OG90
Course Contents
Module 1: Basin Evolution and Petroleum System Concepts
Key Topics
- Sedimentary basin classification, tectonic settings and subsidence history
- Sequence stratigraphy, depositional systems and sediment supply dynamics
- Heat flow regimes, burial history foundations and thermal regime basics
- Fundamental petroleum system elements and critical subsurface processes
- Spatial and temporal relationships: source, reservoir, seal, trap and timing
- Subsurface data types utilized in basin analysis and petroleum systems modelling
- Aligning key exploration questions addressed by definitive basin modelling
Module 2: Source Rock and Thermal Maturity Evaluation
Key Topics
- Source rock richness, kerogen typologies (I, II, III, IV) and generation potential
- Interpreting TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance ($R_o$) and maturity indicators
- Decompaction principles, burial history reconstruction and compaction trends
- Heat flow calibration, palaeo-temperature indicators and thermal conductivity inputs
- Delineating hydrocarbon generation windows (oil, wet gas, dry gas) and phase prediction
- Expulsion timing kinetics, transformation ratios ($TR$) and charge volume estimations
- Source rock risk mapping and handling geochemical uncertainty parameters
Module 3: Migration, Charge and Petroleum Accumulation
Key Topics
- Mechanics of primary migration (expulsion) and secondary migration
- Characterising carrier beds, structural faults, unconformities and migration pathways
- Physical controls on fluid movement: buoyancy forces, capillary pressure and hydrodynamic flow
- Evaluating charge access, drainage fetch areas and drainage fetch efficiency
- Thermodynamics of oil, gas and condensate phase behaviour across changing basin pressures
- Temporal analysis: timing of charge relative to structural trap and seal development
- Quantifying migration losses, carrier bed retention and total charge efficiency
Module 4: Reservoir, Seal, Trap and Play Assessment
Key Topics
- Reservoir distribution networks, petrophysical quality and depositional controls
- Seal capacity evaluation, capillary entry pressure and caprock leakage risks
- Structural, stratigraphic and combination trap styles and structural evolution
- Fault seal analysis (SGR metrics), juxtaposition, spill points and closure evaluation
- Play fairway mapping techniques and Common Risk Segment (CRS) map generation
- Integrating 2D/3D seismic, exploration well ties and geochemical evidence
- Ranking plays, leads and prospects using integrated petroleum system elements
Module 5: Basin Model Integration and Exploration Risk
Key Topics
- Advanced workflows for 1D, 2D and 3D basin modelling
- Auditing input data quality, geological assumptions and calibration data checks
- Sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo simulations and uncertainty quantification
- Model validation protocols using exploration wells, oil/gas shows and fluid chemistry data
- Designing petroleum system charts and reviewing critical event timing relationships
- Effectively communicating model results, deterministic assumptions and technical limitations
- Integrated capstone case study: hydrocarbon system evaluation and risk presentation