Deep-water depositional systems form some of the largest petroleum reservoirs on Earth and represent the frontier of oil and gas exploration. However, deep-water depositional systems remain the least well understood because sediment gravity flows, including turbidity currents and hybrid and debris flows, are both infrequent and difficult to predict and monitor, setting them apart from sediment transport processes occurring on mountain tops and shallow marine settings. Therefore, modern seismic data and, in particular, deep-water outcrops provide prime sources of stratigraphic data used to risk drilling targets and build reservoir models at every phase in the upstream exploration and production process. This course focuses on sub-bed-scale and field-scale architectural elements in deep-water depositional systems and how they affect the main risks in deep-water E&P across the value chain: reservoir presence, deliverability, seal and trap. The course has three main themes: 

• Sediment gravity flows, sedimentation mechanics and resulting bed configuration. 

• Depositional elements in the core, outcrop, and seismic scale. 

• Application and interpretation of risk and uncertainty from new ventures to field development and EOR. 

The impact of deep-water reservoir architecture on field success will be investigated through modeling theory, to derive strategies for optimal outcomes over a range of uncertainty. Case studies will be used to illustrate each topic and determine appealing workflows. This course will alternate between inclusive lectures, hands-on technical demonstrations, and collaborative exercises involving practical application of cores, outcrops, logs, and seismic data. The course starts with an overview of how sediment is transported and deposited from shelf to bathyal depths and focuses on the broad range of sedimentary processes and depositional environments. Individual and team exercises involving core and outcrop samples allow participants to describe samples and interpret their mechanism of deposition and their range of possible depositional environments. Next, a deeper dive into depositional environments illustrates the types of facies, as well as depositional and stratigraphic architecture, likely to be found along the deep-water depositional system from submarine canyon to basin plain. Collaborative exercises using core, outcrop, and seismic examples highlight the range of deep-water depositional environments and their effect on reservoir architecture and development. The skills of core description and integration, reservoir characterization, and sequence stratigraphy are emphasized. Core-log-seismic exercises will show modern techniques on how to predict variations in reservoir architecture in deep-water depositional systems. This course will conclude with a discussion summarizing modern advancements in the prediction of sedimentary deposits, facies, and reservoir development in a variety of different settings. 

The course is designed for employees of natural resource companies in technical and management positions. Industry professionals will receive an understanding of deep-water sedimentary transport processes and depositional products, as well as knowledgeable insight into the scale and architecture of the wide range of deep-water reservoirs.