Southwest Section

This course is designed to give participants the basic working tools to explore and develop hydrocarbons in salt basins. Because no two basins are alike, the focus is on understanding the processes and styles of salt-related deformation. At course completion participants should be able to under the depositional setting of layered evaporites, describe the mechanics of salt flow, interpret salt and stratal geometries associated with diapirs, salt welds, and minibasins, and assess more accurately the risks in the exploration of salt basins.

This course summarizes the major advances and current controversies in dolomite research. Attendees will gain understanding of what creates dolomite in various geologic settings along with the different sizes and shapes that dolomitized reservoir bodies can attain and then how porosity and permeability can change via dolomitization.

By using case studies and a collection of over 50 core samples illustrating natural and drilling-induced fractures, this course provides a detailed appreciation for the significant variability in the different fracture types found in hydrocarbon reservoirs.

The overall goal of this course is to provide tools for efficient and effective re-exploration and development. It uses a two-part approach. First it uses petrophysical analysis to understand all that can be derived from examination of standard open-hole logs. This is followed by integrated approaches to discover key factors controlling oil and gas distribution in carbonate reservoirs in the greater Midcontinent USA. Methodologies and workflows reviewed include geosteering and evaluation of horizontal wells and optimizing carbon storage utilization and management.

The latest technical workshop concerned with geopressure is sponsored by the SPE, AAPG, and SEG professional societies to encourage sharing technical approaches, scientific foundation, and work processes to enhance safe and efficient well operations through a series of presentations and open discussion.