Clastic Reservoir Characterization and Sequence Stratigraphy

Introduction

Clastic hydrocarbon reservoirs hold more than 40% of world oil and 60% of world gas reserves. Sandstones provide the best known conventional reservoirs although more and more unconventional tight reservoirs including low porosity and permeability sandstones, siltstones and shales are being exploited for oil and gas production. 

The objectives of this training course are to understand the deposition of clastic reservoir sequences and with the use of sequence stratigraphy and integrated stratigraphic analysis to further constrain geological models. Ultimately it can be used to predict and discover more hydrocarbon plays by understanding where to look for these systems tracts in a typical basin setting. These techniques will also be used to improve the estimation of play and prospect risk and to determine what lithology is going to be drilled ahead of the drill bit.

An overview of depositional environments and characteristics of unconventional reservoirs will also be discussed. This course will be presented as a 5-day interactive course dealing with the fundamentals of clastic reservoir characterization and the practical and predictive applications of sequence stratigraphy. It will include also exercises and some case histories for some interpretation and workshop discussion.

This training course will feature:

• Clastic reservoir characteristics and depositional environments an introduction.
• An overview of different types of sedimentary basins.
• Clastic reservoir systems tracts, low stand delta, valley/canyon fill, basin floor fans, high stand and transgressive stands.
• An overview of clastic reservoir petrography, matrix and cement.
• Core and sidewall core analyses, sedimentary logs and integration of log data.
• An overview of the Petrophysical characteristics of sandstone reservoirs.
• The models and principles of seismic and sequence stratigraphy.
• Sequence definition from wells and seismic.
• Sequence stratigraphy in lacustrine environments.
• Unconventional clastic hydrocarbon reservoirs.
• Integration of other stratigraphic information, bio-stratigraphically, radiometric dating, chemo-stratigraphical.

Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:                                                

• Understand what are the different types of clastic hydrocarbon reservoir and the different Palaeoenvironments in which they are deposited
• Have a full understanding of sedimentary basin types and their depositional patterns
• Integrate sedimentary core, sidewall core and log data
• Recognize and interpret the petrography of the main clastic reservoir types
• Identify the main sequences on seismic
• Integrate other geological data and then identify sequences and para-sequences on well logs
• Converse with the terms and definitions used in sequence and seismic stratigraphy
• Use sequence and seismic stratigraphy towards new play definition and as an aid in play and prospect risking
• Familiarize the different types of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs and how these are exploited

Training Methodology

The program is delivered in a combination of lecture-style and computer-based training. In addition, a significant amount of time is set aside for small working group activity when addressing case study problems. Extensive use is made of case study material to underline the key aspects of the course and to give the delegates exposure to current best practice.

Who Should Attend?

This training course will be beneficial for those who are interested in understanding clastic reservoir depositional systems and how these can be interpreted in a sequence stratigraphical sense to identify predictive play trends. Its primary use will be for those involved in lead and prospect generation.

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, but will greatly benefit;

• Exploration geologists
• Development geologists
• Geophysicists
• Upstream subsurface professionals

Course Outline

Day 1: Clastic Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

• Outline and overview
• Sedimentary basins types
• The depositional environments of clastic reservoirs
• Clastic reservoir petrography
• Conventional and sidewall core descriptions
• Petrophysical characteristics of clastic reservoirs
• Interpretation and integration of log data

Day 2: Seismic Stratigraphy and Controls on Basin Sedimentary Infill

• The Exxon Model and clastic sedimentary sequences
• Principles and the geometry of depositional systems
• Types of seismic reflector terminations
• Changes in accommodation space
• Controls on basin stratigraphy
• Orders of cyclicity

Day 3: The Models and Principles

• Sequence boundary types and systems tracts
• The identification of clastic systems, lowstand deltas, valley/canyon fills, basin floor fans, highstand and transgressive systems tracts
• Other systems track types and variations on the ideal model
• Genetic stratigraphic sequences
• Sequences on seismic
• Sequence boundary recognition

Day 4: Sequence Definition from Wells and Seismic

• The use of well log data for sequence definition
• Definition of surfaces and systems tracts
• Recognition of systems tracts on seismic
• Recognition of stratal surfaces on seismic
• Seismic facies analysis
• Analysis of seismic attributes

Day 5: Applied Examples of Clastic Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

• Reservoir characterization and sequence stratigraphy in the Sirt Basin, Libya
• The Palaeozoic clastic reservoirs of Western Libya
• Clastic reservoir characterization in the Gulf of Suez
• Turbidites and basin floor fans West and South Africa
• Lacustrine clastic reservoirs in the Gulf of Thailand
• Unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs North America