Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas | Basin Analysis
Petroleum Geology of Kurdistan
Format and Duration:
5 days
This course examines the key elements of the hydrocarbon systems prevalent in Kurdistan; source, reservoir, trap and migration are evaluated in relation to regional stratigraphy, and integrated with the geodynamic history of the Middle East from Lower Palaeozoic times to the present day. Theoretical concepts are illustrated with extensive examples of surface and sub-surface geology from across Kurdistan.
Schedule
Duration and Training Method
This is a classroom course. Classwork will consist of keynote presentations, combined with hands-on practical exercises. Theory covered in the classroom will be richly illustrated with real case studies from the wider Zagros region: the main emphasis of the course will be the direct applicability of theoretical concepts to specific examples from Kurdistan.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Describe the key elements of hydrocarbon systems in Kurdistan, and place these elements within a regional litho-stratigraphic framework.
- Identify four-way closing anticlines as potential hydrocarbon traps, using satellite imagery and geological maps.
- Examine anticlines to assess the structural integrity and look for evidence that a trap is breached.
- Summarise overall structural geometry from 2D seismic data.
- Categorise Kurdistan reservoirs in relation to matrix and fracture permeability and porosity.
- Describe the key components of a conceptual fracture network model.
- Interpret stacked petroleum plays in terms of multiple source rocks and reservoirs.
- Relate the regional stratigraphic framework to a plate tectonic model for the wider Middle East region, incorporating opening of the Tethys oceans, and closure to form the Zagros mountain belt.
- Use regional geodynamics to predict timing of hydrocarbon migration and variation in maturity across Kurdistan.
Course Content
Regional plate kinematics & Middle East geodynamics
- Overall tectonic framework with timing of main events
- Proto-Tethys, Paleo-Tethys, Neo-Tethys oceans
- Oblique closure, transpression, and Zagros collision
Core structural concepts (refresher)
- 3D fold geometries, anticlinal traps, trap integrity
- Thrusts and thrust-related folding
- Fractures and fracture systems
- Fractures in relation to folding
- Structural inheritance, basement reactivation
Zagros stratigraphy
- Litho-stratigraphy, bio-stratigraphy, chrono-stratigraphy
- Stacked reservoir-seal pairs
- Mechanical stratigraphy in relation to regional folding & thrusting
- Multiple detachment levels
Regional Petroleum Systems
- Zagros play types
- Proven petroleum systems
Mapping surface geology
- Importance of field survey
- Use of satellite imagery to complement fieldwork
Sub-surface data & interpretation
- Challenges of seismic interpretation
- Borehole logs and correlation
- Use of satellite imagery to complement fieldwork
Balanced cross-sections
- Construction, balancing and restoration
- Assumptions and limitations
Fractured reservoirs
- Characterising fracture networks
- Influence of mechanical stratigraphy on fracture systems
- From outcrop to Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) modelling
Surface & near-surface processes: gravity, erosion, evaporite dissolution
Who Should Attend and Prerequisites
The course is aimed at early-career geoscientists, as well more experienced geologists looking to consolidate their understanding of Kurdistan petroleum geology. Cross-discipline workers such as geophysicists and reservoir engineers may also benefit from the course as an update and refresher.
Instructors
Richard Jones
Background
Dr. Richard Jones is a structural geologist and the CEO for Geospatial Research Ltd. His 26 years of industry experience compile a variety of hands-on geoscience projects spanning five continents and including regional syntheses and field studies in many areas of petroleum exploration worldwide. His research focus in structural geology includes fault and fold geometries and processes, especially in areas involving complex three-dimensional deformation.
Geospatial Research Ltd. (GRL) is an independent company with close links to Durham University, that specialises in leading edge research and commercial application of integrated geoscience solutions from field, satellite and map data to inform sub-surface interpretations. GRL has been engaged in commercial projects spanning most of the world’s petroleum provinces and possesses a collective experience of many thousand field days across five continents. Its recent clients include Afren, BP, BG, Dana, EcoPetrol, Exxon Mobil, Gulf Keystone, Hess, Lundin, Maersk, Marathon, Neftex, Nexen, Oil Search Ltd, PetroCeltic, Perenco, Petronas, Repsol, Shell, Statoil, Total, and others.
Geospatial Research Ltd. has very extensive field experience in the Middle East, particularly the northern Zagros in NE Iraq and SE Turkey, with 24 successful field campaigns for 14 companies since 2009. GRL has regional mapping expertise for the entire Zagros based on interpretation of satellite, and it has proven capability of producing Zagros-wide geological maps, cross-sections and geodynamic interpretations. GRL Zagros’ operations include extensive mapping of 19 license blocks in KRG, studying parts of a further 21 KRG blocks (not full surveys), carrying out detailed fracture characterisation on 10 blocks, and constructing balanced cross-section for regional and detailed anticline studies (143 Zagros cross-sections totalling more than 6,800 km.)
Accreditation and Certification
CEU: 3.5 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 35 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.