Sequence Stratigraphy of the Permian Basin – Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico

• Analyze exposures of carbonate shelf and ramp to siliciclastic basinal systems in order to relate depositional facies to seismic scale geometries and sequence stratigraphy.
• Examine seismic scale outcrop geometries, document outcrop facies, and demonstrate similarities to productive intervals in the Permian Basin.
• Understand how subaerial exposure, marine diagenesis, and early near-surface dolomitization can affect ultimate reservoir porosity and permeability and overall reservoir geometry in subsurface.
• Assess changes in carbonate facies and relate these changes to depositional environments.
• Apply Walter’s Law and chronostratigraphic principles in core, well-log and seismic interpretation, and relate to prediction of play elements and best productive intervals for unconventional resources.
• Analyze sequence stratigraphy for carbonates and mixed carbonate-clastic depositional systems.
• Interpret carbonate sequence stratigraphic patterns from outcrop, well log, and seismic data.

The schedule below is just a sample as the exact order of locations and outcrops visited are subject to change due to changing weather, tides and sunlight hours.

Day 1 – Sunday
Arrive in El Paso, Texas. Meet and greet session at the hotel conference at 4:00 PM. Discussion of safety procedures and basics of Sequence Stratigraphy.
Lectures:
Exercises:

Day 2 – Monday
Class begins at 8:00 AM – Meet at conference room to discuss about safety procedures for the day and discussion about Permian Basin. Leave for Carlsbad at 10:00 AM from El Paso. First stop at Salt Flat Graben to provide overview of Guadalupe Mountains. Lunch at El Capitan followed by a sequence stratigraphy exercise. Arrive no later than 6:00 PM in Carlsbad.
Lectures:
Exercises:

Day 3 – Tuesday
Class begins at 8:00 AM – Meet at conference room to discuss safety procedures for the day. Leave for McKittrick Canyon by 8:15 AM. Lunch at the park. Leave the park by 2:00 PM to arrive at the hotel in Carlsbad. Meet at the conference room at 4 PM for lectures and exercises on seismic stratigraphy.
Lectures:
Exercises:

Day 4 – Wednesday
Class begins at 8:00 AM – Meet at conference room to discuss about safety procedures for the day and discussion. Stop at the Walnut Canyon for an overview of the Permian reef builders and main depositional facies of the platform. Meet at the conference room at 4 PM for lectures and exercises on stratigraphic hierarchy.
Lectures:
Exercises:

Day 5 – Thursday
Class begins at 8:00 AM – Meet at conference room to discuss safety procedures for the day and discussion of field visit. Outcrop and a sequence stratigraphy exercise at Last Chance Canyon. Arrive at the hotel at 4:00 PM to discuss the Guadalupe Mountains impact for unconventional resources.
Lectures:
Exercises:

Day 6 – Friday
Check out from the hotel ready to leave by 8:30 AM. Leave for Slaughter Canyon. Sequence Stratigraphy exercise, and a core-log correlation exercise. Arrive at West Face – to conclude the field course with a sequence stratigraphy exercise of the Guadalupe Mountains. A reservoir engineer will accompany the group to provide enhanced insights between outcrop-scale depositional facies and production performance. Leave for El Paso by 1:00 PM