BALANCED CROSS SECTIONS IN COMPRESSIONAL

AND EXTENSIONAL TERRANES

Instructor: Dr. Shankar Mitra
Monnett Chair and Professor of Energy Resources, School of Geology and Geophysics,
University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

24 28 June 2013
Hotel Sintesa Peninsula, Manado

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Exploration and Production Geologists and Geophysicists. The course is designed for
geoscientists working in complex structural provinces (extensional and compressional), who
need to apply balanced cross sections, reconstructions , and 3-D balanced models, to improve
interpretations for prospect evaluation and field development.
OBJECTIVES
The course discusses the use of balanced cross sections to improve interpretations of regional
and field or prospect-scale structures in complex compressional and extensional provinces.
Methods of balancing including construction methods, restoration, kinematic reconstruction, and
forward modeling are discussed in detail, with applications to subsurface structures. Common
pitfalls in structural interpretation for different types of structures are also discussed. The use of
3-D interpretations based on serial sections and the application to interpretation of major fields is
presented. Problem sets provide hands on experience in the construction and restoration of
balanced sections and the validation of subsurface interpretations using surface, seismic, and
well data.
COURSE CONTENT
1
INTRODUCTION
Definition and Importance of Balanced Cross Sections in Structural and Seismic
Interpretations .
Examples of balanced and unbalanced sections and key pitfalls in structural
interpretation.
Basic methods of balancing: Construction using balanced models, Restoration, Kinematic
Reconstruction and Forward Modeling, 3-D Interpretation and Modeling.
2

FOLD-THRUST BELTS
Balanced structural models of common fold-thrust structures including foldaccommodation faults, detachment and faulted detachment folds, fault-propagation folds,
fault-bend folds, duplexes, fold-thrust systems and growth-structures.

Examples of trap-forming structures from the Alberta Foothills, the Utah-Wyoming belt,
SubAndean fold belts, Campeche Bay, Mexico, and the Dinaride, Carpathian, Zagros and
Papua-New Guinea fold belts, and various Deepwater fold-thrust Belts.
BASEMENT-INVOLVED AND INVERSION STRUCTURES
Structural models of basement involved structures (Trishear), and inversion structures.
Examples of trap-forming structures from compressional basement structures and
inversion structures, including foreland basins, the Southern Gas Basin, the Taranaki
Basin, and Indonesian Basins.
RIFT STRUCTURES
Structural models of rift structures including graben, half-graben, rotational tilt blocks,
and drape folds
Map-scale balancing in divergent, convergent, and synthetic transfer zones.
Examples of interpretations from rift settings including the North Sea, Gulf of Suez, and
Sirte basin.
LISTRIC GROWTH FAULTS
Balanced models of listric growth faults and rollover folds; use of inclined shear in
modeling.
Examples of balanced interpretations from passive margins including Gulf of Mexico
and Niger Delta

RESTORATION, KINEMATIC RECONSTRUCTION, AND FORWARD

MODELING
Basic Principles of Cross Section Restoration
Line-Length Restoration
Area Restoration
Multiple Interpretations and Choice of Solutions
Restoring and Balancing Salt in Extensional Structures
Application to Compressional and Extensional Structures
Kinematic Reconstructions
Forward Modeling

THREE-DIMENSIONAL BALANCED INTERPRETATIONS APPLICATION

TO MAJOR FIELDS
Basic Methods of Balanced 3-D Interpretations
Application of 3-D Modeling to Major Fields
Rhourde-el Baguel Field, Algeria
Painter and East Painter Fields, Wyoming
Cantarell and Kumaza Fields, Mexico
Ek Balam Field , Mexico

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Shankar Mitra holds the Monnett Chair and Professorship of Energy Resources at the University
of Oklahoma, where he has been since 1999. He has over 35 years of industry and academic
experience in the application of structural geology to petroleum exploration and production. He
spent 19 years in various research and exploration positions at Atlantic Richfield Company
(ARCO), including Senior and Principal Research Geologist, Director of Structural Geology,
Manager of Geological Research, Exploration Director (Europe), and Senior Exploration
Research Advisor.
He received his Ph.D. degree in Structural Geology from Johns Hopkins University in 1976.
Prior to that, he received B.Sc. (Hons.), and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Calcutta, and
an M.A. degree from Johns Hopkins University. His primary interests are in the development of
structural concepts and methods and their application to exploration and production problems.
He has published over 35 professional papers and delivered numerous presentations at national
and international meetings, primarily in the areas of structural concepts and methods. He has also
co-edited a book on Structural Geology of Fold-Thrust Belts. He was an Associate Editor of
the A.A.P.G. Bulletin for 9 years. He is a two-time recipient of A.A.P.G.s Wallace Pratt Best
Paper award and also the Cam Sproule Best Paper award.
He conducts an active consulting and teaching program for international oil and gas companies.
He has offered his industry courses in a variety of international locations including the U.S.A.
and Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Columbia, Peru, Middle East (Doha, Dubai, Qatar),
India, and Australia.
ENROLLMENT
In order to allow sufficient time for arranging travel plans, early enrollment is recommended.
Registration will be closed on May 14, 2013. Late enrollment may result in course cancellation.
CANCELLATION, SUBSTITUTION & REFUND
The tuition fee will be refunded (less US$ 100 registration fee) only if notification of
cancellation is received at least 10 days prior to the commencement.
Non payment of tuition fee does not constitute automatic cancellation of participation.
Substitution may be made at any time for those enrolled.
CERTIFICATE
A certificate of participation will be awarded to each person completing the course
TUITION FEE
Tuition fee at USD 4,250.00 + 10% VAT per delegate is due and payable upon confirmation of
enrollment. The fee is excluded accommodation. Payment should be settled at the latest on May
14, 2013. Any bank charges in connection with payment in US Dollars must be added to
payment. Tuition fee includes admittance to the course, course materials, daily refreshments and
full lunch.
Payment can be made to PT. Geoservices
Bank Central Asia

Chase Plaza Lt. 1

Jl. Jend. Sudirman - Jakarta
Account No: 035.3070.964 (US$)