COURSE OVERVIEW:

Basics of Petroleum Geology provides a comprehensive introduction to the scientific principles governing the origin, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons within the Earth's crust. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for those new to the industry, explaining how organic matter is transformed over millions of years into oil and natural gas. By understanding the dynamic processes of the sedimentary record, participants gain insight into why hydrocarbons are found in specific geographical locations and geological settings.

The scope of this training encompasses the "Petroleum System" concept, which integrates the five essential elements: source rock, reservoir rock, seal rock, trap, and timing. Participants will explore the different types of sedimentary basins and the depositional environments that lead to the formation of high-quality reservoirs, such as deltaic sands and carbonate reefs. The course also introduces the fundamental tools used by geologists, including well logs, seismic sections, and core samples, to visualize the subsurface and identify potential drilling targets.

Furthermore, the course addresses the practical aspects of exploration and production, from the initial play identification to the eventual abandonment of a field. Participants will learn about the different types of traps—structural, stratigraphic, and a combination of both—and how geologists assess the risk associated with each. This introductory journey ensures that attendees develop a holistic perspective of the upstream sector, enabling them to communicate effectively with multi-disciplinary teams and understand the geological risks inherent in energy projects.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Explain the biological and chemical processes that lead to the formation of hydrocarbons.
• Identify the five essential elements of a functioning petroleum system.
• Differentiate between clastic and carbonate reservoir rocks and their properties.
• Describe the various types of sedimentary basins and their tectonic origins.
• Understand the concept of thermal maturity and the "oil window."
• Identify common structural traps such as anticlines and fault-bounded blocks.
• Recognize stratigraphic traps, including pinch-outs and unconformities.
• Explain the role of cap rocks and top seals in hydrocarbon preservation.
• Interpret basic geological maps and cross-sections used in the industry.
• Understand the importance of porosity and permeability in reservoir quality.
• Describe the techniques used to acquire geological data from the subsurface.
• Distinguish between conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources.
• Appreciate the timing and migration pathways necessary for trap charging.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

New Hires, Junior Geoscientists, Non-Technical Professionals, and Engineers seeking a foundational understanding of petroleum geology.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.