Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas | Structure and Tectonics
Fault Mapping: Class and Field Seminar (Texas, USA)
Format and Duration:
5 days
This structural geology seminar enables exploration and production geoscientists to significantly improve their fault mapping skills and deepen their understanding of fault networks. Field observations and exercises enhance classroom lectures and exercises. The course is taught in and within 50mi (81km) north of San Antonio, Texas.
Schedule
Duration and Training Method
A five-day classroom (3 days) and field (2 days) seminar comprising of lectures and exercises with two days fieldwork, also with practical exercises.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Analyze various types of fault systems, including those that form in contractional, strike-slip, extensional and salt regimes.
- Differentiate the types and geometry of faults.
- Analyze the processes and conditions involved in faulting.
- Demonstrate ways in which faults influence hydrocarbon exploration and production.
- Apply rules for fault and horizon mapping and cross-section construction in order to avoid exploration and production failures.
- Demonstrate pitfalls in fault mapping.
- Compare different fault styles, and discuss how faults can affect reservoir quality.
- Employ recent developments in structural geology and fault trap and seal analysis.
Course Content
Designed to address the critical need to improve the structural interpretation and mapping abilities of exploration and production geoscientists, the course covers a broad spectrum of topics including:
1. fault system basics (terminology, geometry),
2. structural styles of natural fault systems,
3.rules and relationships for fault and horizon mapping and cross section construction, and
4. recent developments in structural geology and fault trap and seal analysis.
The focus is on making maps that are both based on available data and consistent with structural styles, rules, and relationships appropriate for the structural regime, stratigraphic setting, and deformation conditions. Contractional, strike-slip, extensional, and salt regimes are addressed. Included are lessons on the importance of honoring the data, the variability of natural fault systems, pitfalls in fault mapping, and good practices to avoid exploration and production failures.
Itinerary (all nights are spent in the San Antonio area):
Day 1: Fault Fundamentals in the classroom
-Stress, strain and faulting
-Mechanical stratigraphy
-Fault topology and terminology
-Extensional faults and fault systems
-Fault geometry, including fault bend folding
Day 2: Field trip in the Balcones Fault System
Day 3: Intermediate Topics in the classroom
-Cross-section interpretation
-Fault zone processes
-Fault seals
Day 4: Field trip to Hidden Valley Fault in Canyon Lake Gorge
Day 5: Advanced Concepts and Pointers in the classroom
-Fault scaling
-Slip tendency and dilation tendency
-Fault juxtaposition analysis
Who Should Attend and Prerequisites
The course is intended for geoscientists performing hydrocarbon exploration or production activities in structurally deformed regions. Technical support staff involved in mapping and reservoir engineers will also benefi t from the course.
Instructors
David Ferrill
Background
Dr. Ferrill is a structural geologist with international research experience in contractional, extensional, and strike-slip tectonic regimes, and oil and gas exploration and production experience. He has conducted research on geometric and kinematic analysis of folding and faulting processes, curvature of mountain belts, regional tectonics, hydrocarbon trap integrity, reservoir characterization, aquifer characterization, and interpretation of tectonic stress fields and rock deformation mechanisms with emphasis on mechanical stratigraphy and fault and fracture characterization. Study areas have included the Appalachians; the Basin and Range Province and Colorado Plateau of the western United States; the Permian Basin; the Gulf of Mexico Basin; offshore Newfoundland; the Northern Range of Trinidad; the French Alps; offshore Vietnam; offshore Turkey; the Arabian Gulf; and the Zagros Belt.
As an Institute Scientist, Dr. Ferrill develops and executes projects with emphasis on oil and gas exploration and production. Dr. Ferrill performs contract consulting and structural geology and geomechanics training for the oil industry. He is a licensed professional geoscientist (geology) in the state of Texas. Previously at Shell Offshore Inc., Dr. Ferrill executed regional to prospect scale structural and stratigraphic analyses that led 3D seismic acquisition, multiple offshore lease purchases, and two commercial hydrocarbon discoveries in traps controlled by complex extensional and salt-related structures.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Alabama
MSc West Virginia University
BSc Georgia State University
Courses Taught
N114: Extensional Tectonics and Normal Faulting (Nevada & California, USA)
N134: Carbonate and Shale Faulting and Fracturing Field Seminar (Texas, USA)
N180: Fault Mapping: Class and Field Seminar (Texas, USA)
N207: Fault Mapping: Class and Field Seminar (Haute Savoie, France)
N381: Influence of Tectonics and Mechanical Stratigraphy on Natural Deformation in the Permian Basin (Texas, USA)
Accreditation and Certification
CEU: 4 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 40 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.