Sequence Stratigraphy: Principles and Applications

Daily Title: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY

• o Topic 1: Stratal stacking patterns
• o Topic 2: Shoreline trajectories
• o Topic 3: Historical developments
• o Topic 4: Workflow of sequence stratigraphic analysis

Discussion of stratal stacking patterns, which are key to the definition of all units and surfaces of sequence stratigraphy. Shoreline trajectories: forced regressions, normal regressions, transgressions. Exercise: Observation of stratal stacking patterns on 2D seismic data.

 Daily Title: SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC SURFACES

• o Topic 1: Types of stratal terminations
• o Topic 2: Sequence stratigraphic surfaces
• o Topic 3; Other types of stratigraphic contacts

Definition of all sequence stratigraphic surfaces: subaerial unconformity, correlative conformity, basal surface of forced regression, regressive surface of marine erosion, maximum regressive surface, maximum flooding surface, transgressive surface of erosion. Distinction between sequence stratigraphic surfaces and other types of stratigraphic contacts. Exercise: Identification of sequence stratigraphic surfaces on a well-log cross-section.

Daily Title: SYSTEMS TRACTS

• o Topic 1: Systems tracts in downstream-controlled settings
• o Topic 2: Systems tracts in upstream-controlled settings
• o Topic 3: Economic potential of all types of systems tract

Distinction between downstream-controlled setting (conventional sequence stratigraphy) and upstream-controlled settings which are beyond the influence of relative sea-level changes. Definition and examples of all types of systems tracts. Exercise: Identification of systems tracts on 2D seismic data and well-log cross-sections.

Daily Title: SEQUENCE MODELS

• o Topic 1: Depositional sequences
• o Topic 2: Genetic stratigraphic sequences
• o Topic 3: Transgressive-regressive sequences
• o Topic 4: Parasequences

The points of agreement and difference between the various sequence stratigraphic approaches (models) are discussed, and guidelines are provided for a standard process-based workflow of sequence stratigraphic analysis. This enables the practitioner to eliminate nomenclatural or methodological confusions, and apply sequence stratigraphy effectively for facies predictions in exploration and production. Examples of sequences in all depositional settings.

Daily Title: SCALE IN SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY

• o Topic 1: The importance of scale: exploration vs. production development
• o Topic 2: Sequence stratigraphic hierarchy
• o Topic 3: Moving forward to a standard application of sequence stratigraphy

Discussion of scale, selected by the practitioner and/or imposed by data resolution, as key issue which determines the practical applications of sequence stratigraphy (e.g., petroleum exploration vs. petroleum production development). Latest developments in the definition of sequence hierarchy systems; definition of hierarchical orders. Exercises: Observation of sequence stratigraphic units and bounding surfaces at different scales.