This field course and workshop examines all the elements of the Petroleum Systems of the Atlantic margin, superbly exposed in Morocco. Data from new field locations being actively researched are integrated with subsurface data and a regional overview of plays along the margin. It is designed to develop an in-depth knowledge of the systems and key play elements to aid exploration along this emerging province.
This field course examines the evolution of the North Atlantic Petroleum System that is actively being explored along the West African and Eastern Canada margin. The complete Atlantic margin sequence is exposed in Morocco, from basement, overlying Palaeozoic section, all effected by the major Hercynian orogeny. Permian through to Triassic post orogenic collapse and continental rift deposits. The extensive Central Atlantic Margin Province (CAMP) basalts that were followed by development of oceanic crust in the Atlantic, and the shift to a passive margin. An entire Jurassic mixed clastic and extensive carbonate interval is exposed, with the key reefal development that is a target offshore. These are overlain by Early Cretaceous clastics, the shallow water and continental equivalents of the offshore deepwater plays being targeted along the margin.
The course examines the structural evolution of the basin, from early extensional through to wrench and compressional related tectonics and salt dynamics that play a crucial role offshore. Depositional systems are examined with a view to characterise reservoir, seal and source development.
The course will present an integrated analysis of the petroleum systems, with new published data from recent fieldwork. This is combined with published subsurface data to develop play concepts in the offshore and onshore basins.
Highlights- Triassic rift basins of the High Atlas. Structural development and sedimentology
- Reservoir modelling of continental clastics: case study of integrated digital outcrop models
- 3D exposure of Triassic mixed fluvio-aeolian system, Argana Basin
- CAMP basalt and transition from rift to passive margin
- Jurassic reefal development, facies and faunal distribution and controls on reservoir development
- Early Cretaceous sequence stratigraphy and facies
- Regional tectonics and salt control
- Cenomanian-Turonian source rocks
- In depth discussion of plays, what works, what hasn’t yet… but could
The course has been run successfully for a number of oil companies and provides unrivalled access to world-class exposures in North Africa’s most accessible country. Integration with subsurface data puts the outcrops into context and short exercises embed knowledge. Short group exercises and discussions in the field are designed to develop a deeper understanding of the systems.
Expert LeadershipThe course is led by Prof. Jonathan Redfern, who is Director of the North Africa Research Group (www.narg.org.uk). It is offered in collaboration with leading researchers working in the region, who are undertaking ground-breaking field based analysis, with extensive studies across North Africa. This group has published a number of key papers on the region with new research currently in preparation for publication.
Course Level: Skill / Advanced
Duration: 6 days
Instructor: Jonathan Redfern