Fall 2008 - SEPM

Applied Biostratigraphy
University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
In response to numerous requests to revive
an introductory biostratigraphy course, we
are presenting this course at the University
of Houston. If this is successful, we will
promote additional courses including courses
for specialists. As we develop these courses, we intend
to pull in additional instructors that have the expertise
to deliver an extensive applied biostratigraphy program.
Audience: Geoscientists and engineers that use
biostratigraphic data.
Current Proposed Dates: November 3th-4th, 2008 and
June 2nd-3rd, 2009.
Cost: $800 per student.
Number of Students: Min 10/Max 25.
Where: Science and Research Building 1, University
of Houston, Main Campus.
Instructors: Don Van Nieuwenhuise (University of
Houston) and industry specialists (contributing instructors:
Tony D’Agostino, Hess; Mike Styzen, Shell; and
others).
For further information: donvann@uh.edu or 713-
743-3423 or www.geosc.uh.edu
Course Summary:
This is a survey course on biostratigraphic data and its
application to petroleum exploration through development.
Prior to extensive development of a field, good
biostratigraphic data can have the best resolution available
to geoscientists in determining potential reservoir
limits. Emphasis is placed on biostratigraphic tools
that are commonly available to geoscientists. The
focus is on tools that aid in stratigraphic and
paleoenvironmental interpretation for better stratigraphic
control and reservoir characterization.
List of topics:
Day 1
• Biostratigraphy and its applications in petroleum
exploration and appraisal.
• Examples of economic benefit.
• Brief survey of fossil types used in industry and
when and where to use each.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
• How are samples collected and processed?
• What types of datasets are generated and the value of
each type?
• Taxonomy and its importance to data quality and
resulting interpretation.
Day 2
• Water-depth indicators, water-chemistry, and climate
indicators.
• Water-depth examples from the Gulf of Mexico.
• Fossils in space and time.
• Biomarkers, event stratigraphy, zonal stratigraphy,
and quantitative stratigraphy.
• How these are used in correlation and stratigraphic
continuity problems.
• Application examples in the Gulf of Mexico, North
Sea and non-marine settings.
• Biosteering and prediction ahead of the bit (optional).
Mobil Foundation (cont.)
continued from page 2
through the AAPG website by the November 4, 2008
deadline. Students may have co-authors, but the
student must be the senior author and be the individual
who presents the poster.
We encourage all NAMS members to plan to participate
in the SEPM/AAPG meeting in Denver. In addition
to our place in the “Student Awards Poster
Session”, NAMS will co-sponsor the poster session
entitled: “Advances in Biostratigraphy &
Paleoenvironmental Analysis”. This will be a great
meeting for any micropaleontologist - and, for students,
it provides an unmatched opportunity to witness the
application of micropaleontology in the oil and gas
industry and to make contacts with potential industry
employers.
NAMS NEWS Fall 2008
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