Seismic Stratigraphy Workshop

Course Details

This course is geared towards explorationists who are involved in screening seismic data for possible leads that they develop into prospects. This is a hands-on course (workshop format) where participants will spend most of their time performing seismic sequence and facies analysis on lines provided by the instructor. The teaching collection of seismic data are text-book examples collected from basins across the globe. The course not only covers the practice of sequence stratigraphy using seismic data (AAPG Memoir 26), but spends quite a bit of time on seismic facies analysis in cross-sectional view. The course also covers clinoform trajectory analysis that allows the interpreter to predict whether the clinoforms on their seismic data will be sand-rich or if the sand has by-passed the shelf and been deposited in the basin as deepwater fans. Through lots of exercises by the end of the course everyone should be proficient at sequence analysis on seismic lines and be able to interpret depositional environments and net:gross using seismic facies analysis. Participants are strongly urged to bring paper copies of their own seismic data to work on, these data will not be shared with anyone and will only be reviewed by the instructor. Unlike other course providers we believe 5-days are too short for participants to master both sequence and seismic stratigraphy, which is why we split these topics into two courses. If you are interested in learning more about sequence stratigraphy

Who Should Attend

Geologists and Geophysicists that spend most of their time interpreting seismic data on the workstation. Whether you are an early career geoscientist wanting to learn a systematic methodology for seismic interpretation or an experienced professional wanting to learn some of the latest techniques to have emerged in seismic stratigraphy, this is the course for you.

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    Course Outline

    Day 1

    I.Introduction to seismic stratigraphy and how the science has evolved since the first-models put forth by the Exxon Research Labs, concepts of seismic impedance, resolution and detection, importance of using a scale during interpretation, checking data for processing errors and pitfalls.

    II. Review of Sequence Stratigraphy in shallow and deepwater siliciclastic systems

    Seismic stratal slices

    Day 2

    I. Seismic sequence analysis: recognition and meaning of reflection terminations such as onlap, offlap, toplap etc. Seismic facies analysis and how reflection configurations can be used to interpret environments of deposition, risk of reservoir presence and quality, and net:gross.

    II. Seismic Facies Analysis: external geometry, internal reflection configuration, variability in amplitude, interpretation of reflection continuity.

    III.Exercises on performing sequence analysis on high quality seismic data from passive (trailing-edge) continental margins.

    Day 3

    I. Seismic Geomorphology: Differences between seismic time slices, horizon and stratal slices, the workflow for interpretation, range of seismic attributes (spectral decomposition, curvature, etc), fluvial systems, shallow marine systems, deepwater systems, carbonates, mixed structural-stratigraphic trapping styles in channelized sandstone bodies.

    II. Exercise on performing seismic sequence and facies analysis on instructor’s collection.

    Seismic Geomorpholog

    Day 4

    I.Seismic Imaging of Carbonate Platforms: biostromes vs bioherms, mounds vs reefs, atolls, build-ups, banks and platforms, identification of rimmed attached shelves, isolated platforms and ramps in seismic data, assigning Net:Gross values to different parts of carbonate platforms in seismic, effects of karstification and its seismic expression.

    II. Integrating seismic interpretation with biostratigraphy: index fossils including planktonic and benthic foraminifera, calcareous nannoplankton, dinoflagellates, spores and pollen, the concept of ecostratigraphy, finger-printing and biosteering.

    Seismic Expression of Carbonate Platforms

    Day 5

    I. Morphology and differences between siliciclastic and calciclastic clinoforms, advection vs diffusion dominated clinoforms, measuring angle and height of clinoform, clinoform trajectory analysis: Bruhn’s Law, clinoform morphology, shelf vs shelf margin-clinoforms, siliciclastic vs carbonate clinoforms.

    II. Workshop on participant data

    Carbonate Seismology Seismic

    A public version of this course is scheduled in Indonesia between November 1-5, 2021. THIS COURSE CANNOT BE TAUGHT VIRTUALLY ONLINE.

    Our location

    Our headquarters are twenty minutes away from downtown Denver and half an hour from the largest core facility in the United States. Or field office in Ouray allows us quick access to world-class outcrops in Utah and New Mexico.

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