An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development
Course Overview
Biostratigraphy is often run as a service in oil exploration & development for age and palaeoenvironmental interpretation. But the power that can be provided by critical insight of the data generated for detailed sequence analysis including unconformities and sequence breaks plus the identification of flooding and condensed surfaces and its use for facies identification (reservoir to non- reservoir) are often not optimally achieved. Subsequently neither are the desired high resolution stratigraphical correlations.
The integration of biostratigraphical data with seismic interpretations and sedimentological and petrographical data utilizes its power most efficiently. This Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development training course sets out to illustrate this best use. The pitfalls with the use of biostratigraphical data will be discussed, which often relates to the geological context in which formations were deposited. By identifying them and often then utilizing them with regards to understanding the geology, this helps to unlock the tool and with it a realization of the possibilities that optimum use of this technique can bring.
This training course will introduce the applied use of biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy in both an exploration and development context with working examples from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, and will also cover both marine and non-marine sediments.
This GLOMACS Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development training course will include:
- An introduction to the different microfossil groups
- A discussion on the laws of stratigraphy and how biostratigraphy can be used to determine a chronostratigraphy
- Which microfossil groups to use for which age of sediments and how they are used as palaeoenvironmental indicators
- What pitfalls to look for and how these can lead to a better geological understanding
- How to use biostratigraphy and bio facies to identify key seismic markers
- How to integrate biostratigraphical data with other geological data (sedimentological, petrographical, geochemical) to maximize its use
- How to use integrated biostratigraphical data to build a high-resolution sequence stratigraphy
- How biostratigraphy can be used in play definition and for play based exploration
- Working examples of applied stratigraphy for exploration and development from Africa, Asia and Europe
Training Objectives
By the end of this Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development training course, participants will be able to:
- Have knowledge of the different microfossil groups and in which ages of sediment and palaeoenvironment of deposition they can be utilized
- Develop an understanding of how biostratigraphical data can be integrated with other geological data to optimize its use as an interpretative tool
- Develop an enhanced interpretation skill to recognize key seismic markers and how to interpret these as a geological sequence by integrating biostratigraphical data
- Interpret palaeoenvironment of deposition by using biostratigraphical assemblages
- Use biostratigraphy as a predictive tool in exploration and development
Who should Attend?
This GLOMACS Applied Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy in Oil Exploration & Development training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:
- Exploration Geologists
- Development Geologists
- Seismic Interpreters
- Sedimentologists
- Petrographers
- Upstream subsurface professionals who are interested in optimally utilizing geological data as a predictive tool in sedimentary basins and for identifying hydrocarbon plays in active petroleum systems
About Saudi Glomacs
At Saudi GLOMACS, we specialize in delivering world-class training courses in Saudi Arabia and across various international locations. Our training courses are tailored to meet the unique demands of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, focusing on empowering Saudi citizens and enhancing workforce skills. We offer diverse courses spanning leadership, management, engineering, and technical disciplines to cultivate expertise and drive professional growth. Our flexible learning options—whether in-person, online, or in-house—ensure accessibility and convenience for individuals and organizations alike.
With over 30+ years of experience through the GLOMACS global network, we are committed to delivering innovative, results-driven training solutions. Our expert instructors combine industry knowledge with dynamic teaching methods, fostering practical skill development and long-term career success. By choosing Saudi GLOMACS, you're investing in personal excellence and contributing to the Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth and vision-driven transformation.
Training Outline
DAY 1: Stratigraphy and an Introduction to Micropaleontology
- The Laws of Stratigraphy
- Age Dating Methods for Sediments and Igneous Rocks
- The Stratigraphical Column and Chronostratigraphy
- The Different Microfossil Groups and Preparation Techniques
- Organic Microfossils (Palynomorphs) including Acritarchs, Chitinozoans, Dinoflagellates, Pollen and Spores
- Inorganic Microfossils including Microforaminifera and Ostracoda
DAY 2: Biostratigraphy
- Microfossil Evolution through the Stratigraphical Column
- Building Stratigraphical Range Charts
- First Downhole occurrence, Last Downhole occurrence, Fossil Assemblages
- Numerical Methods, Frequency Polygons, Abundance increases and Maxima
- Index Fossils
- Stratigraphical Type Sections and the relation between Biostratigraphy and Chronostratigraphy
DAY 3: Biostratigraphical Correlations and Correlation Techniques
- Building a Biostratigraphical Cross Section, Datum Selection
- Pitfalls using Biostratigraphical Data, Downhole Caving, Reworking, Contamination
- Definition of Biozones
- Integration of Sedimentological and Petrographical Data
- The Integration of Geochemical Information
- Identification of Unconformities / Hiatus in the sequences
DAY 4: Biostratigraphy, Paleoenvironment’s and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy
- Using Micropalaeontology for Palaeoenvironmental Interpretation
- Marine Microfossils vs. Non-marine Microfossils
- Preservation of Microfossil groups and Different Lithology’s
- Definition of Water Depth from the Different Fossil Groups
- The Identification of Sequence Boundaries using Biostratigraphical Data
- Using Biostratigraphical Data to Identify Condensed Sequences and Maximum Flooding Surfaces
- Using Biostratigraphical Data to Identify Lowstand System and High Stand System Tracts
- Integration of Biostratigraphical Data and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy
- The Pitfalls, Understanding the Resolution related to the Geology and the Limitations
DAY 5: Play Definition using Play Based Exploration Techniques
- Hydrocarbon Play Definition – What is a play?
- Integrated Biostratigraphy and its use in Play Based Exploration Techniques
- The Deltaic to marine Cretaceous Alagamar Play in Potiguar Basin, Equatorial Marginal of Brazil
- The Cenozoic deepwater turbidites and associated salt play, Lower Congo Basin, Angola
- The Early Silurian Hot shales of the Arabian plate, source rock characterization
Certificates
- On successful completion of this training course, GLOMACS Certificate will be awarded to the delegates
- Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) : In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsor, one CPE credit is granted per 50 minutes of attendance
Accreditation
GLOMACS is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.
All Training Seminars delivered by GLOMACS by default are eligible for CPE Credit.
Providers and Associations
Sessions in international locations
Online Sessions
What do you need to learn next?
Check our list of courses or let us customize a course for you.
View courses
