SC1: Fundamentals of Structural Geology and Salt Tectonics with a Focus on Styles Applicable to the East Texas Basin and Onshore Gulf Coast

Short Course Leader: 

Dr. Molly Turko Devon Energy

Structural geology is a key player in petroleum systems and basin dynamics. It can impact reservoir geometry, trapping style, seal integrity, and migration. This course will cover some fundamentals of structural geology and then focus on salt tectonics applicable to the East Texas Basin and Gulf Coast. It will be divided into three sections 1) fundamentals of structural geology to lay the foundation, 2) introduction to salt tectonics and styles focused on what we see in the East Texas Basin and onshore Gulf Coast, and 3) examples, case studies, and exercises. The first section of the course will introduce participants to things like structural styles, stress regimes, faulting geometries, perturbed stresses (fracture proxies), and fracture mechanics. The second section will cover salt tectonics, however since this can include of a very broad spectrum of topics, we will focus on the types of salt structures common to the East Texas Basin and onshore Gulf Coast. This may include things like salt diapirs, pillows, and turtle structures in relationship to reservoir deposition, migration, and trap timing. Lastly, we will look at some case studies and examples from the East Texas Basin and onshore Gulf Coast. Throughout the course we’ll include exercises and quizzes to help drive home the topics at hand.

Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025

Time: 9 am - 12 pm

Location: Cole STEM Building, SFASU Campus

Fee: $50

Lunch provided after, courtesy of GeoMark Research