Location: Moab UT

Kate Giles: Lloyd A. Nelson Professor, University of Texas at El Paso; Consulting Geologist.

The primary technical goal is to provide a widely applicable introduction to the interrelationship between sedimentation and structural geology with a particular focus on salt tectonics and salt-sediment interaction. The geology is examined with reference to deepwater exploration themes with the Gulf of Mexico.

A 4-day field course starting and finishing in Grand Junction, Colorado, comprising a mixture of lectures, field work and exercises.

Intermediate. This course requires a basic understanding of geoscience and will suit those working in the geoscience, geotechnical and engineering fields. The aim is to facilitate knowledge and experience exchange among the participants, so is open to those from a very wide range of experience levels.

This course requires a MODERATE exertion level. There will be hikes to outcrops of up to 6.5km (4 miles) round trip. Some of these will encounter uneven and rocky ground with some short, steep inclines. The climate in southern Utah is typically warm to hot and dry with temperatures up to 37.5°C (100°F) and the elevation is between 1,250–1,500m (4,000–5,000 ft).

You will learn to:

1. Describe the regional stratigraphy and principal structural features of the Paradox Basin, Utah.
2. Characterize and interpret controls on Paradox Basin salt-related structures and key features of passive diapiric systems, including halokinetic sequences, caprock development, non-evaporite stringers / inclusions, welds, megaflaps, counter-regional faults, radial faults and burial wedges.
3. Examine stratal geometries and halokinetic sequences and how these relate to intervals of salt inflation / evacuation and sediment flux.
4. Assess the controls on basin fill architecture, fluid flow and deformation within the Paradox Basin and compare this to analogous salt basins worldwide.
5. Understand the importance of salt basins to the energy industry for hydrocarbon production.

Russell Davies: Director, Redlands Fault Geological Consulting LLC.

This field course utilizes outstanding exposures of faults, fault rocks and stratigraphy in Colorado and Utah to examine seismic and subseismic scale fault geometries, fault zone architecture and controls on cross-fault flow. The aim of the course is to improve the understanding of uncertainties in the mapping of complex fault zones and the processes that create potential seals and compartmentalization in reservoirs in the subsurface for oil and gas, as well as CO2. Field exercises complement classroom lectures on the interpretation of faults, seal assessment and associated risks. Group exercises are included as prospect interpretation of compartmentalization from outcrop exposures.

A 7-day field course with a mixture of outcrop examination and discussion (70%) and supporting classroom lectures (30%). Exercises on the outcrop are designed to apply common methodologies for fault seal analysis with observed fault zone characteristics.

Intermediate. This course is suitable for geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers engaged in the interpretation of faults and the assessment of fault seal in reservoirs for exploration, development and CO2 containment.

The field component of this course requires a MODERATE exertion level. There will be some short hikes to outcrops (no more than 3.5 miles / 5.6km round trip), some over uneven and rocky ground with some short, steep inclines no greater than 700 feet (200 meters). The climate in southern Utah during the spring and fall is variable with temperatures from 50°F (10°C) to hot and dry up to 100°F (38°C). The elevation is between 4,000 and 5,000 feet (1200 to 1500 meters).

You will learn to:

1. Describe the regional geologic framework of the field area, the main stratigraphic units and the principal structural features.
2. Characterize the mechanisms of faulting, fault propagation and the controls on the size, distribution and population of normal faults.
3. Observe deformation and faults in outcrop to constrain likely structural and fault geometries in the subsurface.
4. Characterize common trapping mechanisms and seal potential of fault rocks.
5. Examine and assess fault rock properties and evidence of fluid flow at outcrop scale to better understand subsurface flow in reservoir and fault rocks.
6. Establish trap and seal controls.
7. Perform juxtaposition analysis and fault rock distribution mapping (SGR and CSF / SSF).
8. Employ and interpret triangle diagrams.
9. Understand key simulation techniques and modelling of faults.