COURSE OVERVIEW:

Geochemistry is the scientific study of the chemical composition of the Earth and the processes that govern the distribution of elements and isotopes within it. In the petroleum industry, geochemistry is an indispensable tool for understanding the origin, migration, and alteration of hydrocarbons. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the chemical principles that underpin the petroleum system, focusing on how organic matter is transformed into oil and gas. Participants will learn how to analyze rocks, fluids, and gases to reconstruct the history of a sedimentary basin.

The coverage of this course includes the study of source rock potential, thermal maturity, and the chemical fingerprinting of hydrocarbons. Attendees will explore the use of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis to characterize source rocks and determine their hydrocarbon-generating capacity. The curriculum also details the application of biomarkers, 'molecular fossils', to correlate oils with their parent source rocks and to interpret the environment in which the organic matter was originally deposited. This "oil-to-source" correlation is critical for mapping migration pathways and identifying new exploration fairways.

Furthermore, the course addresses the role of geochemistry in reservoir management and production. This includes understanding the chemical changes that occur during biodegradation, water washing, and thermal cracking within the reservoir. Participants will also learn about the geochemistry of formation waters and how it influences mineral precipitation and scale formation. By integrating chemical data with geological and geophysical models, geoscientists can reduce exploration risk and optimize the development of discovered fields. This course offers a balance between theoretical chemistry and practical applications in the upstream energy sector.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Define the fundamental principles of organic and inorganic geochemistry.
• Evaluate source rock potential using TOC and Rock-Eval data.
• Identify the stages of organic matter maturation (diagenesis, catagenesis, metagenesis).
• Interpret kerogen types and their associated hydrocarbon products.
• Use biomarkers for oil-to-oil and oil-to-source correlation.
• Analyze gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data.
• Determine the thermal maturity of a basin using vitrinite reflectance (Ro).
• Identify the effects of biodegradation and secondary alteration on oils.
• Explain the mechanisms of hydrocarbon migration and expulsion.
• Utilize gas isotopes to determine the origin of natural gas.
• Assess the geochemical risks in a petroleum system (e.g., H2S and CO2).
• Integrate geochemical data into basin modeling workflows.
• Apply geochemistry to solve reservoir compartmentalization issues.
• Design a geochemical sampling and analysis program for a project.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Exploration Geologists, Basin Modelers, Petrophysicists, and Petroleum Engineers who need to integrate chemical data into their subsurface workflows.

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.