World-class training for the modern energy industry

Location: Spain

Basin-Scale Stratigraphy (Source-to-Sink): Basins of the Pyrenean Foreland, Spain (G117)

Tutor(s)

Rene Jonk: Director, ACT-Geo Consulting and Training; Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen.

Overview

Well-exposed outcrops of the Pyrenean Foreland Basin (PFB) in northern Spain offer a unique opportunity for source-to-sink analyses across thrust and foreland basin settings. This course demonstrates regional linkages of continental to marine environments and teaches fundamentals of play-scale reservoir, source and seal mapping and prediction. We utilize 3D outcrop models, detailed biostratigraphic data and subsurface examples to enhance learning through making maps and predictions. The course presents sequence stratigraphic models across continental, shelfal and deep-water settings in order to understand the external controls on sediment flux from the proximal to distal environments.

Duration and Logistics

A 6-day field course, based in the Pyrenees, with the itinerary dependent on the technical objectives of the group and timeframe. 60-80% of the time will be spent in the field, making active observations and undertaking field exercises, in combination with some classroom exercises and lectures as well as the option for viewing core.

Level and Audience

Intermediate. The course is specifically designed for reservoir engineers, geologists and geophysicists interested in analysing a range of clastic reservoir types from a variety of depositional settings. The field course will examine the reservoir attributes of a wide range of sand-prone deposits focusing on the reservoir quality and property distribution as well as larger scale correlation and gross architecture of distinct stratigraphic units. In addition, play-scale prediction of reservoir, source and seal elements will be covered and play-based evaluation techniques will be discussed and practiced.

Exertion Level

This class requires an EASY exertion level. Access to the outcrops is easy with many being road cuts. The longest walk is approximately 3 km over scrubby land. The field area sits at an altitude of up to 1000 m and the weather can be warm with daily highs over 25 degrees Celsius.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Review facies associations in siliciclastic depositional systems.
  2. Predict external controls on sediment flux from continent to basin.
  3. Study the effects of compressional tectonics and the interaction of tectonics and sedimentation.
  4. Assess proximal to distal environments of deposition (EoD) and link them in space and time.
  5. Employ sequence stratigraphic models to continental, shelf and deep-water settings.
  6. Build stratigraphic frameworks across various scales and EoD.
  7. Predict occurrence of basin-scale play elements.
  8. Place local interpretations into regional context for predictions away from well control.
  9. Examine where sediment is stored in shelf environments, as well as when and how sediment is transported to deep water.

Characterization, Modeling, Simulation and Development Planning in Deepwater Clastic Reservoirs, Tabernas, Spain (G076)

Tutor(s)

Mark Bentley: TRACS International Consultancy and Langdale Geoscience.

Overview

This course is led by a production geologist and reservoir engineer involved in deepwater reservoir development, and is presented as a practical reservoir discussion rather than purely a traditional geological field trip. The objective of this field course is to explore the reservoir modelling and petroleum engineering aspects of deepwater clastic reservoirs. The discussions highlight the linkage from depositional processes to geological architecture and flow heterogeneity in development planning. The Tabernas outcrops are very well exposed and offer examples of sand-rich and debris-flow-dominated reservoirs, high net:gross fan systems and classic mud-dominated facies. In particular, they give excellent insights into the reservoir heterogeneities occurring within apparently continuous ‘sand lobes’ and major channels.

Duration and Logistics

A 7-day field course based in Almeria, Spain, comprising a mix of field activities and exercises. Transport will be by SUV on paved roads and unpaved tracks.

Level and Audience

Advanced. The course is largely aimed at geologists and reservoir engineers working on deepwater developments. The course is best suited to multidisciplinary team of geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists and reservoir engineers.

Exertion Level

This class requires a MODERATE exertion level. There will be multiple walks of up to 1km (0.5 mile) most days. The longest walk of the class is approximately 2km (1 mile), with an ascent (and descent) of 75m (245 ft). The field area is in Europe’s only desert region and participants should expect high temperatures and an arid working environment. Participants should also be prepared for sudden and heavy rain showers.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Assess the genetic processes that produce slumps, slides, debrites and high/low density turbidites, and explain why the concept of confinement underpins the description of heterogeneity in deepwater clastic systems.
  2. Evaluate the extent to which pay is under-/over-estimated in mud-rich/sand-rich systems, respectively, and the resulting errors in STOIIP and PI estimation.
  3. Organise a detailed sedimentological description into key reservoir elements and build an architectural model using those elements.
  4. Assess the basic principle of flow in porous media (Darcy) and describe how flow heterogeneity varies in layered and amalgamated clastic systems.
  5. Appraise the contrasting heterogeneities in sand- and mud-rich systems and determine how much detail is required in a reservoir description based on a consideration of fluid type and production mechanism.
  6. Evaluate how kv/kh impacts recovery in typical deepwater clastic architectures; optimally locate a well to optimize sweep for a range of architectural cases.
  7. Judge length scale variations for a typical deepwater clastic system, and discuss how this would be handled in a reservoir modelling and simulation context.

Sand-rich Turbidite Systems: From Slope to Basin Plain, Pyrenees, Spain (G016)

Tutor(s)

Henry Pettingill: Senior Associate, Rose & Associates LLP; President, Geo Ventures International Inc.

Overview

This course in the Central Pyrenees will visit spectacular outcrops of Eocene deep marine clastics in the confined mini-basin settings of the Ainsa and Jaca basins. Shelf-slope-basin relations are examined in detail and reveal features such as ponding in sub-basins, system architecture and reservoir stacking patterns. Identification of facies types is emphasized at both reservoir and exploration prospect scales. The use of the outcrops as analogs for producing oil and gas fields is discussed and 3-D models of the basin infill and deep marine deposition will be shown. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own data for discussion as either presentations or as posters.

Duration and Logistics

A 6-day field course comprising a mix of outcrop examination and discussion (70%), core examination (15%) and supporting classroom lectures (15%). The course is conducted in the Central Pyrenees of northern Spain, with attendees arriving in and departing from Barcelona, Spain. The course materials are supplied as a short, printed field guide with supporting lecture material provided in digital format – if you wish to access this while on the course you will need to bring a laptop or tablet computer.

Level and Audience

Advanced. Suitable for geoscientists and reservoir engineers seeking to understand deepwater clastic reservoir distribution, prediction and compartmentalization. Appropriate for asset teams looking to develop a common understanding of their deepwater clastic reservoirs.

Exertion Level

This class requires an EASY exertion level. Travel between outcrops will be by small coach and there are several short hikes of 2–3km (1.2–1.8 miles) over uneven ground, but nothing overly strenuous. The weather can be variable and ranges from hot and dry to cold and very wet, with fall temperature ranges of 5–30°C (40–85°F), so please be prepared. Field days start around 9am and finish at 6–7pm. (Please note that meals are taken rather late by North American and northern European standards.)

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Recognize genetically linked facies deposited by submarine gravity flow processes within a partitioned foredeep, from slope to basin plain.
  2. Identify the transitions between the various components of the system (channel, lobe, etc.), their controls and predictive aspects.
  3. Characterize the geometry and scale of sand bodies and their stacking patterns in outcrop and compare with reservoir units in analogous subsurface settings.
  4. Assess the relation between syndepositional tectonics and partitioned mini-basins that act as receiving basins.
  5. Assess and predict the control of sand body geometry and reservoir architecture on reservoir production characteristics.
  6. Assess high-frequency cyclicity recorded in the sediments and relate these patterns to intrinsic and extrinsic basin controls.
  7. Apply predictive models for the infill of facies and stacking patterns based on the interplay between mini-basin geometry/development and sediment infill.