Volcaniclastic Rocks - Classification, Properties, Genesis and Depositional Settings (GG16)


DATE	LOCATION	FEES		REGISTRATION


2011	tba		Course Fee: tba

Instructor

Roger Suthren

Course Level: Intermediate

This course is designed for specialists interested in learning about the characteristics and applications of volcaniclastic rocks in hydrocarbon exploration and production.
The term volcaniclastic encompasses all fragmental volcanic rocks, regardless of their genesis. Volcaniclastic processes grade from purely magmatic at one end of the spectrum, to purely sedimentary at the other. A number of oil and gas fields around the world are producing from volcanic sequences, some dominated by lavas, and others by volcaniclastic rocks. It is important to understand the characteristics of volcaniclastic rocks, and how they differ from ‘normal’ (nonvolcanic) clastic systems in their composition, texture, transport and depositional processes, and post-depositional modification.
The course starts with a review of the composition, textures and classification of volcaniclastic rocks. This is followed by detailed examination of the genesis of the various types of volcaniclastic rocks and sequences, and the effects of alteration and diagenesis. The course then covers important aspects of the field geology and stratigraphy of volcanic systems. This provides the background for the development of volcaniclastic facies models, using case studies from a range of tectonic and volcanic settings. The course considers how these models can be applied to petroleum exploration and production in volcanic environments.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

The importance of volcanic rocks in petroleum exploration and production

The main components and mineralogy of volcaniclastic rocks

Textures of volcaniclastic rocks, with an emphasis on porosity and permeability

Identification of the components and textures of volcaniclastic rocks in core, cuttings, thin sections and scanning electron microscope images

Classification of volcanic sediments and rocks based on composition and texture

Techniques for examination of volcanic materials in the laboratory

Review of controls on volcano behaviour, and how they affect the resultant deposits

Formation, transport and deposition of volcaniclastic sediments – autoclastic, pyroclastic, hydroclastic and reworking processes

Recognition of the products of the different volcanic processes, based on field characteristics and petrography

Inherent instability and early diagenetic alteration of volcanic materials

Hydrothermal alteration and low-grade metamorphism of volcanic sequences, and their effects on composition and reservoir properties

Recognition of minerals and textures produced by alteration of volcaniclastic rocks

Field techniques in volcaniclastic rocks

Macroscopic features and field relationships in volcaniclastic sequences

Fracture systems in lavas and volcaniclastic rocks

Introduction to recognition of volcanic features in cores and borehole image logs

Stratigraphical principles in volcanic sequences

Ash layers as stratigraphic tools

The complex stratigraphy of volcaniclastic deposits

Occurrence of volcaniclastic rocks in different tectonic environments

Facies models for lava-dominated systems – subaerial and subaqueous

Facies models for volcaniclastic-dominated systems – subaerial and subaqueous

Facies models for mixed lava-volcaniclastic systems – subaerial and subaqueous

Case studies of volcanic depositional systems from island arcs, continental margin arcs, continental and oceanic rift systems, basaltic lava-dominated volcanoes

Reservoirs, seals and traps in volcanic systems

Lavas as petroleum reservoirs

Volcaniclastic sediments as petroleum reservoirs

Case studies of petroleum exploration and production in volcanic terrains

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The course is designed as a comprehensive introduction to volcaniclastic rocks for all geologists and related disciplines involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

This course gives you the opportunity to add on a 2 days field trip to the ‘Styrian Volcanic Region’. For further details and costs please contact training@hoteng.com.

COURSE VENUE:

INSTRUCTOR

Roger Suthren