GEO 155
Faults, Fractures, and Seals in Petroleum Reservoirs
COURSE OVERVIEW
Exploration, appraisal and development plans hinge on an understanding of fluid flow in the subsurface and the control imposed by geological structures. Flow of oil and gas through porous reservoir rock is controlled by the permeability of the reservoir. In the simplest case this is a single permeability system that is completely controlled by the rock properties of the reservoir.
In this course the origin of faults and fractures and their mechanical properties will be discussed in a framework of geo-mechanics.
o Fundamentals of geomechanics
o Origin & physical properties of faults
o Origin & physical properties of fractures
o Fault seal behaviour under varying stress fields
o Predictive models for fault and fracture fluid conduit behaviour.
o Compartmentalization in structurally complicated reservoirs.
COURSE SCHEDULE
| Code | Date | Location | price (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO 155 | 15 - 19 Jun 2026 | Online | 3300 |
| GEO 155 | 14 - 18 Sep 2026 | Amsterdam | 4400 |
COURSE OUTLINE
5 days
Day 1: Introduction to geomechanics and structural geometries
o General fault, fracture and structure characteristics
o General aspects of the application of structural geology and geomechanics in the E&P business
o Introduction to stress and strain
o Rock mechanics
o Geometrical analysis and the application of these subjects to geological phenomena as encountered in the oil and gas business
o Workflows for successful fault, fracture and seal analysis
Day 2: Extensional tectonics: normal faults and rifts
o Seismic interpretation, theory, examples,
o Structural geometries and fault properties that are characteristic for extensional tectonic
o Fault geometry, growth, linkage and QC of interpretations
o Analysis of fault and fracture systems
o Fractal properties of fault and fractures
o Prediction of sub-seismic faults
o Structural interpretations of normal faults
Day 3: Compressional and strike-slip tectonics: fold-and-thrust belts, inversion & strike-slip
o Compressional tectonics: fault reactivation - multi-phase tectonics
o Theory, case histories, analogue models, seismic interpretation exercise
o Structural geometries and fault properties
o The mechanics of fault reactivation (inversion tectonics)
o Strike-slip tectonics: theory, case histories, analogue models and seismic interpretation
o The 3D nature of the tectonic setting including pitfalls and traps in structural interpretation
o Structural interpretations of contractional and strike-slip systems
Day 4: Salt tectonics, subsurface Pressures, fluid properties and fault rocks
o Review of salt structures in different tectonic settings and their influence on faults, fractures and fault sealing
o The origin and effects of normal and abnormal subsurface pressure
o Exercise
o The properties of fluids and their influence on fault seal and multiphase flow
o Influence of tectonics on hydrocarbon development, exercise
o The different types of fault rocks, their microstructural and petrophysical characteristics
o Identification of faults and fractures (natural and coring induced) in cores and borehole images
Day 5: Faults and Fractures - impact on hydrocarbon entrapment and fluid flow
o Fault sealing mechanisms and approaches to evaluate seal integrity in exploration and in production scenarios
o Seal algorithms
o Fracture systems: fracture mechanics, reservoir examples and outcrop examples
o Fracture mechanics, fracture types, natural fracture systems and their influence on reservoir characteristics and production strategies
o The influence of in situ stress on fault sealing and flow through fractures
o The incorporation of fault seal and fracture systems into reservoir models
INSTRUCTOR
Instructor Profile
Instructor is a structural geologist with extensive experience in hydrocarbon exploration, appraisal, and production across basin, field, and core scales. Professional experience has included roles at BP Exploration, Badley Earth Sciences, Robertson Research, and as Senior Project Manager at Rock Deformation Research Ltd.
He has more than 30 years of industry experience has been gained, involving large and complex datasets across multiple scales. In addition, contributions have been made to training and mentoring geoscientists, including serving as Visiting Senior Lecturer at Leeds University and delivering international training courses in structural geology and fractured reservoirs.
FAQ
DESIGNED FOR
Geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers who have to work with faulted and fractured reservoirs will benefit from this short course. The topic is relevant for exploration as well for production.
COURSE LEVEL
o Intermediate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
A combination of theory, case histories and exercises will be used to familiarize the participants with the various subjects. The course incorporates case histories to demonstrate the application of the geomechanical and geometrical theory to the analysis of fields and prospects.
REGISTER
Registration is now OPEN!
Ph.D. students, group and early bird registrants are eligible to DISCOUNT!
For more details and registration please send email to: register@petro-teach.com
REQUEST IN HOUSE
Would you like a PetroTeach training course delivered at a time or location to suit you?
click for request in house