Basin Tectonics and Subsurface Resources

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_1298

Course Objective

The first learning objective of the course is to develop skills to analyse and review the tectonic evolution and infill of sedimentary basins. The second learning objective is using and evaluating this information as boundary conditions for the exploration and development of subsurface resources and storage, including geothermal energy, water, heat storage and carbon capture storage. At the end of this course, the student will have a good impression on the technical and societal impact of the exploration and production of geo-resources. To achieve this objective, the course involves training in:
- Integrating different data sets and techniques to understand the tectonic and sedimentary processes controlling the evolution of sedimentary basins.
- Formulating hypotheses, and critically evaluating sedimentary basin data to test them.
- Combining class material and independent, critical reading of literature.
- Working in small interdisciplinary groups.
- Communicating effectively in oral and written form.

Course Content

This course consists of two parts: Part I: Basin tectonics Part II: Subsurface resources Part I: The main topics addressed in this part of the course are:
- The tectonic processes that guide the structural-stratigraphic evolution of sedimentary basins
- The structural and sedimentary characteristics of sedimentary basins in different tectonic settings: compressional, extensional and strike-slip This part of the course starts with lectures and in-class exercises on the different types of basins in different tectonic settings. After two weeks, this theory will be tested with an exam. This is followed by a case study using a modelling program and well-data to investigate the subsidence of a basin in the Alps. Lastly, the sedimentary infill of Dutch basins and how they can potentially be used during the Energy Transition, will be discussed during a workshop using cores from the Dutch offshore. The students will learn about the tectonic processes that lead to basin formation in an interactive way, including lectures, practical exercises done in class and a computer and/or core practical. Societal relevance of Dutch basins for the Energy Transition in the Netherlands will be explored from different angles. Part II: The subsurface resourcing part contains a series of lectures that prepares for activities in the Dutch subsurface (geothermal, CO2 sequestration, hydrocarbon exploration and production). Many examples of successful techniques, originally developed for the oil and gas industry, need also to be applied elsewhere to achieve safe and accurate operations involving the subsurface. During this part of the course a number of issues, technical and otherwise, that impact subsurface resourcing are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the need to study subsurface from the regional to the local scale and to integrate data and concepts from many different disciplines. The main objective of the course is to teach students to appreciate the overall application of basin studies to the evaluation of subsurface resources with a strong link between basin tectonics and stratigraphy at all scales, and the importance of taking an integrated view through the appreciation on both technical and geological challenges in the sub-surface. The course starts with a general introduction to the general usage of the subsurface and expected future energy supply and demand scenarios. Different geological settings with rich subsurface resources will be discussed, including deltaic settings, rift basins, epeiric platform areas, carbonate reef settings, deep-water fold belts, etc. Specific examples from these settings will be presented from key provinces around the globe: Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Southern Atlantic, North Sea, etc. Second, the lectures will evolve around technical challenges for various subsurface actives, including salt storage, carbon storage, geothermal energy and heat storage. Throughout the lecture series, the students will work in small teams on a 3-week case study to perform a risk-assessment to real-life cases of subsurface exploration activity in the Dutch subsurface.

Teaching Methods

Part I:Lectures with practical exercises that complement the theoryComputer practical and/or core practicalGuest lecturesReading and writing. Part II:Guest lectures from industry expertsCase study activity: risk assessment of the Dutch subsurface Practical examples worked by students.

Method of Assessment

Part I:Final written exam: 25%Report based on computer and/or core practicals: 25%Presence at the core practical: pass/fail Part II: Case study report 30%Case study presentation 20% Note that:A minimum grade of 5.5/10 for both parts is required to pass.An average final grade of 5.5 is required to pass

Literature

Part I: Main books covering the course content: Allen, P.A. and Allen, J.R. (2004). Basin Analysis. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-470-67376-847 Allen, P.A. (2017) Sediment Routing Systems. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9781107091993 A reading list of published papers will also be provided. Part II: Powerpoint presentation material is posted on Canvas.

Additional Information

Part I: This course focuses on the tectonic formation and evolution of sedimentary basins and their stratigraphic infill. By the end of this course, students should be able to reconstruct the tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins from various types of data including well-data, seismic data and field data. The societal aspect of the usage of the Dutch subsurface for resources during the Energy transition will be covered by guest lectures and workshops. This part of the course is taught by Anouk Beniest. Part II: This part of the course is followed jointly by MSc Earth Science students from Utrecht University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Students are taken on a rollercoaster of integrated geologic concepts and swept in a short time from place to place across the globe to look at regional geology from an explorers' perspective. Mental alertness and the flexibility to follow these rapid changes are therefore essential to gaining maximum benefit.

Explanation Canvas

Part I and Part II:all lectures and practical material will be made available through Canvas