Geology For Non-Geologists

Type:

Training Course

Length:

4 Days

CEU:

3.2

PDH:

Fee:

$2695 CAD

Upcoming Sessions

There is currently no upcoming sessions available for this course. Please check back later!

Course Description

This popular four-day course will provide non-geologists with a practical understanding of the principles used by petroleum geologists in the search for oil and gas. The sessions will include both the scientific background and the practical applications of geology. The tools, techniques, and vocabulary of the petroleum geologist will be emphasized throughout the course.

A complete set of course materials will be provided to students as a digital download. Please note that you must bring your laptop or tablet to class to access the course materials.

Participants will learn to:

Understand how the nature of geology itself affects the way geologists approach problem solving.
Describe the paradigm of plate tectonics and how modern exploration uses the concepts of the plate tectonic model in the search for oil and gas.
Communicate more effectively in geoscience meetings through an understanding of the terms, tools, and techniques used in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons.
Tell the difference between rock types and know why some are, or are not, suitable reservoirs for oil and gas
Define the concept of the petroleum system and how it aids in the interpretation and evaluation of hydrocarbon generation, maturation, migration, and accumulation.
Understand the information illustrated through the construction and interpretation of cross sections and maps.
Describe the importance and use of analogs in interpreting subsurface data.
Distinguish the difference between stratigraphic and structural traps for oil and gas and how to recognize them from cross sections and maps.
Know how to recognize different depositional environments using facies maps, isopachs, and fence diagrams.
Describe the importance of environments of deposition in predicting the distribution, location, and geometry of reservoir rocks.
Describe the difference between porosity and permeability and discuss the importance of each in conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
Describe the characteristics of shales and the geologic parameters that control "sweet spots" in shale plays
Understand the basics of well-log analysis and formation evaluation, including basic tool types, their measurements, and interpretation of lithology, porosity, and water saturation
Calculate oil-in-place (OIP) reserves using log-derived data.
Appreciate the importance of sample examination and the recognition and interpretation of oil shows at the wellsite.
Understand the basic principles of seismic prospecting and know the difference between 2D, 3D, and 4D seismic.

Who Should Attend

The course is designed for anyone in the oil and gas industry who does not have a geological background. Previous attendees include petroleum engineers, geophysicists, geotechs, finance and personnel officers, managers, administrative assistants, and accounting, IT, land, and public/investor relations personnel.

Course Outline

Day One

Introduction; the practice and profession of petroleum geology
Physical and historical geology; methodology – the principal of uniformity
Earth’s structure; the Big Picture – How the Earth works

Plate tectonics
Basin formation and importance to oil and gas

Rocks and minerals

Rock identification and classification: source rocks, reservoir rocks, and seals
Primary and secondary porosity
Permeability

Sedimentology

Depositional environments and their significance to reservoir rock properties

EXERCISE: rock and mineral identification
Origin, nature, and occurrence of petroleum
The Total Petroleum System concept

Primary and secondary migration of hydrocarbons
Conventional and unconventional resources – shale gas, oil shale, oil sands, gas hydrates

Day Two

Stratigraphy

Utility of fossils in oil and gas
Stratigraphic correlation

Geological time and dating events

Radiometric age dating

The geological time scale
Transgressions and regressions

Facies and prediction of reservoir trends

EXERCISES: working with cross sections and relative dating of events, creating and interpreting fence diagrams, facies mapping
Structural geology; determining the attitude of beds – strike and dip

Brittle vs. ductile deformation – folds, faults and fractures

Block diagrams: formation and description of petroleum traps

Day Three

History of petroleum exploration
Surface and subsurface mapping methods

Field work

Structural and stratigraphic cross-sections
Contouring

Structure maps
Isopach maps

Exploration methods - generating and evaluating prospects
EXERCISES: Geological map interpretation and constructing cross-sections, correlating cross-sections, structure contour mapping

Day Four

Introduction to wireline well logging

Picking tops
Calculating subsea values for structure mapping
Formation evaluation
Logging methods
Interpreting gamma ray
SP
Sonic
Neutron-density and PE curves
Image tools
Logging while drilling – geosteering

Calculating reserves – oil in place (OIP)
Geophysical methods

Seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation
Direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI)
2D, 3D, and 4D seismic
Multi-azimuth, VSP, and Microseismic applications

Geochemical methods

Microseeps
Surface soil sampling

Well-site geology

Sample examination
Oil and gas shows
Mud logs
Formation evaluation
Drill Stem tests
Sources of data

Scout tickets
Land/lease/license maps
Oil and gas field publications
Geological reports

EXERCISES: Log interpretation – picking tops, determining lithology, calculating porosity, water saturation, and calculating reserves

Instructor

Paul H. Pausé, P.Geol

Paul H. Pausé is an independent petroleum geologist in Midland, Texas, centrally located in the prolific and currently booming Permian Basin of west Texas and southeast New Mexico.He earned a bachelor's degree in geology at the University of California at Berkeley, and a master's degree in geology at UCLA.

Paul began his career as a petroleum geologist with AtlanticRichfield Company, and moved to Midland, Texas, with ARCO in 1977. After leaving ARCO, he worked for JM Huber, Davis Oil, and HCW Exploration. Paul now consults on exploration and development projects, generates and sells his own drilling prospects, and teaches courses in petroleum geology at the Petroleum Professional Development Center in Midland, and worldwide through public and in-house offerings.
Paul is an active member of several professional societies including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Geological Society of America, the Geological Society of London, the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (SIPES), and the West Texas Geological Society.

Paul has received the Dedicated Service award from the WTGS and the Permian Basin Section SEPM and has been awarded Honorary Life Membership in both organizations, their highest recognition. He is a recipient of the A.I. Levorsen Award for Best Paper Presentation at the Southwest Section meeting of the AAPG.

Paul is currently President of the Southwest Section AAPG

Read More about Paul H. Pausé, P.Geol

COURSE INFORMATION