Course Details
This course, will present important aspects of structure and tectonics in the complex but highly prospective Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Ultra-Deep Water and salt provinces. It will cover aspects of compressional salt and shale tectonics as they relate to hydrocarbon exploration and production.
The course outlines a broad range of structural styles in the context of regional tectonics and petroleum systems. The characteristics of various structural styles will be illustrated by field and seismic examples. The evolution and parameters, which control the formation of complex structures, will be illustrated by movies and 3D images of scaled analogue modelling. These were performed at the IFP laboratories and obtained by X ray tomography. The effect of tectonics on trap generation and the different types of traps are discussed.
Course objectives:
Understand the geometry and origins of complex structural traps, in Fold-and-Thrust Belts , Ultra-Deep Water, and salt provinces. Apply the more recent salt tectonics and mechanical-stratigraphic concepts to understand and predict trap geometry.Improve the quality of the structural interpretation of subsurface and seismic data. Provide insights for exploration professionals in evaluating exploration opportunities, and traps.
Course outline
- Introduction and Course Objectives
- 4D scaled analogue modelling, method and examples
- Settings of Compressional Belts: Fold-and-Thrust Belt , Toe margin Ultra-Deep -gravitational belt , accretionary prism, and salt provinces
- Stress and Strain Concepts, classification of tectonic style
- Mechanical-stratigraphic concepts, role of Salt and shales on structures
- Mechanical and Physical Properties of Salt
- Overpressures, Shales Decollement, and Shale Tectonics
- Detached (thin-skinned) Thrust Belts with Salt or Shale decollement levels
- Multi-decollement levels and Structures in Compressional domains
- Driving Forces of Salt Tectonics
- Types and Evolution of Salt Structures
- Interaction between Sedimentation and Salt Deformation
- Interaction between Salt Deformation and Compression
- Driving Forces of Gravitional Deformation
- Evolution and comparison of Gravitional structures with salt or shale
- Growth and Geometry of Salt and Shale Structures, and Associated Traps in Compressional Domains
About the lecturer
Jean Letouzey is a Geologist-Geophysicist, senior specialist at the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP). He has worked in the oil industry for over 30 years, in research and development at IFP and in exploration throughout the world with the industry. He has developed an international reputation in structural/tectonics analysis and basin review, specially in fold-and-thrust belts and salt basins. His publications (over 90) include papers on regional tectonics and many structural styles around the world. Jean also teaches application of structural geology and seismic interpretation, to oil and gas exploration and production, in industry and in university for many years. Jean received his MSc in Geology and PhD in Geophysics from the University of Paris, and graduated in Geology and Geophysics from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Pétroles et Moteurs.
Who should attend?
Exploration and development geologists and geophysicists
Prerequisites
The session is relevant to geologists and geophysicists of all experience levels