GSTT Fault Seal Analysis 5-day Short Course
Lecturer: Dr Tim Needham (Needham Geoscience)
A workshop–style course for both exploration and development geologists, illustrated by practical
examples designed to explain the fundamental principles of the subject of fault seal analysis and its
application to hydrocarbon exploration. The course will consist of a series of classroom lectures with
practical exercises.
Course objectives
• To understand the mechanisms of fault seal and how readily available subsurface data can be used to
maximum effect in seal evaluation.
• To be able to assess the sealing behaviour of faults in exploration, appraisal and production settings.
• To understand the growth and linkage of fault systems in order to provide the most accurate structural
framework to use in seal analysis.
Course outcomes
Course participants should complete the course with a good appreciation of the above and be able to
assess:
• The work-flows required for successful seal analysis and be able to apply the necessary techniques.
• The data requirements for such studies.
• Have an appreciation of the uncertainties involved.
Course outline
The intention is that the course is classroom based, using a mixture of lecture and practical sessions
along with a discussion of software-based approaches for seal analysis. The course outline is as follows:
Day 1
 Introduction
o Setting the scene
o The importance of fault seals
o Recognising fault seals
 Fluid properties and their influence on seal capacity
o What data do we require?
o How should it be interpreted?
 Defining the structure 1
o Fault mapping and validation of interpretations
 Assessing fault growth and linkage in different tectonic settings and implications for fault seal
Day 2
 Defining the structure 2
 Relationship between seismic and sub-seismic scale deformation – the structure of fault zones
 Fault rocks
o Microstructures
o Permeability and capillary threshold pressure
o Controls on fault rock properties and seal capacity
Day 3
 Fault seal prediction 1
o Algorithms for predicting fault seal
o Mapping fault properties and assessing sealing behaviour
Day 4
 Fault seal prediction 2
o Calibration of fault seal estimates
o Dealing with uncertainty and risk
 Fault seal in other settings - carbonates and salt provinces
Day 5
 Reservoir modelling
o Incorporation of fault properties into reservoir models and simulators
o Limitations and uncertainties
 Integrated fault seal studies - work flows and examples
 Summary and concluding discussion
Dr. Tim Needham Biography
Dr. Tim Needham a structural geologist with wide experience in hydrocarbon exploration, appraisal and
production. His experience ranges from basin-wide evaluations, through field scale interpretations and analysis, to
faulted and fractured core studies. Prior to forming Needham Geoscience in late 2007, Tim worked with Rock
Deformation Research and was previously with BP Exploration, Badley Earth Sciences and Robertson Research,
performing structural studies in a wide range of tectonic settings. He has experience in many regions including NW
Europe, South America/Caribbean, the Middle East, North and West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico. Tim’s particular
fields of expertise are fault seal studies, the analysis of natural fracture systems using core and image logs, fault
analysis from seismic and regional structural studies. Tim has long been involved in training other geoscientists,
delivering training courses in structural geology, fault seal analysis and fractured reservoir description in the UK
and overseas. He also teaches Masters level Applied Structural Geology as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of
Leeds, UK.