Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration and Development

Introduction

Biostratigraphy is often run as a service in petroleum exploration & development for age and palaeoenvironmental interpretation. It can also provide critical insight of the data generated for detailed sequence analysis including unconformities and sedimentation breaks in addition to the identification of flooding surfaces and condensed sequences. It can also be used to characterize facies (reservoir and non-reservoir). The integration of biostratigraphical data with seismic interpretation and sedimentological and petrographical data utilizes biostratigraphy’s potential most efficiently. This Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development training course set out to illustrate this best use. The pitfalls of the use of biostratigraphical data will be discussed, which often relates to the geological context in which sediments were deposited. The main fossil groups used in biostratigraphy, their temporal and spatial distribution and the contexts in which they occur will be illustrated with numerous examples. This training course will introduce the applied use of biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy in both an exploration and development context with real examples.

This training course will include:

• An introduction to the different microfossil groups
• A discussion on the laws of stratigraphy and how biostratigraphy can be used to determine a chronostratigraphic
• Which microfossil groups to use for each age of sediments and how they are used as palaeoenvironmental indicators
• What pitfalls to look for and how these can lead to a better geological understanding
• How to use biostratigraphy and biofacies to identify key seismic markers
• How to integrate biostratigraphical data with other geological data (sedimentological, petrographical, geochemical) to maximize its use
• How to use integrated biostratigraphical data to build a high-resolution sequence stratigraphy
• How biostratigraphy can be used in play definition and for play-based exploration

Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• To gain knowledge of the different microfossil groups and in which ages and palaeoenvironments they can be utilized
• To explore the concepts and applications of chrono-, litho-, biostratigraphy and geochronology.
• To develop an understanding of how biostratigraphical data can be integrated with other geological data to optimize its use as an interpretative tool
• To interpret palaeoenvironment of deposition by using biostratigraphical assemblages
• To use biostratigraphy as a predictive tool in exploration and development

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Exploration Geologists
• Development Geologists
• Seismic Interpreters
• Sedimentologists
• Petrography’s
• Upstream subsurface professionals who are interested in optimally utilizing geological data as a predictive tool in sedimentary basins and for identifying hydrocarbon plays in active petroleum systems

Course Outline

Day 1: Stratigraphy and an Introduction to Micropaleontology

• The Laws of Stratigraphy
• Age dating methods for sediments and igneous rocks
• The stratigraphical column and Chronostratigraphic
• The different microfossil groups and preparation techniques
• Organic microfossils (palynomorphs) including Acritarchs, Chitinozoans, Dinoflagellates, Pollen and Spores
• Inorganic microfossils including micro foraminifera and Ostracoda

Day 2: Biostratigraphy

• Microfossil evolution through the stratigraphical Column
• Building stratigraphical range charts
• First downhole occurrence, last downhole occurrence, fossil assemblages
• Numerical methods, abundance increases, and maxima
• Index fossils
• Stratigraphical type sections and the relation between Biostratigraphy and Chronostratigraphy

Day 3: Biostratigraphical correlations and correlation techniques     

• Pitfalls using biostratigraphical data, downhole caving, reworking, contamination
• Definition of biozones
• Integration of sedimentological and petrographical data
• The integration of geochemical information
• Identification of unconformities/hiatus in the sequences

Day 4: Biostratigraphy, paleoenvironments and Sequence Stratigraphy

• Using Micropalaeontology for palaeoenvironmental interpretation
• Marine microfossils vs. non-marine microfossils
• Preservation of microfossil groups and different lithologies
• Definition of water depth from the different fossil groups
• The identification of sequence boundaries using biostratigraphical Data
• Using biostratigraphical data to identify condensed sequences and maximum flooding surfaces
• Using biostratigraphical data to identify low stand System and high stand system tracts

Day 5: Play definition using Play Based Exploration techniques

• Hydrocarbon Play definition
• Integrated biostratigraphy and its use in Play-based exploration techniques
• The deltaic to marine Cretaceous Alagamar Play in Potiguar Basin, Equatorial Marginal of Brazil
• The Cenozoic deep-water turbidites and associated salt play, Lower Congo Basin, Angola
• The Early Silurian Hot shales of the Arabian plate, source rock characterization