Structural Geology and Tectonics

The science of Geology has proven to be instrumental throughout nearly every aspect of the oil and gas industry. A number of disciplines within this science have been shown to be of importance when understanding which geologic plays and prospects may be economic. Structural Geology is one of those disciplines fundamental to the analyses performed during petroleum exploration and field development. In addition to the petroleum industry structural analysis is important in underground gas storage, CO2 sequestration and many other industries that rely on an understanding of the subsurface.

This course is designed to provide attendees with an understanding of the significant aspects of structural geology. The course is structured to take the participant from the basic fundamentals of forces and how minerals react to those forces through mega-scale structures associated with plate tectonics features. Participants will gain an understanding of different stress regimes, deformation processes, micro and meso-scale structures which formed from those processes, the expression of those structures in seismic and well bores, and the major structural regimes associated with plate tectonics. Short, in class exercises will be used to reinforce selected learning objectives.

• Agenda
• Topics
• Audience
• Prerequisites

• Agenda

  Day 1

  Fundamentals and Ductile Structures – The course will provide an introduction to structural geology at the small-scale. This will include a review of the types of forces that affect rocks, and the stresses and strains produced by these forces within the rock. The concept of “Rheology” will be reviewed as well as ductile deformation and its expression in folding and foliations. At the end of day one a basic structural geology problem will be solved during a class exercise.

  Day 2

  Brittle and Other Structures – Day two will continue a review of meso scale structures but will be focused on features produced by brittle deformation such as faulting and fracturing. Additionally veins and other structural features such as domes, unconformities, and salt tectonic features will be reviewed. Various structural features will be reviewed during the day two exercise.

  Day 3

  Structural Expression, Mapping and Modeling – During day three the expression of faults, folds and various structural attributes within the surface seismic data and within borehole logging data will be reviewed. During this portion of the course a short seismic interpretation exercise will be conducted.

  Day 4

  Tectonic Environments and Regional Tectonics – During day four and the morning of day five participants will be provided with an understanding of the fundamentals of the Earth’s structure, plate tectonics, The Wilson Cycle, as well as extensional, convergent, and strike slip regimes. A review of global tectonic terrains and Paleo-tectonics will also be provided.

  Day 5

  This day will continue the theme of Global Tectonic Terrains from Day Four, and also cover Paleo-structural Analysis – A review of the fundamentals of Basin and Petroleum System Modeling will be conducted during the afternoon.

• Topics

  Key Learning Elements

  • A foundational understanding of the forces, stresses, strains and deformations typically found in rocks.

  • A review of the various types of deformation mechanisms and resulting structures including types of faults, folds and fractures.

  • A review of the various meso-scale structures such as salt and shale diapers, domes, and unconformities.

  • An examination of the features observed on surface seismic and within wellbores that pertain to various structural features.

  • Detailed review of various tectonic terrains and mechanisms, mega-scale structures, the Wilson cycle and the concept of tectonic inheritance.

• Audience

  Geoscientists who wish to improve their detailed knowledge of Structural Geology up to skill level.

• Prerequisites

  Good knowledge of Geology. Sound understanding of structural Geology ; this is not meant to be a beginners-level course

• Prerequisites