Exploration and Reservoir Geology

The purpose of this course is to review and expand students’ knowledge of fundamental concepts regarding the formation of the oceanic crust and its relationship to magnetism and hydrothermal activity, as well as the origin, functioning, and dynamics of subduction zones (formation of active margins and back-arc basins), the mechanisms of subduction and continental collision (formation of the orogenic prism, post-orogenic extension, and exhumation). The interactions between tectonics and surface processes will also be discussed.

These concepts will be supported by theoretical and physical models and extensively illustrated with case studies of natural environments (the Himalayas and Tibet, Taiwan, the Alps, the western Pacific, Sumatra, and the Mediterranean). One course will be devoted to the Archean (geodynamics and georesources).

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This course introduces the fundamentals of structural geology at the master’s level. It focuses on the analysis of various features and mechanisms of deformation in the Earth’s crust, from the surface down to the base of the crust. Deformation is explored through field examples, samples, thin sections, and experiments. These observations are compared with theory and with analog, analytical, and numerical models.
Key topics covered:
(1) analysis of deformation at all scales, and associated tectonic regimes
(2) typology and kinematics of structural features (e.g., faults, fractures, folds, shear zones),
(3) Equilibrium structural cross-section,
(4) Relationship between different scales and depths of deformation,
(5) Different rheological and structural contexts (brittle and ductile structural levels, compressive and extensional regimes, homogeneous and stratified media),
(6) Presence of fluids and their role in deformation.

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Analysis of the formation of sedimentary basins through the interaction of internal drivers (lithospheric processes) and external drivers (processes in the Earth’s outer layers).
Analysis of post-depositional evolution leading to the formation of natural resources (energy and mineral).

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This module is an in-depth course in sedimentology that includes a lecture component and a practical field component. After an overview of the mechanisms of sedimentary record formation, hydrodynamic processes, and associated sedimentary features and structures, the various environments of terrigenous detrital and carbonate deposits are reviewed by surveying the sedimentary landscape from upstream to downstream.

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This module aims to provide the fundamentals of geophysical imaging of geological formations, from near the surface to the lithosphere scale. We will focus here on seismological methods (volume and surface wave tomography, receiver functions, ambient noise), gravimetry, and magnetotellurics. We will also present the fundamentals of reflection seismics (acquisition and processing). A case study conducted in a lab session will highlight the importance of combining these methods to best characterize the subsurface and its properties, particularly with regard to fluids.

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This fieldwork course takes place at the beginning of our Master’s program. It aims to characterize the sequence of processes involved in the formation and subsequent dismantling of the Variscan orogen through a thematic study of the Montagne Noire massif. Particular attention will be paid to (1) the study of deformation of the sedimentary cover and the geodynamic evolution of the basins; (2) the analysis of ductile deformation and associated metamorphism in the deepest crustal levels; and (3) the study of late-orogenic basins. This course consists of three successive stages: the preparatory phase involving the study of cartographic materials in the classroom, fieldwork and the writing of a report, and finally a critical review of the bibliography.

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The objective of this course unit is to standardize the knowledge of student cohorts from diverse academic backgrounds. The course focuses in particular on knowledge of mineralogy, magmatic petrology, and associated metal deposits. These disciplines are addressed through a synthetic and comprehensive approach that integrates processes and establishes links between the main mineralogical and geochemical reservoirs. The lectures are supplemented by laboratory exercises in magmatic petrology and metallogeny through the study of macroscopic and microscopic rock and mineralized samples.

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Contributions of geochemistry, geothermochronology, and petrology to our understanding:
- of the major stages in the formation, deformation, and evolution of sedimentary basins and their underlying strata
- of the formation, origin, age, and evolution of metal deposits

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The introduction covers concepts related to the economics of primary resources and the history of mineral resources. This course then focuses on understanding the main metallogenic processes in relation to their geodynamic contexts. The concepts of metallogenic systems are explored in detail through an understanding (description and formation processes) of the main exogenous and endogenous mineral deposits. Laboratory exercises provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the specific mineralogy of metal-bearing mineralizations.

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Key topics covered: the concept of sea level, the sedimentary record of sea-level changes, the concept of depositional sequences, the origin of sequences, the identification of sequences, and areas of application (basin/reservoir architecture, reservoir prediction).

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Case study of the Montpellier thrust fault, southwest of St. Paul-et-Valmalle: Mas d’Arnaud – Mas de Fabre – Le Castellas.
Structural geology, conventional and digital field mapping, facies sedimentology, GIS, detailed geological map.

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Field application of knowledge acquired in the analysis of sedimentary basins through a multidisciplinary, multiscale approach combining sedimentology and tectonics. This work involves integrating field observations and subsurface data in the case of a foreland basin.

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This course unit provides an overview of the mechanical behavior of rocks based on the results of laboratory-scale studies. The different types of laboratory experiments are described, and the various mechanical behaviors are discussed and illustrated with experimental data. Hydrostatic compression, uniaxial compression, and triaxial compression tests are thus described. Elastic, plastic, and viscous behaviors are examined, and the combination of these behaviors is applied to describe rock behavior.
Concepts related to the behavior of discontinuities, as well as fracture mechanics, are discussed. The concepts of creep and delayed behavior will also be addressed to examine the long-term behavior of rock masses.
To quantitatively analyze mechanical behavior, the concepts of stress and strain tensors will be introduced. These will enable the introduction of elastic strain calculations based on elastic moduli. The calculation of stresses on planes, based on knowledge of the stress tensor, will be addressed in the general case and illustrated using Mohr’s diagram.

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Seismic reflection is widely used in exploration, both offshore and onshore, regardless of the geological context. Although it was initially developed by the oil industry, it is now used by industry (oil and mining) as well as by research institutions and engineering firms. It can be deployed to image the subsurface on both a local and regional scale. Students will therefore learn to interpret sedimentary, structural, and fluid features identified on 2D and 3D seismic profiles. Particular attention will be paid to the resolution of the interpretation based on the initial data.

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Definition, classification, and in-depth analysis of naturally fractured reservoirs (NRF) in various geological contexts: different rock types (carbonates, clays, basement), burial, diagenesis, exhumation, folding, fault-induced damage, cooling, and mineralogical changes. Anthropogenic induced fracturing systems (hydraulic, thermal), applications to shale reservoirs (shale plays), cap rocks, and storage sites.
Integration of this knowledge into the exploration and development of naturally fractured reservoirs.
Concept and workflow for generating discrete fracture networks (DFNs).
Two-day pro bono presentation by Bertrand Gauthier of Total: Static and dynamic properties of fractured oil reservoirs.

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Training in the evaluation and numerical simulation of fractured reservoirs.
Workflow for building a structural model in Petrel, from seismic logging through the integration of well structural data and the reconstruction of the structural model, to the creation of a DFN (discrete fault/fracture network).

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Organic matter (OM) accounts for only a small portion of sedimentation. Unlike other deposited particles, it can change rapidly during burial by interacting with the grains of the host rock and producing fluids (gases and liquids) that will be highly mobile. Because it is degraded by bacteria, its preservation depends on numerous factors, but above all on the fine grain size of the grains deposited at the same time. Thus, clays represent the most favorable environment for the preservation of OM, but their complex mineralogy makes them a unique material that will also undergo transformation during burial. The products of these interactions have naturally attracted interest in the mining and petroleum industries, since these processes are responsible for the formation of major coal deposits and the production of hydrocarbons. Recently, however, studies have increasingly focused on these two elements as tracers of sediment origin and, subsequently, as markers of burial, which is of major importance for understanding the filling of basins and their post-depositional evolution.

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Mineral deposits, exploration techniques, geostatistics, mining economics. The course focuses primarily on presentations by industry professionals (mining and quarrying). Two days of fieldwork are dedicated to illustrating certain exploration methods, particularly through the study of uranium and gypsum mineralization.

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• Introduction and overview of the objectives of log interpretation
• Data preprocessing and correction
• Reservoir and cap identification
• Conventional deterministic approach (clay volume, porosity, saturation)
• “Quicklook” processing pipeline
•    Final estimation (cutoff, “net to gross”)
• Implementation using technical drawings followed by Techlog software (Schlumberger).

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• Overview of methods for deep drilling, covering both the technological aspects of drilling and mud and cuttings control (“mud logging”).
•    Overview of geophysical methods used during drilling, or “delayed logging” (electrical, nuclear, acoustic, and seismic methods, as well as techniques developed for in-situ measurements of temperature, pressure, and permeability).
• Application of these methods in the oil and gas industry and environmental contexts.

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Key topics covered: Petrophysics, carbonate rocks, siliciclastic rocks, oil flows, diagenesis

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The focus will be on weathering processes and fluid-rock interactions, but above all on the structural and textural constraints that enable us to propose innovative and original models of constrained deposits. In this course, we will emphasize the structural specificity of each deposit and the dangers of the sometimes indiscriminate application of textbook models.

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This learning unit introduces the fundamental concepts needed to understand the formation and operation of geothermal reservoirs.

First, the various types of geothermal energy—ranging from very low-energy geothermal systems to high-energy geothermal systems for electricity generation—are discussed in detail and examined through real-world case studies. A global overview is provided to assess the energy potential of geothermal resources.

The EU will then focus on several topics specific to geothermal energy, such as mass and heat transfer mechanisms in reservoirs. These will be discussed and illustrated using real-world examples through numerical modeling. The geological signature of geothermal reservoirs, such as mineral alterations, will also be studied in detail through case studies.

The issue of storage will be addressed by examining applications such as the underground storage of CO2, heat, or energy. The influence of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks, as well as the interactions between the stored fluids and the surrounding rocks, will be highlighted in order to assess the feasibility and sustainability of these storage systems.

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This course details the internal structure, mineralogical composition, and petrophysical properties of faults, as well as the geological conditions (stresses) that control their impermeability and integrity in faulted reservoir environments. We cover the different types of “fault seals” and the tools commonly used in the geological reservoir industry to predict fault permeability.
Key topics covered:
- Fault and top seals (juxtaposition, SGR, mechanical and diagenetic seals).
- Fault zonation,
- Deformation mechanisms,
- Deformation bands in porous sandstones,
- Permeability of fault zones.

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This course unit consists of completing two resource assessment projects based on applied case studies in the mining and petroleum sectors. Students will have access to the digital imaging platform. They will be introduced to the use of specific interpretation and evaluation software that will enable them to analyze the provided datasets (software such as Techlog, Coralis, Petrel, etc.). The results of the data interpretation will be summarized and presented in a concise and well-reasoned manner in the form of two reports or presentations.

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A 5- to 6-month internship at a company, engineering firm, or laboratory.

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