World-class training for the modern energy industry

Location: Texas

Slope-Channel Depositional Systems: Brushy Canyon Formation, SE New Mexico and West Texas​ (G091)

Tutor(s)

Art Saller: Independent Geological Consultant.

Overview

This field course is designed for geoscientists and engineers exploring and developing deepwater clastic reservoirs anywhere in the world. The course examines excellent (classic) exposures showing depositional facies and stratal geometries developed in deepwater slope and channel environments and their controls on reservoir presence, quality and production. Outcrop description and exercises with subsurface data are integrated into the course. Analog fields from West Africa, Gulf of America/Mexico, southeast Asia and the Permian Basin are discussed on outcrops.

Duration and Logistics

A 6-day field course beginning and ending in El Paso, Texas. Most training will take place through observation and discussion in the field.

Level and Audience

Advanced. The course is aimed at geoscientists, petrophysicists, reservoir engineers and production engineers working deepwater siliciclastic reservoirs. Basic principles are presented on the first morning to bring participants to a common level of understanding. Outcrop viewing, description and exercises will give even advanced level participants improved understanding of these systems.

Exertion Level

This class requires a DIFFICULT exertion level. The outcrops are in west Texas and southeast New Mexico, where the weather is arid with hot summers and cool winters. This trip is run in spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate, although hot, cold or wet weather is possible. Daily temperatures can range from 5–30°C (40–90°F). The course includes a hike of around 6 km/4 miles with an ascent of 400m (1300 ft), and shorter hikes, frequently over very steep and uneven ground. Transport on the course will be by coach. Most of the driving is on black-top roads, with some driving on graded dirt roads.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Visualize the seismic-scale geometries of major slope channel systems including incised upper slope valleys, amalgamated mid-slope channel-complexes, and middle to lower slope channel-levee complexes for use in subsurface interpretation.
  2. Assemble a predictive model for those different sand geometries relative to slope position.
  3. Describe different deep-water (turbidite) facies and understand variations in their distribution and reservoir characteristics in different architectural elements (channel, levees, splays).
  4. Relate outcrop and core scale variations of deepwater sands to wireline log characteristics within channel complexes to help interpret facies in logs.
  5. Predict how turbidites and their characteristics change laterally which can be applied to static and dynamic reservoir models for appraisal and development.
  6. Assess thin turbidite sand beds and understand where they occur deep-water systems and how their continuity can vary from relatively limited areal continuity in levees to sheets in thin-bedded basin floor fans.
  7. Evaluate variation in grain size and lateral continuity of sand bodies, understand why they can cause large variations in permeability, production rates and oil recovery.
  8. Relate characteristic of outcrops to analogous oil fields along the West African margin, Gulf of America/Mexico, southeast Asia and the Permian Basin
 

Faulting, Fracturing and Mechanical Stratigraphy Field Seminar, San Antonio, Texas (G022)

Tutor(s)

David Ferrill: Institute Scientist, Space Science and Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute.

Kevin Smart: Manager, Earth Science Section, Space Science and Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute.

Overview

Superb exposures of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks in central and west Texas provide the opportunity to examine factors that influence the style and intensity of faulting, folding and fracture development, as well as the relationship between fracture spacing and mechanical layering. The outcrops offer analogs for deformation in both carbonate reservoirs and shale resource plays worldwide. The exposures range from map to fault block scale and provide the opportunity to explore the range of depositional facies and diverse tectonic regimes that influence the style and intensity of faulting, folding and fracture networks.

Duration and Logistics

A 7-day field course, comprising a mix of classroom lectures (5%), field lectures (65%) and field exercises (30%). The course begins and ends in San Antonio, Texas. A printed manual will be provided for each participant.

Level and Audience

Advanced. This course is intended for geoscientists, reservoir and production engineers, and petrophysicists who work with layered faulted and fractured reservoirs. It should be of particular interest to individuals working in unconventional or self-sourced plays (e.g. Eagle Ford, Austin Chalk). Basic familiarity with structural geology is expected of all participants.

Exertion Level

This class requires a MODERATE exertion level. Fieldwork is in the Hill Country near San Antonio where conditions are typically warm-hot and humid – the daily temperature range in fall is 15–30°C (60–85°F) – and in west Texas, where the climate is warm-hot and dry – the daily temperature range in fall is 7–27°C (45–80°F). Participants will be taking short to moderate hikes (less than 3.2km/2 miles) over flat to hilly terrain with a maximum elevation change of 200m (660 ft). Transport is by SUVs and most driving is on black-top roads. Some outcrops are reached via well-marked dirt roads.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Perform structural interpretations using the basic concepts of faulting, fracturing and mechanical stratigraphy.
  2. Assess the role of mechanical stratigraphy and stress conditions on fracture and fault formation in sedimentary strata.
  3. Evaluate deformation mechanisms that operate in fault zones and the relationship between faulting and associated folding.
  4. Determine how complex structures control hydrocarbon migration and trapping in carbonate petroleum provinces.
  5. Effectively interpret many of the fault system features they will encounter on seismic and well data.
  6. Determine the controls on regional tectonic setting, stratigraphy and development in the areas they work.
  7. Assess local structural styles and relate deformation features to mechanical stratigraphy and structural position.

Sequence Stratigraphy of the Permian Basin, Texas and New Mexico (G002)

Tutor(s)

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

Overview

This field course is designed for geoscientists and engineers exploring and developing plays in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems; it is relevant to those working in the Permian Basin. The course will enhance each participant’s ability to distinguish depositional facies and play elements, based on seismic features, stratal geometries, sequence stratigraphy, diagenetic changes impacting reservoir quality and depositional models. Subsurface data from the Permian Basin, including seismic, well logs and cores, will be used to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework for the basin, with emphasis on the prediction of play element presence and quality, both for conventional and unconventional resources, including discussions on production behavior and strategies.

Duration and Logistics

A 5-day field course; a mix of field activities (60%) and classroom lectures and exercises (40%), with long days (typically 10 hours). The course begins and ends in El Paso, Texas. The first night is spent in El Paso; subsequent nights are spent in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Level and Audience

Advanced. This course is intended for geoscientists, petrophysicists, engineers and managers who are seeking a comprehensive examination into the seismic stratigraphy of the Permian Basin.

Exertion Level

This class requires a MODERATE exertion level. Fieldwork is in west Texas and southeast New Mexico, where the weather is arid and usually hot, although cold and wet weather is possible in the spring and fall when daily temperatures range from 5–25°C (40–80°F). The course includes walks of a moderate length (up to 3.2km/2 miles) with an ascent of 305m (1000 ft), frequently over very steep and uneven ground. Transport on the course will be by mini-van. Most of the driving is on black-top roads, with some driving on graded dirt roads.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Analyze exposures of carbonate shelf and ramp to siliciclastic basinal systems, in order to relate depositional facies to seismic scale geometries and sequence stratigraphy.
  2. Examine seismic scale outcrop geometries, document outcrop facies and demonstrate similarities to productive intervals in the Permian Basin.
  3. Understand how subaerial exposure, marine diagenesis and early near-surface dolomitization can affect ultimate reservoir porosity and permeability and overall reservoir geometry in subsurface.
  4. Assess changes in carbonate facies and relate these changes to depositional environments.
  5. Apply Walter’s Law and chronostratigraphic principles in core, well log and seismic interpretation, and relate to prediction of play elements and best productive intervals for unconventional resources.
  6. Analyze sequence stratigraphy for carbonates and mixed carbonate-clastic depositional systems.
  7. Interpret carbonate sequence stratigraphic patterns from outcrop, well log and seismic data.