D483 Geological Seismic Interpretation of Deepwater Systems: Depositional Environments, Reservoir Architecture and Stratigraphy
Course Facts
- Course Code:
- D483
- Duration:
- 3 days
- Type:
- Virtual Classroom
- CEU:
- 2.4 Continuing Education Units
- PDH:
- 24 Professional Development Hours
- Certificate:
- Certificate Issued Upon Completion
Summary
Business Impact: Provides the skills and techniques required to more effectively map different deepwater facies, leading to better understanding of the reservoir distribution and stratigraphic trap potential.
This course focuses on the seismic stratigraphic interpretation of deepwater depositional systems and has an emphasis on utilising practical workflows for mapping, predicting and quantifying deepwater reservoirs. Through this, the course provides seismic interpreters with the skills and techniques required to more efficiently map different deepwater facies leading to better understanding of the reservoir distribution and stratigraphic trap potential. This can be utilised in all stages of the E&P cycle.
Duration and Training Method
A virtual classroom course divided into 6 three to three and a half hour webinar sessions (equivalent to a three-day classroom course), comprising lectures, discussion, case studies, and practical exercises to be completed by participants during sessions.
Participants will learn to:
- Develop a systematic approach to mapping, and interpreting deepwater depositional systems at scales from basin to individual reservoirs.
- Evaluate seismic facies to create depositional models and predict reservoir presence, distribution, and quality.
- Assess implications of interpretations on lithology, net-to-gross, and reservoir properties.
Lectures will provide a summary of the fundamentals of deepwater depositional systems. The principal goal of the course is to provide subsurface seismic interpreters with practical workflows for interpretation and hands-on experience in seismic stratigraphic interpretation.
Topic 1: Deepwater depositional systems – fundamentals
A brief overview and reminder so we are all using similar language
- Depositional processes and facies
- Sequence stratigraphic setting
- Submarine Fan types and controls
Topic 2: Slope types and Key depositional elements (Channels, MTC’s, Sheets)
An overview of slope types based on degree of structuration and confinement of depositional systems. Identification of the key facies elements common to all deep-water deposits. This will form the basis for the rest of the course.
Topic 3: Application of workflow for channel systems
Channels are major reservoir systems on slopes. We will investigate the downdip changes in channel style across a slope and the associated internal stratigraphic and facies architecture. Channels are very variable and the key is to recognise elements which are common to each as a basis for initial mapping. This allows us to develop a simple but highly effective workflow for systematic analysis of channel systems.
- Mapping methodologies
- Stratigraphic architecture
- Facies prediction and reservoir quality
Topic 4: Application of workflow for sheet systems
Sheet sands occur in a wide variety of setting including ponded basis, stepped slopes and basin floors. However, we can generate an analytical approach and workflow which is applicable in all of these settings.
- Mapping methodologies
- Stratigraphic architecture
- Controls of slope topography
- Facies prediction and reservoir quality
Topic 5: Application of workflow for Mass Transport Complexes
Mass Transport Complexes only very rarely form reservoirs with sustainable production rates in deep water. However, we can recognise many ways in which they can be critical in controlling the distribution and character of reservoirs and as potential seals. We will investigate the following:
- Mapping methodologies
- Stratigraphic architecture
- Impact on reservoir distribution
Topic 6: Stratigraphic traps
Stratigraphic traps can be important throughout a basin history from early exploration to new plays in a mature basin. Without strong, calibrated DHI’s they will always be relatively high risk plays. The key is how we can keep them in our prospect portfolio to a point at which we might consider drilling one. We will discuss the significant factors that help us focus on areas with the greatest stratigraphic trapping potential:
- Significance
- Definition
Who should attend
Geoscientists working on deepwater sediments, whether in exploration, appraisal, development or production.
Prerequisites and linking courses
Participants will benefit if they have some knowledge of deepwater sedimentology but this will be covered to a fundamental level on the course. Participants should have at least basic experience in seismic interpretation.
There are a wide range of linking Nautilus Training Alliance field courses that explore deepwater clastic systems worldwide, including N009 (Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Reservoir Geology of Deepwater Clastic Systems - County Clare, Ireland) and N033 (Characterisation, Modelling, Simulation and Development Planning in Deepwater Clastic Reservoirs -Tabernas, Spain).
N485 (Advanced Seismic Interpretation) provides further information about the interpretation of features on seismic profiles.
Click on a name to learn more about the instructor
Mike Mayall
Mike Mayall
Background
Mike Mayall is a consultant for the oil industry and has also helped develop and deliver industry training courses on ‘Passive margin play concepts’ and ‘Maximising the impact of analogues across the E&P cycle’. He is a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London with a research program on sedimentation and tectonics in slope systems. He also teaches on the Petroleum Geology MSc course. Mike works with the Aberdeen University deep-water PRAXS consortia on developing workflows for interpreting deep-water slope systems. He has numerous publications particularly on deep-water sediments.
Mike started at BP as a sedimentologist in the International group in London and worked on numerous projects from all over the world, particularly in Indonesia, Ireland, Norway and Alaska. He later became manager of the International Sedimentology group and subsequently moved to Houston as manager of an Integrated Reservoir Description group. Mike spent four years in Houston where he was involved in many projects including early exploration and appraisal of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. On returning to London Mike worked on major projects in the NW shelf of Australia and on clastic and carbonate reservoirs offshore Vietnam. When new giant discoveries were made in deepwater offshore Angola Mike was part of the small BP team which evaluated the discoveries and took them through the BP sanctioning process. During this time Mike was able to interpret the fabulous seismic data, integrate with small multidiscipline teams and work with, and learn from, the operating teams in other major companies. Through this thrilling and exhilarating period Mike was involved in the appraisal and sanctioning of ten major projects in deepwater reservoirs. Thirty four years after starting with BP, Mike retired to become an independent consultant.
Mike’s key skills are in reducing complex technical issues to practical and pragmatic value focused on important element of a project. He is an energetic and passionate advocate of technical quality, teaching and coaching of both young and more experienced professionals. Mike has taught many field and classroom training courses ranging from basic sedimentology and petroleum geology to conducting advanced workshops. Mike has always had strong links with academia and he is enthusiastic about applying research results to industry subsurface problems. Mike has published papers on clay mineralogy, Devonian limestones, shelf edge deltas, tufted algal mats, Miocene carbonates and earthquake beds. His more recent work has been focussed on deepwater reservoirs and he has published a number of papers with colleagues from industry and academia.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD Reading University - The late Triassic (Rhaetian) transgression in SW Britain
MSc Reading University - Sedimentology and it’s Applications
BSc Cardiff University - Geology, Honors
Courses Taught
D533: Deepwater Deposiitional Systems (Virtual Outcrops)
N372: Integrated Subsurface Description in a Working Petroleum System (North Derbyshire, UK)
N380: Seismic Interpretation Workshop: Play Recognition on Passive Margins
N477: A Systematic Approach to Defining and Evaluating Stratigraphic and Subtle Combination Traps
N483: Geological Seismic Interpretation of Deepwater Systems: Depositional Environments, Reservoir Architecture and Stratigraphy
Dates for this Course
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