COURSE OVERVIEW:

Facies analysis is the fundamental discipline that allows geoscientists to interpret the environment of deposition from physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of sedimentary rocks. This course provides a structured approach to describing and grouping sedimentary features into facies associations, which ultimately define broader depositional systems. By focusing on the link between sediment transport processes and the resulting strata, participants will learn to reconstruct ancient landscapes, whether they be river systems, deltas, or deep-marine fans. The course bridges the gap between small-scale observations in core or outcrop and large-scale reservoir architecture.

The scope of this training encompasses the description of primary sedimentary structures, grain size trends, and ichnological (trace fossil) assemblages. Coverage includes the major depositional environments, including continental, transitional, and marine settings. Participants will learn how to apply Walther’s Law to interpret vertical successions and how to utilize sequence stratigraphic principles to predict facies distributions in three dimensions. The curriculum is designed to move systematically from the "building blocks” individual facies—to the complex "architecture" of depositional systems, providing a robust framework for reservoir prediction.

In the context of the energy industry, facies analysis is vital for predicting reservoir quality and connectivity. This course emphasizes the practical application of these techniques to subsurface data, particularly the integration of core descriptions with wireline log patterns. By understanding the processes that govern sediment distribution, geoscientists can build more accurate geological models that honor the underlying physics of deposition. This ensures that exploration and development strategies are based on a sound understanding of the heterogeneities that influence fluid flow within a reservoir.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Define the concept of a facies and a facies association.
• Identify primary sedimentary structures and their hydrodynamic significance.
• Recognize common trace fossil assemblages and their environmental implications.
• Interpret vertical grain size trends in terms of energy levels and deposition.
• Apply Walther’s Law to interpret sedimentary successions.
• Differentiate between fluvial, deltaic, and shallow marine depositional systems.
• Describe the characteristics of carbonate facies versus siliciclastic facies.
• Utilize core data to calibrate wireline log facies interpretations.
• Predict reservoir geometry based on depositional system models.
• Analyze the impact of sea-level change on facies migration.
• Construct facies maps and gross depositional environment (GDE) maps.
• Evaluate the connectivity of reservoir units using facies architecture.
• Integrate ichnology with sedimentology for high-resolution interpretation.
• Interpret deep-water gravity flow deposits and fan systems.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Geologists, Petrophysicists, and Reservoir Engineers who need to understand sedimentary architecture for exploration and reservoir characterization.

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.