Biostratigraphy Laboratory Techniques Training Course

Introduction

This training course will focus on the existing biostratigraphy laboratory techniques and how they are used routinely in the Petroleum Industry. We will cover the main disciplines (Palynology, Micropaleontology and Nannofossil paleontology), the differences in their processing methods and the infrastructure, equipment and materials needed to obtain excellent, quality controlled, biostratigraphic data.  Emerging documentation and observation techniques such as virtual scanning will be detailed during the training course.

This training course will highlight:

• Main disciplines used in the petroleum industry
• Laboratory techniques used to extract microfossils from sedimentary rocks
• Infrastructure, materials, and equipment needed in a biostratigraphic laboratory
• Safety and health procedures
• Observation, documentation, and storage of biostratigraphic data

Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will learn to:

• Understand the main biostratigraphic disciplines used in the Petroleum industry
• Learn the basic technical requirements of a working biostratigraphic laboratory
• Develop the capacity to process biostratigraphic samples
• Understand and apply laboratory HSE rules
• Learn the existing options for biostratigraphic data documentation, storage and usage

Training Methodology

This training course will utilize a variety of proven learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, retention of the information presented. The training course is conducted via an Advanced Virtual Learning Platform in the comfort of any location of your choice.

Organisational Impact

This training course will have a significant impact on:

• Enabling organizations to implement sound biostratigraphy processing techniques

• Understand the infrastructure, equipment and materials needed in a biostratigraphy laboratory

• Implement adequate HSE regulations

• Provide quality training to their staff, from lab technicians to managers

• Boost technical capacity in exploration and development efforts

• Provide biostratigraphic services to the group of companies and to third parties

Personal Impact

At a personal level, this training course will have a significant impact on:

• Being able to implement biostratigraphy processing techniques in the organization laboratories

• Understand the infrastructure, equipment and materials needed in a biostratigraphy laboratory

• Be aware and have the capacity to implement adequate HSE regulations

• Increase the technical skills in a laboratory environment

• Support the organization in their exploration and development activities

• Communicate effectively with other staff regarding laboratory activities

Who Should Attend?

The training course is designed to provide industry professionals with a working knowledge of the techniques used to process rock samples for biostratigraphic analysis. This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit: 

• Exploration geologists
• Production geologists
• Sedimentologists, stratigraphers, geochemists, and other specialists
• Laboratory managers
• Laboratory technicians

Course Outline

Palynology Preparation Techniques

• Types of lithologies suitable for different microfossil techniques

• Palynological processing techniques – acid, non-acid, sieving, mounting, observation and analysis

• Documentation

• Quality control

• Equipment and materials used

• Chemicals used in palynological processing

• HSE procedures and safety

Micropaleontology Preparation Techniques

• Sample preparation and processing techniques

• Washing and thin section methods basic detergent washing, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid leaching, cuttings, SWCs, cores

• Sample residue segregation

• Picking, mounting

• Standard thin-section procedures and chemicals used, rapid thin-section procedures, kerosene thin-section preparations, staining

• Observation and analysis

• HSE procedures and safety

Nannofossil Preparation Techniques and Photography and Scanning 

• Nannofossil processing techniques: mobile mount method, standard smear slide, spray slide method, short centrifuging method, gravity settling method

• Cleaning, contamination and picked lithologies

• Mounting, observation and analysis

• Equipment and materials

• HSE procedures and safety

• Routine photography: palynology, nannofossils, lithologies, microfossils, thin-sections, Z-stack software

• Virtual image scanning: palynology, nannofossils, thin-sections