Petroleum Geology for Non-Geologists

Overview

Every decision in the upstream business, from licence bidding to well placement, rests on an understanding of the subsurface. This course gives engineers, commercial staff and managers who did not train as geologists a working command of petroleum geology. Participants learn how sedimentary basins form, how source rocks generate hydrocarbons, and why oil and gas accumulate in some traps and not in others. The programme then moves from concepts to the documents used every day: geological maps, cross-sections, well logs and seismic sections. By the end of the week participants can follow a technical discussion with geoscientists, ask the right questions about risk and uncertainty, and understand how geological interpretation shapes volumes, development plans and investment decisions.

Objectives

• Explain the elements of a petroleum system and how they interact
• Describe the main sedimentary environments and the reservoir rocks they produce
• Identify common structural and stratigraphic trap types
• Read basic geological maps, cross-sections and stratigraphic columns
• Interpret simple well logs to recognise reservoir and seal intervals
• Understand how seismic data is used to map the subsurface
• Discuss geological risk and uncertainty with exploration teams

Who should attend

Training methodology

The course is built around short explanations followed by hands-on work with real data. Participants examine rock samples and photographs, correlate logs between wells, and draw simple maps and cross-sections in small groups. Case histories from producing fields show how geological ideas were tested by drilling, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Each day ends with a review of the key terms, and the week closes with a practical assessment. Participants receive a glossary and a set of reference charts to keep on their desks after the course.

Programme outline

Dates and fees

Fees are in GBP. per delegate.

Certificate

Frequently asked questions