World-class training for the modern energy industry

Level: Fundamental

Tectonic framework for the Energy Transition: Geothermal and CCS Geological Analogs along the Western North American Continental Margin, California (G583)

Tutors

Zane Jobe: Research Professor, Colorado School of Mines and the Director of the Geology Center of Research Excellence (CoRE).

Andrea Fildani: Professor at University of Naples Federico II

Overview

This course will explore a range of outcrops in central California to study topics inherent to the energy transition. Participants will be introduced to the tectonic setting of Western North America that provides opportunities for geothermal energy production, carbon sequestration (both mineralization and pore-scale trapping) and additionally, natural hydrogen exploration. Participants will learn how to characterize the locations of potential projects and explain the key geological factors that affect these and their feasibility. 

Duration and Logistics

A 7-day field course based in Sacramento, California. Training will take place through in-class presentations, field observations, printed exercises and discussions in the field. Transport will be by coach.

Exertion Level

The field component of this course requires an EASY exertion level. There will be short hikes to outcrops mostly on flat to gently sloping terrain and gravel tracks. The climate in California during the spring and fall is variable with temperatures from 50°F (10°C) to hot and dry up to 100°F (38°C).

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is intended for a variety of professionals working in the energy transition including those responsible for policy on energy, regulators, energy sector investors and also those working on conservation.  The course would also be suitable for geoscientists interested in a broad overview of energy transition topics.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Evaluate the regional tectonic framework and evolution for prediction of energy transition opportunities.
  2. Describe regional geothermal systems and understand their relationships to tectonic evolution.
  3. Analyze ultramafic rocks that are targeted for CO2 mineralization studies and natural hydrogen exploration.
  4. Compare outcrop analogues to subsurface data for carbon sequestration in sedimentary rocks from several depositional environments.
  5. Characterize the locations of potential projects and explain the key geological factors that affect these and their feasibility.

Fundamentals of Petroleum Systems: Source, Maturation and Migration (G120)

Tutor(s)

Rene Jonk: Director, ACT-Geo Consulting and Training; Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen 

Overview

This hands-on course enables attendees to enhance their skills and critically evaluate all aspects of hydrocarbon charge, including source presence, maturation, migration, commodity type and timing. Lectures and exercises focus on characterization and prediction of hydrocarbon charge adequacy using core, well log and seismic data. Global examples, cover a range of basin and depositional settings, will be discussed and used in the exercises.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A 3-day course comprising a mix of classroom lectures and discussion (50%), and hands-on exercises with subsurface datasets (50%). The lecture materials will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises. Exercises manuals will be printed for each student to enhance learning by interpreting using pencil on paper.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This course is intended for geoscientists, reservoir engineers and petrophysicists who want to understand the basic concepts of petroleum systems.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Characterize source rock presence from cores, well logs and seismic and learn to predict source adequacy and risk from first principles.
  2. Understand the controls on source rock maturation and describe fundamental controls on maturation and maturation timing using burial history charts.
  3. Assess the fundamental controls on hydrocarbon migration and apply the principles of primary and secondary migration to predict hydrocarbon charge pathways and risk migration adequacy for plays and prospects.
  4. Assess commodity implications from source rock type and maturity.

Energy Transition and Sustainability: Economic and Policy Perspectives (G910)

Tutor(s)

Brian Matthews: Independent Consultant, Founder and Managing Director of TerraUrsa

Overview

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the economic and market opportunities of renewables in the context of European decarbonisation policies and targets.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: Two-day classroom workshop.

Virtual version: Option 1: One 3-hour interactive online session that would cover contents sections 1-4. Option 2: Two 3-hour interactive online sessions would include content sections 1-6.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The one-session course is aimed at non-technical staff and those who do not have a business background but want a basic introduction to the topic. The subject matter will be covered from very basic principles and will be of interest to staff from a range of departments.  The two-session course is aimed at middle and senior managers who can influence strategy within the company.

Objectives

You will learn to: 

  1. Understand global and European energy demand trends to 2050.
  2. Explore the economic and market opportunities of renewables.
  3. Analyse primary energy supply projections and the role of different energy sources.
  4. Examine European decarbonisation policies and targets.
  5. Evaluate case studies to assess market context, policy drivers, and commercial strategies.
  6. Develop and assess a sustainability timeline.

Structural Geology: Key Concepts for Exploration and Production (G111)

Tutor(s)

Douglas Paton: Director, TectoKnow.

Overview

The workshop will be practically based, supplemented by a number of group thought experiments. It will cover an introduction to the fundamentals of structural geology and its impact on hydrocarbon distribution and prediction. It will then outline, with examples, the essential geometric components expected in normal faults / rift basins, reverse faults / contractional environments, inversion / multi-phase settings, and salt and strike-slip influenced systems.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version. A 4-day course comprising a mix of lectures, case studies and exercises. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is aimed at new hires who need a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of structural geology.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the fundamental importance of structural geology in modelling the subsurface.
  2. Appreciate the concept of structural styles and why it is essential to aid the interpretation of subsurface and outcrop data.
  3. Assess input data required for resource modelling and appreciate its limitations.
  4. Apply relevant and appropriate models to areas of limited data or zones of complexity and capture the implications of the inherent uncertainty.
  5. Apply relevant techniques and understanding to enhance resource prediction in extensional, compressional and multi-phase settings, including salt.
  6. Appreciate the importance of developing a structural robust understanding for any energy transition resource model.

Natural Hydrogen, Pau, France (G582)

Tutor(s)

Eric Gaucher: CEO, Lavoisier H2 Geoconsult and RockyH2.

Jean Gaucher: Development Officer, Lavoisier H2 Geoconsult.

Overview

The last few years has seen a growing interest in natural hydrogen accumulations. We know that there are a variety of processes that can lead to hydrogen being produced in the Earth’s crust but there is much still to understand about these, how much is perhaps present in subsurface stores and where these accumulations are. Commercial exploitation will also need to assess the engineering challenges for extracting this hydrogen and ultimately how best it can be utilised as part of the changing face of our modern energy landscape. This course will give an integrated view on the economic, strategic and scientific aspects of natural hydrogen exploration and its perspectives.

Duration and Logistics

Virtual version: Four 3.5-hour online sessions presented over four days comprising a mix of lectures, exercises, case studies and discussion. The course manual will be provided in digital format.

Fieldtrip version: A 5-day field course located in Pau, France with a focus on the geological aspects of natural hydrogen.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is largely aimed at geologists interested in natural hydrogen occurrences but the trainers able to adapt the level of the course to the requirements of the attendees.

Exertion Level

This class requires and EASY exertion level. Travel is by small coach and there are hikes of less than 10 minutes in duration (less than 1 km) on well-graded terrain in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Evaluate the different types of hydrogen and the origins of natural hydrogen.
  2. Characterise the strategies for the exploration of natural hydrogen.
  3. Clarify and organize the different technical steps of a natural hydrogen exploration programme.
  4. Appraise the geological, geochemical and geophysical tools that can be used for natural hydrogen exploration.
  5. Assess the co-production of natural hydrogen with geothermal resources, Helium and the mining industry.
  6. Assess the techno-economic evaluation of natural hydrogen.

Introduction to Log Analysis and Petrophysical Characterization (G104)

Tutor(s)

Joe Landry: President, Petrophysical Solutions Inc.

Overview

This course will review basic interpretation techniques from conventional logs with a focus on key reservoir properties.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A three-day classroom course comprising a mixture of lectures and exercises. The course manual will be provided in digital format.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This course is designed for those without any experience or familiarity with logs.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Introduction and review of key rock properties and terminology used.
  2. Understand the wellbore environment and how this can affect the data acquired.
  3. Review data types and acquisition technologies.
  4. Understand log types and evaluate appropriate display scales.
  5. Evaluate and QC log data.
  6. Review the Archie equation and how it is used to determine water saturation.
  7. Understand the limitations and pitfalls of the described interpretation techniques particularly with respect to deepwater reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Carbonate Depositional Systems: Reservoir Sedimentology and Diagenesis (G105)

Tutor(s)

Paul Wright: Independent Consultant.

Overview

This course is aimed at those with little or no previous experience with carbonate rocks as reservoirs or aquifers. A broad introduction to carbonate systems is presented, with multiple case examples interspersed throughout the course, in order to illustrate the different types of carbonate deposition, stratigraphy and diagenesis. Besides reviewing the essential components and origins of such rocks, it also illustrates how key characteristics are identified from seismic data and the issues relating to flow behaviour. Participants will attain a broad understanding of carbonate rocks – their components, depositional models and diagenetic variation – to better assist in the prediction of carbonate reservoirs from seismic to pore scale.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom: A 4.5-day in-person classroom course. Digital course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Virtual version: Nine 3.5-hour interactive online sessions. Digital course notes and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is intended for geoscientists (geologists and geophysicists) and petroleum engineers with little or no experience of carbonate reservoirs.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand and describe the principal carbonate sediment components and systems of carbonate classification.
  2. Describe the primary controls on carbonate deposition temporally and spatially, and discuss the contrasts between the controls on siliciclastic deposition.
  3. Describe the main types of carbonate platform, their variability, scale, main seismic features and distribution of likely reservoir units.
  4. Demonstrate sequence stratigraphic aspects of carbonate build-ups, their differing response to SL change compared to clastic sediments and discuss their seismic characters.
  5. Review principal types of likely reservoir facies (platform interior, carbonate sands, reefs, slope systems and chalks), their recognition, architecture, sequence stratigraphy and porosity types.
  6. Identify the diverse pore types in carbonates and how these relate to reservoir quality.
  7. Understand how the development of primary and secondary porosity has varied through geological time and how these changes impact reservoir quality.
  8. Explain how the variety of diagenetic environments affects primary and secondary porosity in carbonate rocks and understand the implications for reservoir quality.
  9. Understand the uses of the main techniques for deciphering diagenetic sequences in carbonates.
  10. Discuss the principal modes of formation of dolomites and the predictive uses of different dolomite models.
  11. Understand the diverse origins of palaeokarstic macroporosity, its subsurface recognition, and different strategies for developing palaeokarstic systems for geothermal energy and hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Geothermal Sedimentary Systems: Exploration, Development and Production Principles (G574)

Tutor(s)

Mark Ireland: Senior Lecturer in Energy Geoscience, Newcastle University.

Overview

This course covers all aspects of various sedimentary geothermal systems, from exploration through to production. It is intended as an introduction to the entire lifecycle of sedimentary geothermal resources, covering aspects of geoscience and engineering.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: A two-day classroom course comprising a mixture of lectures and exercises. The course manual will be provided in digital format.

Virtual version: Four 3.5-hour interactive online sessions presented over 4 days. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. The course is intended for all career stage industry professionals and early career researchers with a geoscience or geo-engineering background, including those with a familiarity in oil and gas production.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the basic principles of heat generation within the upper crust.
  2. Describe the key characteristics of sedimentary geothermal resources and reservoirs.
  3. Examine the geothermal play concept.
  4. Establish exploration methods using oil and gas data to assess geothermal resources in sedimentary basins.
  5. Illustrate the development and production options for these geothermal resources.
  6. Appreciate the principle geological hazards, in relation to geothermal projects, including induced seismicity.
  7. Appreciate the range of environmental impacts associated with geothermal developments.
  8. Appreciate project risks and uncertainties in developing geothermal resources.

Integration of Rocks and Petrophysical Logs (G059)

Tutor(s)

Greg Samways: Director, Geolumina.

Overview

This course will focus on a simple petrophysical workflow entailing the determination of rock properties from conventional logs and core analysis data. Lithology, porosity, permeability and saturations will be determined using a variety of different analytical and simple modelling methods. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the importance of calibration, integration, and validation of the results of each method, based on a fundamental understanding of the geological controls on petrophysical properties.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 3-days with a mix of lectures and exercises. The manual will be provided in digital format and participants will be required to bring a laptop or tablet computer to follow the lectures and exercises.

Virtual version: Five, 3.5-hour interactive online sessions presented over 5 days. The course will focus on problem-solving using real-world data and use a series of Excel workbooks. A digital manual and exercise materials will be distributed to participants before the course.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This course is intended for non-petrophysicists who require a grounding in the petrophysical determination of lithology, porosity and saturation from conventional and special core analysis, and conventional open-hole logs.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Understand the fundamental geological controls on reservoir properties.
  2. Describe how these properties are measured in the laboratory using conventional and special core analysis methods.
  3. Characterize the ways in which lithology and porosity are determined from well logs and calibrated with core analysis, and how permeability may be estimated in the subsurface away from core control.
  4. Evaluate how the Archie equation is used to determine saturation in cores and from well logs, and the uncertainties and limitations with this method
  5. Investigate how saturation-height models can be created from special core analysis data, thereby avoiding some of the limitations of the Archie method.
  6. Interpret typical conventional log and core analysis data using Excel spreadsheets.
  7. Experiment with the sensitivities of input parameters for various determinations, such as V-Shale, porosity and saturation.

Essential Data Science for Subsurface Geoscientists and Engineers (G065)

Tutor(s)

David Psaila: Director of Data Science for the Digital Subsurface, Analytic Signal Limited.

Overview

Interest in data science and machine learning is rapidly expanding, offering the promise of increased efficiency in E&P, and holding the potential to analyse and extract value from vast amounts of under-utilised legacy data. Combined with petroleum geoscience and engineering domain knowledge, the key elements underlying the successful application of the technology are: data, code, and algorithms. This course builds on public datasets, code examples written in Python, statistical graphics, and algorithms from popular data science packages to provide a practical introduction to the subject and its application in the E&P domain.

Duration and Logistics

Classroom version: 5 days consisting of lectures and computer-based exercises and practicals.

Virtual version: Ten, 3-hour online sessions presented over 5 days. The course is at an introductory level and all subject matter will be taught from scratch. No prior experience of statistics, Python coding or machine learning is required, although some basic college level knowledge of maths and statistics is useful. Hands-on computer workshops form a significant part of this course, and participants must come equipped with a laptop computer running Windows (8, 10, 11) or MacOS (10.10 or above) with sufficient free storage (4 Gb). Detailed installation instructions are provided in advance so that participants can set up their computer with the data science toolkit and course materials before the course starts.

Level and Audience

Fundamental. This is an introductory course for reservoir geologists, reservoir geophysicists, reservoir engineers, data management, and technical staff who want to learn the key concepts of data science.

Objectives

You will learn to:

  1. Analyse project data using the data science toolkit; notebooks, visualization, and communication.
  2. Perform data import and manipulation, data visualization, exploratory data analysis, and building predictive models from data.
  3. Have a working knowledge of coding in Python.
  4. Coordinate reference systems including geographic and projected coordinate systems.
  5. Use the fundamentals of machine learning including background concepts, the different types of machine learning, and the basic workflow to build and evaluate models from data.