Events & Courses

Carbonate reservoirs constitute some of the most important sources of global oil and gas production. They form the world’s largest oil and gas accumulations, the world’s highest-producing fields, and have some of the longest production histories. Significant new carbonate discoveries continue to be made, and carbonates are also a source of geothermal energy or may be utilised for gas storage.

Successful development of supergiant carbonate reservoirs can result in plateau production that may last for decades, giving high ultimate recovery factors. But carbonate reservoirs can also be some of the most complex in terms of reservoir quality and heterogeneity. 

Many give disappointing ultimate recovery factors and some are deemed uncommercial with current technologies. Fundamental geological understanding, sufficient and appropriate geological and dynamic data, and the construction of effective models are the keys to optimising the exploitation of such reservoirs.

This conference will focus on how lessons learned from more than a century of discovery, appraisal and development of carbonate reservoirs may be applied to emerging discoveries. It will bring together the experiences of diverse operators with the objective of highlighting best practices for the geological characterisation of carbonate reservoirs from appraisal to production.

Potential session themes

• Excess permeability – blessing or curse?
• Pores vs. stratigraphy – what controls dynamic reservoir behaviour?
• Reservoir analogues – how useful are they?
• Static modelling of carbonate reservoirs – how predictive can we be?
• Multiscale/multidisciplinary dynamic reservoir characterisation – how can we integrate geology effectively?
• Improving recovery/revitalising old carbonate fields – adding value through geological understanding
• Beyond oil and gas – carbonate reservoirs for CCUS, geothermal and other uses
  
  

Planned field trips

9-10 May 2022 - Zechstein carbonates of the north-east of England, led by Cambridge Carbonates Ltd


The field trip is based in the NE of England, around the coastal exposures between Seaham and South Shields, and accessible inland exposures. Tide times will influence the order in which outcrops will be visited. Transportation around the field area will be by minibus, which is included in the field trip cost. A 1.5 day field course discussing the carbonate facies and diagenesis of contrasting sedimentary sequences in the Zechstein of North East England, with comparison to the subsurface.
The Zechstein carbonates and evaporite collapse breccias are well exposed in NE England and demonstrate the formation of sedimentary sequences under the influence of evaporitic drawdown and marine transgression. These sedimentary sequences show contrasting shelf and ramp geometries with differing facies patterns, diagenesis, and pore types. The dissolution of inter-bedded evaporites allows the geometry of carbonate collapse breccias and associated diagenetic effect to be seen in the area.


Where to stay
The field trip will start from Durham at 08:30am on Monday morning, and end in Durham in the early afternoon on Tuesday. There are frequent direct trains from London to Durham, and the trip will end in good time on the Tuesday so that delegates can travel to London for the main conference on the Wednesday. 

Transportation to Durham is not included in the cost, and delegates are asked to make their own way there.
We suggest staying at the Durham Travelodge, and this will be the main meeting point on Monday morning: 
https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/204/Durham-hotel
Delegates are asked to make their own hotel booking.

What to bring
This field trip will involve outdoor activity in any weather conditions, so you are advised to wear sturdy footwear and comfortable clothing. British springtime weather can be highly variable, so please also bring a waterproof and warm layers in addition to sunscreen.

For further information please contact Jo Garland: [email protected] 

Register here for field trip



13-14 May 2022 - The Carboniferous platforms of Derbyshire, led by Pete Gutteridge (Cambridge Carbonates)


The field trip is based in the Peak District National Park. Transportation around the field area will be by minibus, which is included in the field trip cost; meals, accommodation and show cave visit (estimated approx. £7.50) is not included in the cost.

 A 2 day field trip demonstrating the demise of the Dinantian Derbyshire carbonate platform from the Asbian through to the early Namurian.

The Derbyshire carbonate platform suffered an number of internal and external sedimentological and stratigraphic events that led to the shut down of carbonate production during the late Dinantian.

The northern and southern margins around Castleton and Wirksworth demonstrate the sequence stratigraphic relationships and detailed carbonate facies evolution that tell the story of the doomed carbonate platform. This trip includes a visit to a show cave.

Timings and where to stay
The field trip takes place the day after the conference finishes. We suggest delegates travel to Derby by train on the Thursday evening.
We recommend delegates stay at the Holiday Inn Express, Pride Park, Derby. This is walking distance from Derby train station.
Delegates are asked to make their own hotel booking, and own arrangements for travelling to and from Derby.
We will meet delegates on the Thursday evening for dinner.
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/derby/dbyuk/hoteldetail  

What to Bring
This field trip will involve outdoor activity in any weather conditions, so you are advised to wear sturdy footwear and comfortable clothing. British springtime weather can be highly variable, so please also bring a waterproof and warm layers in addition to sunscreen. 


For further information please contact Pete Gutteridge: [email protected]

Register here for field trip