Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas | Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation

Workshop in Integrated Geological and Geophysical Interpretation of Deep Marine Deposits

Course Code: N072
Instructors:  Lesli Wood
Course Outline:  Download
Format and Duration:
3 days

Next Event

Location: Houston
Date:  2 - 4 Jun. 2026
Start Time: 09:00 CDT
Event Code: N072a26C
Fee From: USD $4,135 (exc. Tax)

Summary

The course is aimed at exploration, development, and operations-level interpreters working in areas dominated by deepwater depositional systems. Through a combination of lectures and case studies, participants are exposed to many aspects of seismic stratigraphic interpretation, with an emphasis on predicting, mapping, and quantifying deepwater reservoirs.

Feedback

The exercises were very interesting, with highly representative examples of the topics covered and high quality material.

Schedule

Event Code: N072a26C
Duration: 3 days
Instructors: Lesli Wood
Dates: 2 - 4 Jun. 2026
Start Time: 09:00 CDT
Location: Houston
Fee From
USD $4,135 (exc. Tax)
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Duration and Training Method

A classroom course comprising a mixture of lectures, workshops, exercises, and case studies from carbonate and siliciclastic settings around the world.

Course Overview

Participants will learn to:

  1. Assess, map, and quantify deepwater depositional systems.
  2. Evaluate seismic facies to develop depositional models and predict reservoir presence, distribution, and quality.
  3. Construct seismic interpretations by integrating analogues, models, and well data.
  4. Analyze reflection terminations and configurations on seismic data.
  5. Assess the implications of interpretations on lithology, net-to-gross ratio, and reservoir properties.
  6. Evaluate the geomorphology of deepwater depositional systems using quantitative seismic geomorphologic techniques.

The lecture content provides a summary of the fundamentals of deep marine systems. The principal goal of the course is to equip subsurface interpreters with a methodology and hands-on experience in seismic stratigraphic interpretation of deepwater depositional systems. The course is designed to foster instructive discussions among experienced professionals, moderated and guided by the tutor. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of their own data for discussion.



Section 1

  • Introduction, overview, goals
    • Course logistics, goals, overview of agenda and relevance of deepwater reservoirs in the E&P busines
  • Fundamentals of Deepwater depositional systems
    • Model- vs. process-based approach
    • Factors controlling deposition in the deepwater environment
    • Depositional elements
    • Siliciclastic slope and deepwater systems
    • Carbonate slope and deepwater systems
  • Seismic facies analysis
    • Key surfaces in deepwater environments
    • Reflection terminations and configurations
    • Seismic facies interpretation and mapping
    • Review of integrated workflow and case studies
  • Exercises

Section 2

  • Seismic geomorphology of deepwater systems
    • Seismic geomorphology - tools and methodologies
    • Margin feeder systems: canyons, valleys, and channels (Exercise: Guyana)
    • Leveed and unleveed channel systems (Exercise: Gabon)
    • Lateral and terminal lobes/sheets

Section 3

  • Continuous current deposits – contourites
  • Mass transport complexes and deposits (Exercises: Trinidad and Permian)
  • Dealing with overburden issues (Exercise: Gulf of Mexico)
  • Wrap-up

This course is designed for geoscientists working on deepwater sediments across exploration, appraisal, development, or production. The workshop format requires a high degree of commitment and involvement from participants, who are strongly encouraged to bring relevant materials to contribute to the discussions.

Lesli Wood

Background
My technical expertise is in clastic sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and seismic geomorphology. I specialize in the study of land margins and the processes, deposits, and fluid systems that characterize them. This interest extends to systems on other planets, as well as on Earth. I have extensive experience in physical modeling of clastic processes and a strong interest in predictive models of complex geomorphic response to extrinsic and intrinsic changes.

In addition, I have research interests in gas hydrates, shale tectonics, and the biotic and fluid systems of deep-ocean mud volcanoes. My industry experience includes integrated study of petroleum systems, exploration prospect development and operations, and regional hydrocarbon prospect evaluation. I am well versed in the integration of biostratigraphic, oxygen isotopic, geochemical, seismic, and well log and production data for subregional and regional sequence stratigraphic and basin analysis.

Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD Colorado State University - Earth Resources
MS University of Arkansas - Geology
BS Arkansas Tech University - Geology

Courses Taught
N043: Gulf of Mexico Petroleum Systems
N072: Workshop in Geological Seismic Interpretation: Deep Marine Systems
N292:  Deepwater Depositional System Stratigraphy for Exploration and Development (Arkansas, USA)

CEU: 2.1 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 21 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.