Trap & Fault-Seal Analysis, Modeling for Oil & Gas and CO2

Description

Trap and Seal analysis is an essential element of the evaluation of oil and gas prospects. Several comprehensive look-back studies have concluded that the absence of Trap and/or Seal are the main causes for exploration wells to be dry. Furthermore, in the large majority of prospect evaluations, the Trap Volume uncertainty is the main factor controlling the total uncertainty range of probabilistically calculated oil and gas volumes of exploration prospects.

Doing a good job in identifying valid potential subsurface traps requires creativity and resourcefulness, plus an excellent understanding of what may constitute a trap, what may cause a trap to leak and where potential spill- and leak-points may be. Otherwise, it is not possible to make meaningful predictions of the most likely column length and its uncertainty in undrilled exploration prospects, and therefore also not of the HC volumes that may be present. In mature basins and in basins with sub-optimal seismic data quality, where the more obvious traps have already been drilled, the search may be for alternative traps such as stratigraphic, deeper and/or basement traps.

Trap and seal analyses are discussed in this course from a pragmatic explorer’s point of view, based on the extensive experience of the instructor and on published case histories. Top seal and fault seal will both be addressed. The theoretical aspects of sealing that have been developed over the years will be explained, and case histories from different basin settings will be presented.

For subsurface CO2 storage, trap and seal analysis is equally important as it is not only essential to know how much pore space is available, but also what the risks are for leakage of CO2 and for induced fault reactivation and earthquakes. The geomechanical aspects of containment of CO2 will be presented via an online module by industry expert Guest Trainer.

Participants will be provided with the opportunity to use the Ariane software package (ArianeLogiX) to investigate the effect of different seal qualities of top and fault seal on trapped column lengths and the oil and gas mix. For the module on “Modelling of top and lateral seals”, participants are required to bring their laptops and will be assigned to work in pairs.

The main objective of this course is to provide practical advice and clear guidelines on trap and seal analysis that will help explorers in their day-to-day work.

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TRAINING OBJECTIVES

In this 5 full-day course, the main aspects that need to be considered for trap and seal analysis will be discussed, including:

Examples of traps and sealing efficiency from around the world will be given throughout the various modules.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is designed as an advanced module of the Prospect Maturation course by the same instructor, but can also be seen as a stand-alone course where the relevant key messages of the Prospect Maturation course will be briefly summarised at the start of the course. The course is designed for explorers with at least several years of experience in exploration; both geologists and seismic interpreters, and their supervisors / team leaders.

COURSE LEVEL

TRAINING METHODS

At the end of the course, the participants will understand the critical elements of hydrocarbon traps and how they affect the trap risk and volume of trapped hydrocarbons. This should enable the participants to focus on realistic traps and in technically sound and realistic pre-drill estimates of prospect volumes. It should also result in a more focussed search for alternative trap types (deeper, stratigraphic and unusual) in mature basins. Each topic is introduced by a lecture, and learning is re-inforced by practical exercises, including hands-on use of specialist software for seal analysis, and discussions. Hand-out material in paper and / or electronic format will be provided.

TRAINER

Your expert course leader has a PhD in Geology from the University of Utrecht. He worked for 31 years (1979 –2010) with Shell as an exploration geologist in a variety of functions across the globe. As Principle Technical Expert, he was responsible for ensuring that Risk & Volume assessments were carried out consistently and correctly in all of Shell’s exploration units.

In this capacity, he led and participated in countless prospect review sessions and developed and conducted a successful in-house course on Risks & Volume assessment. As manager of the Exploration Excellence Team, he performed in depth analysis of basins and plays and provided advice on exploration opportunities to senior management. Together with his team, he visited most of Shell’s exploration offices, working hands-on with Shell’s local exploration teams to generate new play and prospect ideas and to suggest evaluation techniques and technologies to apply.

In 2010, he was appointed as extraordinary professor Regional and Petroleum Geology at the VU university of Amsterdam and in 2012 also at the University of Utrecht. He was visiting professor at the University of Malaya (Malaysia).

Through his own consultancy, as of 2010, he provides advice on exploration activities to several companies and is regularly invited to carry out technical reviews. Activities cover all continents and include Portfolio Reviews, Prospect assessment, Play-based Exploration, and Geothermal activities.

He conducts courses on several topics including Risk & Volume Assessment, Prospect Maturation, Basin Analysis, Play-based Exploration, Trap & Seal Analysis, Petroleum Geology for Non-geologists.

Some of his recent publications include:

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POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL)

To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized “One to One” coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster.
Request for further information post training support and fees applicable