COURSE OVERVIEW:

Structural geology and tectonics provide the foundational framework for understanding the deformation of the Earth's crust and the formation of sedimentary basins. This course focuses on the mechanics of rock deformation and the resulting geometries of folds, faults, and fractures at scales ranging from microscopic to regional. By studying the forces that shape the subsurface, geoscientists can more accurately predict the architecture of potential hydrocarbon traps and the distribution of mineral resources.

The scope of this course integrates fundamental structural principles with global tectonic models. Participants will explore the behavior of rocks under stress, the physics of faulting, and the evolution of divergent, convergent, and strike-slip plate boundaries. The curriculum emphasizes the application of structural techniques to subsurface interpretation, including the use of seismic data to map complex structural styles such as salt tectonics, inverted basins, and fold-and-thrust belts.

Coverage includes the practical analysis of stress and strain, the construction of balanced cross-sections, and the evaluation of structural timing relative to sedimentation. The course teaches participants how to identify the tectonic drivers behind basin formation and how these processes influence reservoir compartmentalization and seal integrity. Mastering these concepts is essential for any geoscientist involved in exploration, as the structural history of a basin dictates the migration pathways and ultimate entrapment of fluids.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Identify and classify various structural geometries including folds, faults, and joints.
• Explain the relationship between stress, strain, and rock rheology.
• Utilize stereographic projections for the analysis of structural data.
• Analyze the tectonic evolution of different types of sedimentary basins.
• Differentiate between brittle and ductile deformation mechanisms.
• Map complex fault systems and evaluate their kinematic history.
• Interpret structural styles from 2D and 3D seismic reflection data.
• Construct and restore balanced cross-sections to validate structural models.
• Evaluate the role of salt and shale tectonics in basin deformation.
• Determine the timing of structural growth relative to hydrocarbon migration.
• Predict fracture patterns and stress orientations within a structural framework.
• Assess the impact of structural compartmentalization on reservoir performance.
• Formulate a regional tectonic model for a target exploration province.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Geologists, Geophysicists, Explorationists, and Structural Specialists involved in basin analysis and prospect maturation.

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.