Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping

Instructors: Sia Agah, Joseph Brewton, Dan Tearpock
Course Length: 5 days
Course CEUs: 4

Course Description
This is the most demanded subsurface mapping course in the world. From the newly graduated geoscientist or engineer to the seasoned professional, the course provides the applied, hands-on knowledge required to generate sound subsurface maps. Participants of this course will receive the Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping with Structural Methods 2nd Edition textbook (2003) and a lab manual with exercises. Solutions will be provided throughout the course.

Subsurface geologic maps are the most important and widely used documents in petroleum exploration and development. Geoscientists and engineers are expected to understand and be able to efficiently and accurately generate many types of subsurface maps. Nevertheless, many geoscientists have not had sufficient formal training in the fundamental principles and methods that underlie accurately constructed subsurface maps, whether the data source is a seismic interpretation, well log correlation or both.

This course covers both fundamental and advanced methods of subsurface mapping that have been used by the most proficient exploration and development geoscientists in the industry, as well as an introduction to some of the more recent advances in interpretation. Mapping techniques, examples and exercises for extensional and compressional tectonic settings are the core of the course. Diapiric and strike-slip faulted structures are also discussed. In addition, volumetric mapping is presented as well as some of the numerous pitfalls in reservoir volume determinations using isochore maps.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the application of different hand contouring and the pitfalls of selected computer contouring methods
Capability of integrating fault data from well logs and seismic data
Generate fault surface interpretations and maps
Understand the construction and application of various types of cross sections
Generate net pay isochore maps for both bottom and edge water reservoirs

Who should attend
Geologists, geophysicists, managers, engineers, and support staff involved in exploration or development.

Course Content

Philosophical doctrine, workflow and methodology of mapping
Contouring and contouring techniques
Directionally drilled wells and directional surveys (applications to mapping)
Log correlation techniques for vertical and deviated wells (applications to mapping)
Integration of geophysical data in subsurface mapping
Cross section construction for extentional, compressional strike-slip and diapiric tectonic settings
Fault surface mapping using well log and seismic data
Structure mapping in extensional, compressional, strike-slip and diapiric tectonic settings
Isochore map construction (bottom water and edge water reservoirs)
Net sand and pay correction factors for directionally drilled wells
Structure vs porosity top mapping
Walking wells
Fault wedge mapping
Pitfalls of computer generated maps
Volumetric calculations
Isopach map construction

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