STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY MUST KNOWS

This course includes 2 days (or 4 half days) of classroom course and 2 days of field trip. The classroom and field trip part can be run independently one from another. The course has been designed in Oman originally. It can be adapted to other part of the world based on outcrop availability.

At the end of this class, the participants will have gained a sound understanding on how rock deform throughout the geological history, how rock properties influence the geometry of faults in the sub-surface and how the faults can be simplified with the appropriate audit trail in the maps and 3D static and dynamic models. 

Examples of exploration and production scale case studies will be used throughout the course to ensure a business context to the learnings. 

The course will help the participant to create robust and appropriate map and 3D model linked to the maturity of their project and their business objectives.

The objective of the course is to cover the structural geology concepts that all geoscientists need to know in order to build or validate static models and carry out fault interpretation. These concepts have been identified as the “Structural Geology Must Know’s” by the lecturer over his 30-year career in the oil industry. These are what he has been using in reviews, peer assists, coaching and training sessions with geologists and geophysicists primarily, but with other disciplines too.

The course covers fundamental understanding or rock failure, fault growth, fault geometries, structural styles and how these fundamental concepts can be used for production and exploration projects alike (and all sub-surface projects in general).

On completion of this course participants will

• Understand basic mechanical concepts and tools such as the Mohr circle and its application to define mechanical stratigraphy, explain fault geometries and assess risk of fault reactivation.
• Understand the type and style of deformation (e.g. faults, fractures) developed in various lithologies.
• Understand fault geometry, typology and organization in map views and cross sections. 
• Understand structural styles, their application in seismic interpretation and map elaboration. 
• Understand fault growth, the relation between fault geometries and mechanical stratigraphy as well as their implication on fault seal study.
• Be able to QC fault interpretation and identify major inconsistencies.
• Have an awareness of some of the tools available to support all of the above.
• Be able to link field scale observations to regional phases of deformation to support fault interpretation and fracture modelling alike.
   

The course is based on numerous exercises in order to maximize the learning value, combined with short lectures. The participants are split in small groups in the class room to favour continuous active participation. 

The course is organized in such a way that the key lessons learned from the previous parts are progressively used in the following sections of the class. 

In the ideal case of a field trip following the class-room session, all the concepts are used and reiterated in the field, and new case studies are also shared. The participants are organized in small syndicates based on their background, in order to maximize learning opportunities. 

The field trip class ends with an active recap session by the participants to reflect upon what they have learned during the course and what they will incorporate in their way of working, back to the office.

No specific requirement for the class room part of the course that can take place in any meeting room with validated HSE characteristics, in your company premises or elsewhere. The course can also be run virtually but the practicality needs to be discussed in details.

For the field trip, a specific HSE document, journey management would be developed according to your company requirements and policies. In Oman, the company Shuram is used and has been running field trips for Petroleum Development Oman and international oil companies for decades with a high standard HSE track record.

Four day is the ideal time the class room and field trip, excluding travel time. The length and content of the course could be modified based on specific needs.

• Course introduction. Why are we here today?
• Structural geology foundation concepts recap 
• Understand how rock break and the impact on fault geometry (Mohr circle introduction, stress and strain exercises)
• The pole of the Mohr circle introduction and exercises (A tool to assess the likelihood of fault reactivation)
• Structural evolution lecture and exercises (Use detailed observations on cross-sections to unravel faulting history) 

• Recap of day 1
• Fault geometries, fault growth, fault segmentation lecture and exercises
• Fault QA-QC, fault resolution lecture and exercises
• Fundamentals of strike-slip deformation (lecture and exercises)
• Structural style and fault kinematics interpretation exercise based on map views
• Field trip introduction

• Faults in map view and cross-section – Large scale
• Fault seal potential in limestones
• Damage zones around faults
• Fault geometries – fault growth, fault segmentation
• Impact for seismic interpretation and static model building
• Link to drilling and dynamic simulation

• Fault mapping at smaller scale (production scale)
• Link smaller scale observations to larger scale regional evolution and vice versa.
• Impact of fault geometry on fault seal potential
• Fault geometries – fault growth, fault segmentation
• Impact for seismic interpretation and static model building
• Link to drilling and dynamic simulation
• Recap of the entire course in small syndicates