World-class training for the modern energy industry

An Introduction to Sequence Stratigraphy (G068)

Tutor(s)

Gary Hampson: Professor of Sedimentary Geology, Imperial College London.

Overview

Sequence stratigraphy is a key tool for subsurface interpretation of depositional systems and thereby predicting the distribution of reservoir, source rock and seal lithologies. The course will introduce the principles and methods of sequence stratigraphy, with a focus on continental, shallow-marine and deep-marine depositional settings. Participants will apply these principles and methods via the sequence stratigraphic interpretation of subsurface data (e.g. seismic, well-log, core, reservoir production data).

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 2 days including a mix of lectures and exercises. The course manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring along a laptop or tablet to follow the lectures and exercises.

Online version: Three 3.5-hour interactive online sessions presented over 3 days. A digital manual will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This course is designed for junior geoscientists working on a variety of subsurface energy projects who want to gain a basic understanding of sequence stratigraphy and its applications to subsurface data sets. Participants should have knowledge of basic sedimentology and subsurface geology.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the basic terminology of sequence stratigraphy.
  2. Describe the key surfaces and systems tracts.
  3. Appreciate the main components of depositional sequences in continental, shallow-marine and deep-marine systems.
  4. Evaluate a range of subsurface data in terms of sequence stratigraphic methods and models.

Introduction to Clastic Facies (G073)

Tutor(s)

Howard Feldman: Consultant Geologist, Feldman Geosciences LLC; Affiliate Faculty, Department of Geosciences, Colorado State University.

Overview

This course provides an introduction to siliciclastic facies in all aqueous settings, focusing on sand deposition for application to conventional reservoirs. The course begins with an overview of sedimentary structures and their recognition in outcrop and core. Observations of sedimentary structures and facies stacking patterns are then used to interpret depositional environments and make predictions about sand body geometry, size, and compartmentalization. The course makes extensive use of large-format (50% scale) core photos and outcrop photopans from a wide range of environments. Subsurface data sets, including seismic and well logs, are used to illustrate the application of these concepts to subsurface mapping. We will also cover an introduction to core description workflows.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom: A 2-day course comprising a mix of lectures and exercises. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual session: Four 3-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days. Digital course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is intended for subsurface geoscientists who would like an introduction to siliciclastic facies and their interpretation from core, well logs and seismic. There is no assumption of previous knowledge of clastic systems, and simple concepts are built up into sophisticated depositional models. Skills are built through a series of exercises using outcrop photopans, high-resolution core photos, well logs and seismic. There is abundant opportunity for interaction.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Interpret basic depositional models of siliciclastic systems with a focus on sandy facies, and prediction away from control at a range of scales.
  2. Collect basic observations from core that can be used to constrain depositional models.
  3. Integrate cores, well logs and seismic, in order to make predictions about the distribution of reservoir, source and seal.
  4. Interpret genetic stratigraphic units in core, well logs and seismic.

Quality Control of Land Seismic Processing (G079)

Tutor(s)

Rob Hardy: Director, Tonnta Energy Limited.

Overview

This course will provide participants with fundamentals needed to liaise with specialists and discuss workflows and quality control for land seismic data processing. Using modern case histories and basic theory, the course covers fundamentals, established workflows and advanced technology. Demonstrations will use interactive processing tools to improve the students’ understanding of the latest techniques and how to quality control effectively and efficiently to meet their objectives.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Discuss the most common land seismic acquisition and processing techniques used in seismic exploration and production and become more proficient in the terminology used to describe them.
  2. Recognise seismic processing parameter selection for specific objectives such as amplitude interpretation for exploration and reservoir characterisation.
  3. Discuss quality control of land seismic processing workflows covering data preparation, parameterisation, noise & multiple suppression, velocity model building, imaging and post-migration processing.
  4. Become aware of newer acquisition and processing techniques alongside their potential benefits & pitfalls.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This course is aimed towards geoscientists seeking fundamentals of land seismic processing methods and those who wish to more effectively liaise with specialists and apply quality control. We start from first principals, but it is helpful if participants have a basic knowledge of land seismic acquisition and processing terminology and are actively working with seismic data.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom: A 2-day course comprising a mix of lectures and case studies. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Four 3-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days comprising lectures, discussion and demonstrations using case histories to illustrate the basic theory and impact of the techniques discussed. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course. Some reading and several exercises can be completed by participants off-line.

Workshop in the Seismic Expression of Carbonates (G080)

Tutor(s)

Gene Rankey: Professor, University of Kansas.

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide a general overview of the basic principles of carbonate systems and their expression in seismic data, and to demonstrate its utility for exploration and production. The course will include conceptual models, practical hands-on exercises, and demonstrations of the utility of seismic data and derived products. Key examples will illustrate how seismic stratigraphy and seismic attribute analysis can be used to assess reservoir fairways, subdivide a reservoir, constrain reservoir models, and generate high-resolution, geologically constrained predictions of reservoir systems. An important part of this course will be to draw attention to unique aspects of carbonates and how they might differ from siliciclastic from pore to basin scales.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Establish a working knowledge of carbonate sediment and depositional systems.
  2. Assess carbonate seismic attributes, their general classes, and situations in which different types of attributes are most appropriate.
  3. Evaluate quantitative applications of seismic attributes to map seismic facies and porosity in carbonate reservoirs.
  4. Recognize the expression of carbonates in three-dimensions, how these patterns reflect dynamic stratigraphic evolution, and how these patterns can be related to reservoir trends.
  5. Identify the variation and controls on carbonate reservoir architecture in different system tracts.
  6. Appreciate how carbonate petrophysics influences the seismic response of carbonates.
  7. Appraise the different types of carbonate platform on seismic data and assess the presence of key seismic facies.
  8. Illustrate the seismic geometries of carbonate ramps and rimmed shelves and their possible reservoir character.

Level and Audience

Intermediate. The course is aimed at geologists and geophysicists working on carbonate exploration and production projects. No prior knowledge of carbonates is assumed but participants should have some background in the geosciences.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 2 day classroom course comprising presentations, exercises and case studies. Course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants during the course. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises

Virtual version: Four 3.5-hour interactive online sessions presented over four days. Digital course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course. Some exercises may be completed by participants off-line.

Onshore Seismic Processing and Imaging (G081)

Tutor(s)

Ron Kerr: Seismic Processing Consultant.

David Kessler: President, SeismicCity Inc.

Overview

This course will introduce the fundamentals of land seismic acquisition including receiver types and their spectrum indication. Land-based seismic data presents unique challenges, and the course will subsequently follow the processes after acquisition to include all the main processing steps of a modern land 3D dataset.

Duration and Logistics

Fundamental. Intended for geoscientists who work with seismic data and are also required to understand land seismic acquisition and processing projects and work with imaging professionals.

Level and Audience

Classroom version: A 2-day classroom course day including a mix of lectures and exercises. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Four 3.5-hour interactive online sessions presented over four days. Digital course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course. Some exercises may be completed by participants off-line.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. List common onshore seismic source and receiver types and their spectrum indication.
  2. Describe source/receiver line spacing & intervals and their relationship to acquisition footprints and seismic resolution.
  3. Have a clear picture of main processing steps affecting phase and amplitude and understand the concepts of surface-consistency.
  4. Explain in plain language how FWI works and the key factors to velocity model building.
  5. List the types of data used in data processing.
  6. Identify the main components of the seismic wavefield and what they are used for.
  7. Describe the main collections/domains for manipulating seismic data.
  8. Explain the main steps in a processing sequence.
  9. List the main types of noise and describe attenuation methods for these.
  10. Describe the various velocities used in seismic and how to access them.
  11. Identify multiples and explain methods to attenuate them.
  12. Discuss the need for regularization.
  13. Describe the migration process and list the difference between Time/Depth Migrations.

Geological Controls on Production in Unconventional Reservoirs (G052)

Tutor(s)

Bruce Hart: Freelance Geologist and Adjunct Professor at Western University, Ontario.

Overview

This course classifies unconventional reservoirs from a petroleum systems perspective and leads participants through how depositional controls on reservoir architecture and mechanical stratigraphy affect development strategies.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 3 days; a mix of lectures exercises. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Four 4-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. Intended for subsurface professionals (geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, reservoir-, completion- and drilling engineers) who have some working knowledge of unconventional reservoirs but are looking to understand how multi-disciplinary integration can improve exploration and development decisions.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Describe unconventional reservoirs based on all parts of their petroleum system’s character, and use that knowledge in a predictive way at all steps from exploration to development
  2. Maximize the benefit of common tools for unconventional reservoir characterization.
  3. Define stratigraphic and structural controls on development strategies: landing-zone definition, horizontal vs vertical wells
  4. Develop a common language that can be used to facilitate information exchange between various engineering and geoscience subdisciplines.

Geomechanics for Unconventional Developments (G051)

Tutor(s)

Marisela Sanchez-Nagel and/or Neal Nagel: OilField Geomechanics LLC.

Overview

The course starts with an introduction to geomechanics fundamentals and then aspects relevant to unconventionals are developed, especially as they relate to the effect of fabric and heterogeneity. “Common knowledge” is challenged and popular procedures are presented in the light of geomechanics fundamentals and concepts. Recent topics such as cube developments and frac hits are discussed. This is an in-depth but engaging training course.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 3 days; a mix of lectures (80%) and hands-on exercises and/or examples (20%). The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Five 4-hour interactive online sessions presented over 5 days. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Interactive questioning and possibly breakout sessions will be utilized to reinforce learnings.

Level and Audience

Advanced. Intended for geoscientists, reservoir and completion engineers and petrophysicists who wish to understand how geomechanics can help them effectively develop their reservoirs.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the fundamentals of geomechanics including stress and strain, pore pressure evaluation, mechanical rock behavior and geomechanical models.
  2. Gain an understanding of conventional fracturing models in unconventional developments and the associated workflow.
  3. Describe the properties of naturally fractured reservoirs including their influence on drilling, stimulation and production.
  4. Perform reservoir quality evaluations including the assessment of poroperm, natural fractures, pressures and mechanical properties as quality indicators.
  5. Characterize shale properties including shale types, brittle versus ductile behavior and geological scenarios for completions.
  6. Assess the influence of the stress field and in-situ pore pressure on hydraulic fracture behavior.
  7. Assess the microseismic response with anisotropic stresses and the use of numerical models for interpretation and characterization.
  8. Characterize the effects of multiple well completions in a fractured rock mass.
  9. Assess the types of hydraulic fracture monitoring including microseismic monitoring.

Cretaceous Lacustrine Carbonate Reservoirs of the South Atlantic (G045)

Tutor(s)

Paul Wright: Independent Consultant.

Overview

This course provides a description of the highly unusual carbonate reservoirs deposited in the Santos Basin (offshore Brazil) during the rift to sag stages of Atlantic opening, and a discussion of the controversies surrounding their origin. Particular emphasis will be given to the Aptian so-called microbialite reservoirs (Barra Velha Formation and equivalents), reviewing both of the main models for their development and evaluating the seismic and sedimentological models. A practical approach to characterizing these complex rock types will be provided. The course will include an introduction to non-marine carbonate systems in extensional settings, as well as a review of the South Atlantic coquina reservoirs.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A 2-day classroom course. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Four 3-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days. A digital manual will be distributed to participants before the course. Some reading is to be completed by participants off-line.

Level and Audience

Advanced. Intended for technical staff and managers who are involved in exploration for or exploitation of carbonates along the margins of the South Atlantic, or are interested in furthering their understanding of carbonate reservoirs in general.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Recognize the range of carbonate systems that develop in extensional settings.
  2. Describe the highly unusual and prolific Aptian carbonate reservoirs of the Santos Basin.
  3. Contrast the models for the formation of these chemogenic rocks and discuss their differences.
  4. Evaluate the strikingly different reservoir characteristics that emerge from the two models.

Key Concepts in Clastic Reservoir Performance (G044)

Tutor(s)

Mike Boyles: Retired Shell Oil; Affiliate Faculty, Colorado School of Mines.

Overview

This course presents the concepts and terms used to describe the sedimentology, stratigraphy and structure of clastic units, and introduces the environments of deposition of clastic sediments. The awareness of these topics and their heterogeneities allows participants to understand their role in predicting reservoir performance in exploration projects, in development planning and in managing field performance.

This course presents a stand-alone overview of clastic reservoirs and would be beneficial for any subsurface team member. It also serves to provide the framework for the geologic concepts that are examined in Clastic Reservoirs Field Seminar: Stratigraphic and Structural Heterogeneities That Impact Exploration and Production Reservoir Performance (G012). Attending G044 will allow G012 participants to maximize the benefit of spending time in the field. For a more detailed approach to the subject in the classroom, consider the 5-day Introduction to Clastic Reservoirs: Stratigraphic and Structural Heterogeneities That Impact Performance (G047).

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A 1-day classroom course comprising a mix of lectures (75%) and hands-on exercises (25%). The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Two 4-hour interactive online sessions presented over 2 days. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course. Some reading and an exercise are to be completed by participants off-line.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This is a refresher course for geoscientists and an overview of geologic basics for reservoir engineers, petrophysicists, managers and support staff.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the basic terminology of sedimentology, stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy.
  2. Describe key characteristics of eolian, coastal plain, delta and deepwater reservoirs.
  3. Understand how subsurface reservoirs can be divided into flow units that capture key reservoir flow characteristics.
  4. Describe heterogeneities that can impact flow unit properties.
  5. Understand how sequence stratigraphic concepts are applied in a practical and predictive way.

An Introduction to Mudrock Reservoirs: Basin Setting, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Rock Properties (G042)

Tutor(s)

Jeff May: Geological Consultant; Affiliate Faculty, Colorado School of Mines.

Overview

The evaluation of shale reservoirs presents a unique challenge: whereas some of the approaches applied are the same as for conventional reservoirs, many new methodologies and tools have been developed for the assessment of this unconventional resource. In this seminar, participants are exposed to the latest concepts of mudrock sedimentation and how it relates to reservoir properties. The development of mudrock successions, including depositional processes and stratigraphic cycles, is highlighted. Goals of the course include:

  • Providing practical techniques for assessing reservoir heterogeneity during play reconnaissance (‘data mining’) and regional evaluation (‘sweet spot’ mapping).
  • Interpreting and correlating well logs within a sequence-stratigraphic framework.
  • Learning what components are fundamental to core description and interpretation, including observations on composition, texture, sedimentary structures and fractures.
  • Developing an understanding of the factors that control reservoir quality: mineralogy, lithologic components, cements, fabric, fractures and pore systems. Methods used to investigate these rock properties also will be discussed.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A 2-day classroom course comprising a mix of lectures (80%) and hands-on exercises (20%). The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Four 4-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course. Some reading and several exercises are to be completed by participants off-line.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. Intended for all subsurface professionals involved in the evaluation of unconventional resources. Geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists and engineers who want to understand mudrock deposition relative to reservoir properties will benefit from the concepts and techniques presented. Participants should have a basic familiarity with resource plays. Some understanding of depositional processes and sequence stratigraphy is recommended.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Determine the key geologic parameters that affect the attributes of shale reservoirs.
  2. Identify the components of basin analysis required when scoping a new shale play.
  3. Integrate a variety of data types necessary to identify and map optimum drilling locations and targets.
  4. Evaluate the variety of depositional processes and changes in environmental conditions recorded in a shale succession and tie that information back to well log character.
  5. Assess the basic stratigraphic framework of shale reservoirs and understand how systematic vertical changes relate to fabric, composition, texture and, ultimately, reservoir quality.
  6. Interpret and correlate well logs utilizing a sequence stratigraphic framework.
  7. Understand the observations and methodology necessary when describing and interpreting mudrock cores.
  8. Define the key rock parameters that control reservoir quality and mechanical properties.
  9. Describe the latest methodologies of pore-scale imaging for shale evaluation.