Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas | Structure and Tectonics

Structure and Fault Systems in Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production (Southern Pyrenees, Spain)

Course Code: N142
Instructors:  Josep Anton MunozEduard Roca
Course Outline:  Download
Format and Duration:
6 days

Summary

This field and classroom course examines the structural interpretation of fault systems in contractional and extensional tectonic regimes from outcrop to regional scale. The Spanish Pyrenees are a magnificent natural laboratory in which to study thrust structures, as well as inverted extensional basins. These basins exhibit facies and geometries of syn-rift sediments, enabling analysis of extensional fault geometries and subsequent inversion. 

Feedback

Very good course. Information gained in this class will have direct effect on my interpretations and evaluations of structural plays/prospects currently and in the future.

Duration and Training Method

A six-day field course with field observations and exercises supported by classroom lectures. The proportion of field time to classroom time is approximately 80:20. This course will also make use of Digital Outcrop Imagery (DOI).

Course Overview

Participants will learn to:

  1. Characterise thrusts and related structural styles in the field including different fault-related folds and thrust sequences.
  2. Evaluate extensional fault systems at crustal and outcrop scales and analyse extensional fault geometries and related structures in 2D and 3D.
  3. Determine the structural features typical of regions where multiple deformation events have occurred – in particular the reactivation of faults and structural inversion.
  4. Interpret growth strata and decipher the kinematics of structures from their analysis.
  5. Analyse the influence of salt on extensional and contractional structural styles.
  6. Integrate surface data with subsurface data (seismic and well data), apply this knowledge in the construction of cross sections and 3D structural models.
  7. Apply the knowledge gained to improve structural interpretations or to validate interpretations. 
  8. Analyse the influence of fracture systems and fault sealing on reservoir production/performance.

This is a six-day combined field and classroom course which aims to review the fundamentals of structural interpretation of fault systems and related structures. The course will cover contractional and extensional structural regimes from outcrop to regional scale. It will be held in the southern Pyrenees of Spain to take advantage of the excellent exposures of this magnificent natural laboratory. Field case studies will be combined with seismic examples, numerical models and exploration case studies.

The course will be based in the Can Boix resort (www.canboix.com). This hotel is located at the South-Pyrenean thrust front and is a superb locality for thrust tectonics related topics. It is also close to an inverted extensional basin which beautifully demonstrates tectonic inversion geometries. Well-preserved facies and geometries of the syn-rift sediments will enable discussion of the extensional fault geometries of this inverted basin.

Structural models

  • Construction of cross-sections and 3D structural models from surface and subsurface data. Restoration and forward modelling
  • Fault systems
    Geometry and definition of the main geometrical features. Types of faults and fault classification. Fault-related rocks
  • Thrust systems
    Introduction to orogenic systems and thrust and fold belts: mechanics and evolution
    Geometry of thrust systems: a single surface. Thrust systems. Thrust sequences
    Fault-related folds: fault-bend folds, fault-propagation folds and detachment folds
    Other kinds of thrust-related folds. Growth geometries of syn-orogenic sediments
    Tectonic styles of thrust systems: emergent thrust systems, deepwater thrust and fold belts and thrust fronts
  • Extensional fault systems
    Introduction to the geometry of extensional systems at crustal scale
    Geometry of extensional fault systems and related structures: from a single fault at 2D to complex geometries at 3D. Fault-related folds in extensional regimes
  • Inversion tectonics
    Introduction: mechanics of fault reactivation. Kind of inversion tectonics
    Inversion tectonic geometries and related structures
  • Salt tectonics
    Structural styles associated with salt tectonics

Programme

Day 0

  • Group assembles in Barcelona.

Day 1

  • Classroom sessions: Introductions. Introduction to the geology of the southern Pyrenees. Introduction to fault systems.
  • Field excursion – depart Barcelona, examination of extensional fault systems en route to Can Boix.

Day 2

  • Classroom sessions: Seismic exercises of Western Mediterranean and Atlantic extensional fault systems. Discussion of the Catalan Coastal Ranges extensional fault system basen on field and seismic data.
  • Field trip to the frontal thrust system of the south-central Pyrenees. The topic of the trip will focus on the thrust geometry of an emergent thrust front and a thrust imbricate stack. Thrust sequences will be discussed on the basis of the geometrical and age relationships between synorogenic sediments and thrust structures.

Day 3

  • Classroom sessions: Thrust-related folds. Tectonic styles of thrust systems. Mapping and seismic exercises will complement field observations.
  • Field excursion to the Sant Corneli-Bóixols fault-propagation anticline. Geometry from field, seismic and well data. 3D geometry, kinematics and fracture distribution.

Day 4

  • Classroom sessions: Inversion tectonics.
  • Field trip to the Organyà Early Cretaceous inverted basin. Inversion tectonic geometries. Discussion on different inversion events: inversion in a strike-slip regime and inversion during the Pyrenean compressive event. Geometry of the extensional structures and their relationships with the facies and geometries of the syn-rift sediments. 

Day 5

  • Classroom sessions: Review of structural styles studied and case studies discussed, related to the different tectonic regimes.
  • Field excursion to Boixols anticline to examine carbonate fracture systems and fault sealing capacity.

 

Day 6

  • Classroom sessions: Growth strata.
  • Examination of growth strata in the field.
  • Return to Barcelona late afternoon/early evening.

The course is aimed at non-specialist explorationists, geologists and geophysicists wishing to improve their understanding of structural geology, particularly in regions of multiple deformation. The course is suitable for early to mid-career geoscientists or new hires with some background in structural seismic interpretation. Experienced workers may also benefit from the course as an update and refresher to modern structural geological thinking.  

Josep Anton Munoz

Background
Josep Anton Muñoz is professor of structural geology at the University of Barcelona and head of the Geodynamics and Basin Analysis Research Group.

He worked for the Servei Geològic de Catalunya from 1985 to 1990, when he joined the University of Barcelona. His research interests include the structure of sedimentary basins in different tectonic settings (contractional, extensional and strike slip), tectonics of orogenic systems, tectono-sedimentary relationships, salt tectonics, and construction and validation of 3-D structural models. He has mostly worked in the Pyrenees, but also in many other areas such as the Alps, Andes, Antarctica, Betics, Morrocco Atlantic margin, Flinders Ranges, Gulf of Mexico, Hellenids, Tanzania and Zagros Mountains. His research is based on field studies and their integration with seismic and well data. He has led the development of new methodologies for the 3D construction of structural models ant their validation combining numerical and analogue models. He has conducted many research projects and courses (both field and indoor) for oil companies and international research institutions. He has over 260 published papers, half of them in SCI international journals. He was awarded in 2006 by the Generalitat de Catalunya as a Distinct Researcher.

Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Barcelona
MSc University of Barcelona - Geology

Courses Taught
N056: Turbidite Systems and Their Response to growing Structures (Pyrenees, Spain)
N142: Structure and Fault Systems in Hydrocarbon Exploration (Southern Pyrenees, Spain)
N232: Salt Tectonics: Global Styles, Spanish Outcrops (Basque-Cantabrian Pyrenees, Spain)
N325: Advanced Structural Interpretation for Petroleum Exploration and Development in Fold and Thrust belts

Eduard Roca

Background
Dr. Eduard Roca possesses over 25 years of industrial and academic experience. After graduating Eduard completed a PhD thesis in collaboration with the Institut Français du Pétrole on the structure of the Valencia Trough (Western Mediterranean).

In 1992, Eduard spent a year working at the Institut Français du Pétrole as a research fellow. While in Paris, Eduard conducted research into hydrocarbon exploration in the Outer Carpathians, paying special attention on the relationships between thrusting and the pre-existing structure.

At the beginning of 1993, Eduard rejoined the University of Barcelona, where he has remained since, first as an assistant, then in 2002 as a professor of Structural Geology in the Department of Geodynamics and Geophysics.  During this time, he has taught undergraduates and graduates structural geology, basin analysis and geological cartography, and advised graduate students in structural geology, basin analysis, 3D geological reconstructions and salt tectonic projects. Often in collaboration with oil companies, Eduard’s research projects have been drawn from Europe, South America and North Africa. Also, since 2002, Eduard has conducted training courses on structural geology and salt tectonics for Total, Repsol and the Nautilus Geoscience Training Alliance.

Present-day Eduard’s primary interests are salt and inversion tectonics although he continues working in 3D reservoir reconstructions, tectono-sedimentary relationships and the characterization of extensional and contractional fault systems.

Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Barcelona, Catalonia - Geology
BSc University of Barcelona, Catalonia - Geology

Courses Taught
N142: Structure and Fault Systems in Hydrocarbon Exploration (Southern Pyrenees, Spain)
N232: Salt Tectonics: Global Styles, Spanish Outcrops (Basque-Cantabrian Pyrenees, Spain)

CEU: 4.8 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 48 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.