Basin Modeling and Petroleum Systems Analysis Training Course

Basin Modeling and Petroleum Systems Analysis Training Course

Introduction

Basin Modeling and Petroleum Systems Analysis Training Course is designed to equip geoscientists, petroleum engineers, exploration geologists, and energy professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills in sedimentary basin analysis, petroleum system modeling, hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation, and exploration risk assessment. This course explores the fundamental principles of basin evolution, tectonic development, sedimentary processes, burial history reconstruction, thermal maturity analysis, source rock characterization, and petroleum generation modeling

Participants will develop the ability to interpret burial and thermal histories, estimate source rock transformation ratios, assess hydrocarbon generation timing, evaluate trap formation relative to hydrocarbon migration, and identify potential exploration opportunities in both conventional and unconventional petroleum systems. The training highlights the importance of model calibration using vitrinite reflectance, bottom-hole temperatures, pressure data, and geochemical measurements to improve predictive reliability. By combining geological interpretation with computational modeling and risk-based analysis, this program enables participants to strengthen their technical capabilities, improve exploration efficiency, and contribute to digital transformation, subsurface intelligence, and data-driven hydrocarbon exploration across diverse sedimentary basins.

Course Duration

5 Days

Course Objectives

1. Explain the fundamental principles of basin analysis, tectonic evolution, and petroleum systems science.
2. Evaluate sedimentary basin architecture, depositional environments, and stratigraphic development.
3. Reconstruct geological burial history and subsidence patterns using well and seismic data.
4. Analyze thermal history, heat flow distribution, and geothermal gradients within sedimentary basins.
5. Evaluate source rock quality, organic richness, kerogen types, and hydrocarbon generation potential.
6. Apply source rock kinetics and thermal maturity models to predict oil and gas generation.
7. Perform 1D, 2D, and 3D basin modeling for integrated petroleum exploration.
8. Interpret hydrocarbon generation, expulsion, migration, and accumulation processes.
9. Assess petroleum system elements, including source rocks, reservoirs, seals, and traps.
10. Integrate geochemical, geological, well-log, and seismic datasets into calibrated basin models.
11. Apply petroleum systems modeling software and digital subsurface workflows to exploration challenges.
12. Conduct uncertainty analysis, sensitivity testing, and probabilistic exploration risk assessment.
13. Develop integrated basin modeling reports to support prospect evaluation, play ranking, and exploration investment decisions.

Target Audience

1. Petroleum geologists and exploration geoscientists.
2. Basin analysts and petroleum systems specialists.
3. Geochemists and organic geochemistry professionals.
4. Petroleum and reservoir engineers.
5. Seismic interpreters and structural geologists.
6. Exploration managers and subsurface team leaders.
7. Energy consultants and hydrocarbon resource evaluators.
8. Graduate students and researchers in petroleum geoscience, sedimentology, and applied geology.

Course Modules

Module 1: Fundamentals of Sedimentary Basin Analysis

• Principles of sedimentary basin formation and classification.
• Tectonic settings and basin evolution mechanisms.
• Sediment accumulation, subsidence, and stratigraphic architecture.
• Depositional environments and their influence on petroleum prospectivity.
• Introduction to integrated basin analysis and petroleum systems workflows.
• Case Study: Evaluate the geological evolution of a rift basin and identify how tectonic development influenced source rock deposition, reservoir distribution, and hydrocarbon prospectivity.

Module 2: Basin Architecture, Stratigraphy, and Burial History

• Stratigraphic correlation and sequence stratigraphy fundamentals.
• Reconstruction of sedimentation and erosion histories.
• Burial depth analysis and subsidence curve development.
• Unconformities, uplift, erosion, and their impact on basin evolution.
• Integration of well logs, seismic interpretation, and geological maps.
• Case Study: Reconstruct the burial and subsidence history of a sedimentary basin using well data and stratigraphic records to determine whether source rocks experienced sufficient burial for hydrocarbon generation.

Module 3: Thermal History and Heat Flow Modeling

• Fundamentals of geothermal gradients and heat transfer.
• Present-day and paleo-heat flow estimation.
• Thermal conductivity and lithology-dependent thermal properties.
• Temperature calibration using bottom-hole temperatures and maturity indicators.
• Effects of tectonic events, erosion, and magmatism on thermal evolution.
• Case Study: Investigate competing heat flow scenarios in a rift basin to determine their influence on source rock maturity and the predicted timing of oil generation.

Module 4: Source Rock Evaluation and Hydrocarbon Generation

• Source rock identification and organic matter characterization.
• Total organic carbon (TOC) and Rock-Eval pyrolysis interpretation.
• Kerogen classification and hydrocarbon generation potential.
• Source rock kinetics and transformation ratio analysis.
• Oil and gas generation windows and thermal maturity assessment.
• Case Study: Assess source rock samples from an offshore exploration basin to estimate organic richness, kerogen type, maturity, and potential hydrocarbon generation using geochemical data.

Module 5: Petroleum Systems Analysis and Hydrocarbon Migration

• Petroleum system elements and geological processes.
• Hydrocarbon generation, expulsion, and migration mechanisms.
• Carrier beds, faults, fractures, and migration pathways.
• Reservoir charge timing and source-to-reservoir relationships.
• Trap formation, seal integrity, and hydrocarbon preservation.
• Case Study: Analyze a petroleum system in which a mature source rock lies below several reservoir intervals, evaluating migration pathways and whether hydrocarbon charge occurred before or after trap formation.

Module 6: 1D, 2D, and 3D Basin Modeling Techniques

• Principles and applications of one-dimensional burial and maturity models.
• Two-dimensional cross-sectional basin simulation.
• Three-dimensional geological and petroleum systems modeling.
• Model construction using stratigraphic, lithological, and structural inputs.
• Introduction to basin modeling software, digital workflows, and model visualization.
• Case Study: Develop a conceptual basin model from multiple well locations and a seismic cross-section to compare source rock maturity, hydrocarbon generation, and migration patterns across a prospect area.

Module 7: Model Calibration, Uncertainty, and Exploration Risk

• Calibration using vitrinite reflectance, temperature, and geochemical data.
• Sensitivity analysis of heat flow, erosion, and source rock kinetics.
• Uncertainty in geological ages, lithology, and burial history.
• Probabilistic petroleum systems evaluation and scenario comparison.
• Integration of basin modeling results into prospect risk assessment.
• Case Study: Compare alternative geological scenarios for an underexplored basin and determine how uncertainty in erosion estimates and heat flow changes the predicted probability of successful hydrocarbon charge.

Module 8: Integrated Petroleum Systems Evaluation and Exploration Applications

• Integration of basin models with seismic, well, and geochemical datasets.
• Hydrocarbon prospectivity mapping and petroleum play assessment.
• Charge risk evaluation and exploration portfolio ranking.
• Resource assessment and unconventional petroleum systems applications.
• Technical reporting, model visualization, and exploration recommendations.
• Case Study: Prepare an integrated petroleum systems assessment for an offshore exploration block, identifying prospective areas, evaluating source maturity and charge access, and ranking leads based on geological risk and available evidence.

Training Methodology

• Interactive lectures and presentations.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
• Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
• Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
• Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
• Expert-led Q&A sessions.
• Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you