Petroleum Game". Also, a listing of all the documents is included. Rules for the competitors headed "Petroleum Game", a set of which are handed to each competitor before the start of the game are also included together with a glossary of terms used in the game and headed "A Brief Discussion and Definition of Terms". Finally an explanation of the solution to the exercise is given.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PETROLEUM GAME 1. On previous evening - hand out rules, basemap and definition of terms.

2. Before starting - read rules and answer any questions.

3. register company names and colour.

4. Emphasise that in order to simulate the exploration business, where much information becomes unexpectedly available and quick decisions are needed, new data will be introduced as the game proceeds.

5. Emphasise that if participant discussion volume becomes too high then new data may be missed.

6. Begin Round I, ten minutes. Clock stops while some types of new data is announced.

7. In Round I a) Announce News Bulletin 1, (AFTER 3/4 MINS) and correct reduced asset value of Wobe Field (to 55m) on master basemap.

b) Check bids; throw away non-winning bids.

c) Announce winners for each block and their bids (annotate on large master basemap using appropriate team colour, tabulate results on accounting sheets).

d) Distribute individual block exploration results.

e) One question per company allowed.

f) Remind people that unwanted blocks will be available in future rounds.

8. Begin Round II, ten minutes.

a) Announce availability of Geological Data Package (AFTER 1 MIN).

b) Announce and distribute Cash Bonus programme (AFTER 2 MINS).

c) Announce Scout RePort for Block I (only if awarded AFTER 3 MINS).

d) Announce and distribute Farm-out 1. (AFTER 5 MINS).

e) Announce and distribute News Bulletin 2. (AFTER 7 MINS).

f) Execute Chance Cards (1-6 only) and tabulate financial impact. (AFTER 9 MINS. STOP CLOCK).

9. End Round II a) Check bids; check for cash bonus.

b) Announce winners for each block and their bids (annotate on large master basemap, tabulate results on accounting sheets).

c) Apply Drilling Failure 1 factor; tabulate re-drill costs.

d) Distribute individual block exploration results.

e) Annotate exploration results from Round I on large master basemap.

f) One question per company allowed.

10. Begin Round III, ten minutes.

a) Announce and distribute Farm-out 2 (AFTER 2 MINS).

b) Announce and distribute News Bulletin 3. (AFTER 4 MINS).

c) Execute Chance Cards (all available); and tabulate financial impact. (AFTER 6 MINS STOP CLOCK).

11. End Round III a) Announce winners for each block (check for cash bonus) and their bids. (Annotate on large master basemap, tabulate results on accounting sheets).

b) Apply Drilling Failure 2 factor; tabulate re-drill costs.

c) Distribute individual block exploration results.

d) Announce exploration results from all preceding Rounds (I, II and III) and annotate master basemap.

e) One question per company allowed.

12. Begin Round IV, ten minutes.

a) Announce News Bulletin 4 - geological data packages (AFTER 2 MINS).

13. End Round IV a) Announce winners for each block and their bids.

(Annotate on large master basemap, tabulate results on accounting sheets).

b) Distribute individual block exploration results.

c) Compile game results and totals (assets, production revenue and remaining cash); announce overall winners.

d) Distribute Solution.

e) Emphasise need to avoid telling others about the game.

f) Discuss relevant lessons about teamwork, decision making, etc., back in teams.

PETROLEUN GAME GOAL: The primary purposes of this game are: 1) Practice making group decisions under time constraints and within a competitive environment; 2) Apply team concepts to problem-solving; 3) To understand the relationship between risk and reward; 4) Encourage creative and innovative thought; and 5) To gain some insight into the petroleum exploration business.

OBJECTIVE: To learn, to enjoy, and to win.

****** INTRODUCTION You are in competition with a number of other international oil companies in a contest to find oil reserves and increase the asset base of your company.

The President of the country of Bongo has strongly encouraged exploration by your respective companies, and a new area of blocks has just been made available.

Your first order of business is to determine a suitable name of your oil company, and register your company to do business in the country of Bongo.

You are supplied with a map of the exploration area and a budget of 80X to be used for oil exploration purposes.

The exercise will be run to a strict timescale and will include four bidding rounds of ten minutes duration.

You will be given 10 minutes to read the remainder of the rules and decide how you will operate as a group. You will be told when the first ten minute bidding round begins. General questions will be taken before the game commences.

Remember that each company is in heated competition with each other and the winner will be the company that has the most cash and assets combined at the end of Round IV.

RULES OF THE GAME Note that any and all of these rules may be affected by external circumstances that are beyond your control.

1. The exercise will take place in four rounds and you will have ten minutes in each round to decide which blocks you will bid for and how much you will bid. Late bids will not be accepted.

2. The rounds will consist of: ROUND I includes Blocks A-J ROUND II includes Blocks K-T, and all blocks from Round I that were not awarded ROUND III includes Blocks U-DD, and any available blocks from Rounds I and II (i.e.

relinquished or not awarded) ROUND IV includes Blocks EE-NN, and any available blocks from Rounds I, II and III 3. You may bid on as many blocks as you want, but the minimum bid on each block is 2M plus exploration costs.

Bids must be in million Pound increments. There is no maximum (other than what you can afford). A block will be awarded to the company with the highest bid. In the case of a bid tie the companies involved will have one minute to submit a new bid. The allocated funds of a company with an unsuccessful bid will be returned.

4. In addition to the bid costs, the exploration costs per block are 5M to drill a well to 5000 feet. These costs are a mandatory expenditure. Only one well is needed to evaluate the block's potential.

5. Any reserves found will be considered only as assets and not available for the cash bids. Only the funds from your original budget of 80M can be used for bidding and other costs.

6. Reserves found, though unavailable as cash flow, will generate production revenue of 10% of the total asset value per round after discovery (i.e. reserves found in Round I will generate revenue in Round II, etc.). This revenue will not be available for cash bids. The corresponding initial asset value will be reduced accordingly as the reserves are produced. The remaining unproduced assets and the total production revenue will be combined to determine the total asset value. You need not be concerned with calculating the production revenue; this will be done for your Company.

7. There will be no combining of companies' resources.

8. BP is the operator of the Wobe Field, discovered in 1959.

The original reserves of this Field would have a present day asset value of ll0M. Production is from the Namba sands at 4000 feet. The dashed line on the accompanying map represents a BP geologist's interpretation, published in 1960, of the continuation of the Wobe Field play.

9. There will be a five minute review of current results at the end of each bid round before the commencement of the next bidding period. Each company will be allowed onlv one question at this time, to be shared with all groups.

No other questions will be allowed after the game has commenced.

10. The exploration results of each awarded block will be held confidential for one round and then released, as a competitive edge to the awardee. You can choose to trade or sell this information to another company. the results of all awarded blocks, though, will be released before the commencement of Round IV.

11. All blocks awarded to the company will have a one round lease term (i.e. a Block picked up in the first Round will be released for the 3rd Round and available for bid); unless a discovery is made, in which case the company will retain the block and corresponding assets.

12. Remember you are in business to make money and not become bankrupt. You have a responsibility to your shareholders.

PETROLEUM GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION A Brief Discussion and Definition of Terms Sedimentary rocks (i.e. sandstones, limestones and shales) occur in thick layered sequences in sedimentary basins. These layers are warped, broken (faulted), and folded.

The geologists and geophysicists (i.e. explorationists) working for an oil company will suspect that an area has oil and/or gas potential. The company will then try to obtain exploration rights for blocks covering the most prospective areas.

Seismic surveys can then be carried out, and used to produce maps (analogous to topographic maps) showing the depth to and structure at a particular rock layer.

Explorationists use these maps and other geological data to define prospects. In particular, a prospect requires a reservoir rock, a source rock, and a trap. All three factors must be present for the prospect to be successful.

The likely presence and quality of each of these factors must be assessed to estimate the reserves that might be found and their value, and the chance of success. This can then be compared with the cost and risk of drilling a dry hole as one means of assessing whether or not to drill. Although the risks of failure are high, they are offset by potentially large rewards.

Definition of Terms Exploration Play. A combination of geological factors (such as reservoir rock, source rock, and trap type) that define a particular exploration objective.

Prospect. A (more or less) well-defined, potentially oil and/or gas bearing trap that has not yet been drilled.

Lead. A potential trap that has not yet been sufficiently well-defined to be called a prospect, and therefore drilled.

Reservoir Rock. A rock (usually a sandstone or limestone) that can hold oil or gas, which can be produced from a well.

Source Rock. A rock (usually a shale) containing sufficient organic matter, which generates oil and/or gas when sufficiently deeply buried.

Trap. A geometrical configuration of reservoir rock and seal that may allow buoyant oil and gas to accumulate locally and form a Field.

8eal. A layer of rock which oil and gas cannot pass through.

Structural Trap. A trap formed by geological deformation (folding or faulting) of the reservoir rock, which can be identified from seismic data).

Seismic Data. A common method of surveying the subsurface geological structure of an area.

3D Beismic Survey. A seismic survey in which the data are very closely spaced, so that a particularly accurate interpretation of the geological structure can be mapped.

Field. A discrete accumulation of oil and/or gas.

Reserves. The amount of oil and/or gas that can be realistically (i.e. both technically and economically) produced from a Field.

Productive Area. The part of a Field that is actually producing or is capable of producing oil or gas.

Dry Well/Dry Hole. A well which failed to find oil and/or gas.

Farm-out/Farm-in. A deal in which a company offers to assign ("farm-out") an interest in a block, in return for a cash payment and/or further work on the block. The company which accepts the officer is said to "farm-in" to the block.

SOLUTION EXPLORATION EXERCISE The attached map Figure 7 shows the final solution of the exercise, with the distribution of all the oil fields for both exploration plays in the bidding area. A description of each play is below.

Namba Sands (shallow play) The original geologic interpretation is partially correct, but due to sparse data failed to highlight the northeast-southwest structural trends that control the distribution of the oil fields.

Also, the reservoir sands are more widely distributed throughout the area than originally interpreted by BP in 1960.

Abanaa Sands (deePer play} The interplay of three factors control where the reserves are encountered: 1. The presence of reservoir sands in the channels (Data Package &num;2); 2. The presence of oil-generating source rock (Data Package &num;3); 3. The intersection of the above two factors with the structural trap (as shown in the shallower play).

An overall winner between the groups was determined by direct competition, but that is not the end of the story. Each group can further evaluate their performance (or rather, the financial markets will make that determination) by the following: Final Cash and Assets 160 excellent; quit current job and go open your own oil company 110 very good; a very successful E & oil company 96 average; success rate matches the industry average 88 poor; look for another line of work One final note for the exercise, that at the end, the final, overall "winner" is indeed the country of Bongo!

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for playing a game in which the competitors seek to accumulate wealth by locating reserves of petroleum in a geographical area divided into blocks within which only some contain petroleum and for each of which the competitors may bid for each block out of an initial budget which is provided to them and which gives them the right to determine whether petroleum is present in the particular block they have been awarded, the apparatus comprising a map of the geographical area which is divided into the blocks, the arrangement being that before the competitors have bid for the blocks there is no indication that any of the blocks do or do not contain petroleum reserves.
2. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the area of the map enclosed by a block available for bidding is blank.
3. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the map contains a representation of a discovered part of an oil field, a part or parts of which field may be located in a block or blocks.
4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the map contains a representation of a geologist's interpretation of the limit of the oil field, which limit is located in selected blocks.
5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the blocks are arranged into groups, the blocks in each group being available to be bid for in successive bidding rounds.
6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which means are provided to indicate on the map after the close of bidding which competitor won which block, amount of what the winning bid, and whether any block so won contains or does not contain oil reserves.
7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which means are provided to enhance or diminish during the course of the game the ability of each competitor to compete successfully.
8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the means comprises a set of papers or cards bearing information for the attention of all the competitors.
9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including a pair of random number indicators to select a particular paper or card.
10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which means are provided to generate a cash flow from a competitors successful endeavours.
11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which means are provided to enable the competitors to enter a bid for a designated block.
12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which means are provided to keep a record of the exploration budget, the blocks which each competitor has been awarded, the relevant bid for each block awarded the value of the bids made on awarded blocks, the asset value of the oil in each awarded block, the total asset value of the oil in all the awarded blocks and the total value of the assets remaining after deduction of costs including bidding costs.
13. 13. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.