COURSE OVERVIEW:

Regional Geology of the Arabian Plate and the UAE provides a specialized technical investigation into the geological evolution of the United Arab Emirates within the broader context of the Arabian Peninsula. This course traces the journey of the region from its assembly during the Pan-African Orogeny to its current position as a global leader in hydrocarbon production. Participants will explore how the UAE’s position on the northeastern margin of the Arabian Plate has dictated its complex history of sedimentation, subsidence, and tectonic deformation.

The coverage includes a deep dive into the UAE’s stratigraphic column, focusing on the massive Mesozoic carbonate platforms that host the majority of the nation’s oil and gas reserves. Attendees will examine the distinctive geological differences between the Abu Dhabi platform, the Dubai salt-influenced structures, and the Northern Emirates’ thrust-fold belts. The scope addresses the regional-scale structural styles, including the impact of the Oman Mountains’ obduction and the subsequent foreland basin development that shaped the eastern parts of the UAE.

Furthermore, the course addresses the petroleum systems of the UAE, analyzing the relationship between source rocks like the Shilaif/Salil and the world-class reservoirs of the Thamama, Wasia, and Aruma Groups. Participants will study the role of regional seals such as the Hith and Nahr Umr formations in maintaining reservoir integrity across the Emirates. By the end of the course, participants will be able to synthesize regional tectonic events with local geological features to better understand the distribution of resources in the UAE’s onshore and offshore provinces.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Define the tectonic position of the UAE relative to the Arabian Plate and the Tethys Ocean.
• Explain the basement architecture of the UAE and its influence on salt-related structures.
• Distinguish between the major Megasequences (AP1 to AP11) as they apply to the UAE.
• Identify the characteristics of the Hormuz Salt and its impact on the UAE’s offshore domes.
• Analyze the regional distribution and facies of the Paleozoic Khuff gas reservoirs.
• Evaluate the depositional architecture of the Jurassic Arab and Hith formations in the UAE.
• Understand the evolution of the Cretaceous Thamama Group as a premier carbonate reservoir.
• Explain the impact of the Oman Mountain Orogeny on the UAE’s eastern topography.
• Identify the regional seal networks and their effectiveness specifically within UAE basins.
• Analyze the structural styles of the Foreland Basin and the Northern Emirates thrust belt.
• Predict regional facies transitions from the Western Abu Dhabi desert toward the Arabian Gulf.
• Assess the timing of hydrocarbon charging events relative to the Alpine Orogeny.
• Utilize regional stratigraphic correlations to de-risk deep plays and unconventional leads.
• Communicate the geological history and resource potential of the UAE to technical peers.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Geologists, Geophysicists, and Petroleum Engineers working in the UAE or interested in the specific regional geology of the Arabian Plate and the Emirates.

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.