COURSE OVERVIEW:

Thin section petrography and diagenesis represent the microscopic foundation for understanding the quality and behavior of sedimentary reservoir rocks. While seismic and well logs provide a macroscopic view, petrography reveals the pore-scale mineralogical relationships that ultimately control permeability and fluid storage. This course focuses on the detailed identification of framework grains, matrix, and cements to reconstruct the post-depositional history or diagenesis of sandstones and carbonates.

The scope of this course details the various diagenetic processes, such as compaction, cementation, and dissolution, that modify the primary depositional porosity. Participants will learn how to use polarized light microscopy (PLM) to identify mineral phases and quantify pore geometries. The curriculum emphasizes the link between microscopic observations and macroscopic reservoir performance, explaining why rocks with similar total porosity can have vastly different flow characteristics due to pore-throat mineralogy and pore-lining cements.

Coverage includes advanced laboratory techniques such as Cathodoluminescence (CL), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to complement thin section analysis. The course provides a comprehensive workflow for integrating petrographic data into reservoir models, allowing geoscientists to predict reservoir quality trends in undrilled areas. By mastering these skills, participants can identify the geological drivers behind reservoir heterogeneity and provide critical input for enhanced oil recovery and carbon storage projects.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Identify major rock-forming minerals and framework grains in thin sections.
• Classify sandstones and carbonates according to industry-standard schemes.
• Quantify mineralogy and porosity using point-counting techniques.
• Define the sequence of diagenetic events (paragenesis) for a reservoir rock.
• Analyze the impact of mechanical and chemical compaction on porosity loss.
• Identify various types of cements including quartz overgrowths, carbonates, and clays.
• Distinguish between primary, secondary, and microporosity under the microscope.
• Evaluate the role of dissolution in creating secondary reservoir potential.
• Interpret the impact of clay mineralogy (illite, kaolinite, chlorite) on permeability.
• Utilize Cathodoluminescence to differentiate between multiple generations of cement.
• Integrate SEM and XRD data to validate petrographic observations.
• Relate microscopic pore-throat geometries to capillary pressure and fluid flow.
• Predict reservoir quality variations based on burial history and diagenetic models.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Geologists, Petrophysicists, Reservoir Engineers, and Laboratory Technicians involved in core analysis 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.