This 4-day field trip in northwestern Sicily will provide the basics of carbonate reservoir characterisation on the field, by means of spectacular exposures, visits to quarries and seismic scale outcrops. The main aims are to describe and illustrate the peculiar geological and petrophysical control factors occurring in carbonate reservoirs. The instructor will focus on the main sedimentological characteristics of different carbonate reservoirs (pore diagenesis, facies, primary structures, palaeontology, evolution and sequence stratigraphy) coupled with the role of fracturing (vertical and horizontal). Prediction criteria in fractures orientation will be explained, with limits and constraints. The course focuses on the seismic aspects of carbonate reservoirs and the correlation with the outcrops. The role of permeability and anisotropy in fluids within the reservoir and the relationship between boreholes and fractures will be covered using natural examples. A set of outcrops of shallow water carbonates affected by meso and macro volcano-dykes and atollo-type successions will show you some of the risks and critical factors occurring in reservoirs. At the end of this course you will be able to describe carbonate reservoirs at different scales, starting with pore networks and rock textures, followed by sedimentary bodies and stratigraphic-structural macro-architectures. These outcrops provide a natural laboratory to properly learn and experiment with methods for characterising and modelling carbonate reservoirs.
Course Level: Skill / Advanced Duration: 4 days Instructor: Pietro Di Stefano
Designed for you, if you are...
A geologist or geoscientist in general with some years of experience, keen to broaden and deepen your knowledge of carbonate reservoirs (properties and control factors in modelling)
A reservoir engineer or explorationist wishing to improve your geological knowledge
The course assumes a basic knowledge in geoscience.
How we build your confidence
Clear and impressive field stops allow a visualisation of the different facies typical of carbonate reservoirs
Graphic material on site as well as correlation with seismic and well datasets will help you understand the geological control factors typical of reservoir modelling
Practical exercises on geometries, fractures and heterogeneities of the reservoir will be conducted in quarries where a multiple exposure and variable geometries of cliffs permit a 3D visualisation of critical surfaces
The benefits from attending
By the end of the course you will feel confident in your understanding of:
Geological key elements for the characterisation of carbonate reservoirs
How to analyse and assess the different control factors influencing a fractured reservoir, starting with petrophysical datasets and exporting them to the large-scale reservoir
Topics
Day 1
Introduction to the carbonate reservoirs in Sicily
Geological and petrophysical characteristics
Karst, fractures, jointing and anisotropy
Homogeneous vs. heterogeneous deposits
Correlation with well datasets
Day 2
Peritidal cycles and reef complex, characteristics, facies and geometries
From outcrop to macro architectures of carbonate reservoirs
Domino style faulted reservoirs
Unconformities and sealing
Rudistic limestone reservoirs, porosity and connectivity
Day 3
Tidal flats, effect of matrix
Sedimentary dikes, large faulting, ramp-bounded reservoirs
Stepped margin, channels, breccias and auto-brecciated reservoirs
Channels and other discontinuities
Correlation with seismic
Day 4
Large vertical barrier/discontinuity, volcanic dykes
Mixed deposits, petrophysical parameters
Slope carbonates and calcareous turbidites
Prediction criteria, risk and case study
The course fee includes daily transportation for field visits, local accommodation (5 nights) and full board on course days. For further details please contact training@hoteng.com