Petroleum Geology Courses
Technical training for subsurface analysis and field development
Structured learning • Real applications
What we actually teach
Our courses focus on practical skills you'll use when working with geological data. We cover basin analysis, reservoir characterization, and seismic interpretation through structured sessions that build from fundamentals to applied techniques. Each programme includes case studies from producing fields and exploration plays, so you're working with real geological scenarios rather than abstract concepts.
The sessions are designed for geologists who need specific technical knowledge. Whether you're moving into petroleum geology from another discipline or updating your skillset for current industry practices, the material connects geological theory to actual subsurface problems. We emphasize data interpretation, structural understanding, and practical decision-making rather than theoretical frameworks alone.
Participants work through actual datasets during sessions. You'll interpret seismic lines, evaluate reservoir properties from well logs, and construct geological models using standard industry software. The training includes direct feedback on your interpretations and discussion of alternative approaches to common geological challenges.
Basin to prospect scale
We start with regional geology and work down to reservoir-level detail, showing how large-scale tectonic settings influence local plays and drilling targets.
Data interpretation focus
Most sessions involve hands-on work with seismic data, well logs, and core samples. You'll practice making interpretations and defending your geological models.
Field case studies
Each course includes detailed examination of real fields, showing how geological understanding evolves from exploration through development and production phases.
Industry-standard tools
Training uses the same software and workflows you'll encounter in professional settings, so technical skills transfer directly to workplace applications.
Programme structure
Detailed examination of sedimentary basins from formation through petroleum system development. You'll learn to recognize basin types, understand their tectonic evolution, and evaluate their petroleum potential through integrated analysis of geological and geophysical data.
- Plate tectonics and basin classification
- Stratigraphic analysis and correlation methods
- Source rock evaluation and maturation modeling
- Migration pathways and trap formation
- Play concept development and risk assessment
Advanced training in understanding reservoir properties and their impact on production. This programme covers petrophysical analysis, fluid flow mechanics, and the geological controls on reservoir quality. You'll work with core data, well logs, and production histories to build accurate reservoir models.
- Depositional systems and facies architecture
- Porosity and permeability relationships
- Well log interpretation and petrophysics
- Fluid contacts and pressure regimes
- Reservoir modeling and uncertainty quantification
- Production data integration
Practical training in reading and interpreting seismic data for structural and stratigraphic analysis. The course emphasizes systematic interpretation workflows, from initial data quality assessment through final structural mapping and prospect identification.
- Seismic acquisition and processing fundamentals
- Structural interpretation and fault analysis
- Horizon picking and surface mapping
- Seismic stratigraphy and sequence analysis
- Amplitude analysis and DHI evaluation
- Time-to-depth conversion methods
- Integration with well data
How different courses approach key topics
Basin Analysis approach
This workshop emphasizes regional geology and petroleum system analysis. You'll spend time understanding the large-scale tectonic and stratigraphic framework before examining specific plays. The focus is on recognizing geological patterns that indicate petroleum potential and understanding how basin evolution controls the distribution of source rocks, reservoirs, and seals.
Scale of analysis
Work ranges from crustal-scale plate reconstructions down to prospect-level play fairway mapping. Most exercises involve regional datasets covering hundreds to thousands of square kilometers.
Data types emphasized
Regional seismic lines, well correlation panels, basin modeling results, and published geological maps. Less focus on detailed well logs or production data.
Key deliverables
Petroleum system charts, play concept maps, source rock maturity models, and regional cross-sections showing structural and stratigraphic relationships.
Typical applications
Frontier exploration, new venture screening, basin entry decisions, and regional prospect generation. Useful for early-stage exploration work.
Specific skills developed
- Tectonic setting recognition from structural patterns
- Stratigraphic correlation across widely spaced wells
- Thermal history reconstruction from burial models
- Play fairway mapping using multiple geological criteria
- Resource potential estimation at basin scale
- Integration of geochemical and geological data
Reservoir Characterization approach
This programme concentrates on understanding reservoir properties at the field and well scale. You'll work extensively with core data, well logs, and production information to characterize reservoir heterogeneity and predict fluid flow behavior. The emphasis is on building detailed geological models that accurately represent reservoir architecture and property distributions.
Scale of analysis
Field to well scale, typically covering areas of a few to tens of square kilometers. Vertical resolution extends to individual bed and lamina level in some exercises.
Data types emphasized
Core photographs and descriptions, full suites of wireline logs, pressure test data, production histories, and geological models. Integration with seismic attributes where available.
Key deliverables
Facies models, petrophysical property distributions, structural framework models, and reservoir simulation grids populated with geological properties.
Typical applications
Appraisal well planning, development strategy optimization, infill drilling programs, and production performance analysis. Critical for field development projects.
Specific skills developed
- Facies identification from core and log responses
- Petrophysical calculations and quality control
- Geological modeling in industry software platforms
- Integration of dynamic data with static models
- Uncertainty assessment in property predictions
- Cross-disciplinary communication with engineers
Seismic Interpretation approach
This intensive focuses on extracting maximum geological information from seismic data. You'll learn systematic interpretation workflows, from initial data conditioning through final structural and stratigraphic mapping. The course emphasizes practical interpretation skills and understanding the relationship between seismic response and subsurface geology.
Scale of analysis
Prospect to regional scale, depending on the dataset. Vertical resolution typically ranges from 10-50 meters, with lateral extent from a few square kilometers to basin-wide coverage.
Data types emphasized
2D and 3D seismic volumes, well ties and synthetic seismograms, velocity data, and seismic attributes. Integration with structural and stratigraphic well data throughout.
Key deliverables
Interpreted horizons and faults, time and depth structure maps, seismic facies maps, and integrated geological cross-sections tied to seismic data.
Typical applications
Prospect identification and maturation, structural trap definition, stratigraphic play delineation, and drilling hazard assessment. Fundamental to all exploration and development work.
Specific skills developed
- Systematic fault interpretation and quality control
- Horizon tracking in structurally complex areas
- Seismic sequence boundary identification
- Amplitude anomaly evaluation and classification
- Velocity model building and depth conversion
- Integration of well control with seismic framework
Start with what fits your current needs
Each programme runs independently, so you can begin with the course that addresses your most immediate technical requirements. Many participants start with one area and add others as their work demands broaden. Contact us to discuss which programme aligns with your current projects and geological challenges.