An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Applied Contouring Methods Workshop
Contouring Methods and Hands-On Practice
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Duration
5 Days
Price
$ 3,000
Starting From
04 Oct 2027
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Applied Contouring Methods Workshop
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Applied Contouring Methods Workshop - GG-CONT-PEA27
| Code | Date | Time | Duration | Location | Currency | Early Bird Fee Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-CONT-PEA27 | 04 - 08 Oct 2027 | 10 AM CST | 4 Hours Per Day |
Online |
USD |
3000 |
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Applied Contouring Methods Workshop
This workshop covers contouring methods in practice. It works through contour fundamentals and rules, mechanical contouring methods, parallel and equal spaced contouring, interpretive contouring, contouring across faults, contour interval and scale selection, gridding algorithms and their behaviour, comparing hand and machine contours, artefact recognition and the quality control of contoured surfaces.
Description
Contouring is the operation that converts a set of values at points into a continuous surface, and the way it is done determines what the surface says about the geology between the points. Several distinct methods exist, they give different answers from the same data, and each embeds a different assumption about the behaviour of the surface. Choosing between them deliberately, rather than accepting whatever an algorithm produces, is the subject of this workshop.
The workshop covers the methods explicitly. Contour fundamentals and rules are established first. Mechanical contouring methods follow, covering linear interpolation and the triangulation it implies. Parallel and equal spaced contouring are then developed, covering their assumptions about gradient. Interpretive contouring follows, covering the incorporation of a geological model. Contouring across faults is then addressed, since fault handling is where most contour errors occur. Contour interval and scale selection follow. Gridding algorithms and their behaviour are then developed, covering the main algorithm families and the characteristic surfaces each produces. Comparing hand and machine contours follows. Artefact recognition is addressed. The workshop closes with quality control.
Hand contouring teaches what gridding conceals. Drawing contours by hand through a set of well values requires deciding, at every point, how the surface behaves between the data, and that decision is made with reference to the structural or depositional model. The exercise is slow and it produces a map that encodes geological reasoning. Once a geoscientist has done it, the output of a gridding algorithm is read differently, because its assumptions are visible.
Different methods give measurably different volumes. Contouring the same structural data by linear interpolation, by equal spacing and by an interpretive method guided by a structural model produces three surfaces, and the gross rock volume above a given contact can differ by tens of per cent between them. This is not a small refinement. In a low relief structure the difference between a method that extrapolates a constant gradient and one that flattens the crest can determine whether a prospect is commercial.
Faults are where contouring goes wrong most often. At a normal fault the horizon is offset, so contours terminate against the fault trace on both sides with a gap or an overlap whose width depends on the throw and the fault dip. Mapped incorrectly, contours continue across the fault, or the gap is the wrong width, or the throw implied by the map is inconsistent with the throw seen in the wells. Each of these produces a structural map that is internally inconsistent, and checking the fault relationships is a specific quality control step.
Finally, every gridding algorithm has a characteristic signature. Minimum curvature produces smooth surfaces that can overshoot beyond the data range; inverse distance produces bullseyes around isolated points; triangulation produces faceted surfaces with angular contours; kriging smooths according to the variogram supplied. Recognising which algorithm produced a surface from its appearance, and knowing which behaviour each will impose, is what allows the algorithm to be chosen for the data rather than accepted as a default.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Apply contour fundamentals and rules
- Contour data by hand using mechanical methods
- Apply parallel and equal spaced contouring and state their assumptions
- Contour interpretively using a geological model
- Contour correctly across faults including gaps and overlaps
- Select contour interval and scale from data density and purpose
- Describe the behaviour of the main gridding algorithm families
- Select gridding algorithms appropriate to the data
- Compare hand and machine contours and account for differences
- Recognise artefacts and quality control contoured surfaces
The workshop is contouring practice throughout, by hand and by machine on the same data sets. Participants contour by several methods and calculate the volume consequences. Fault contouring is practised against known throw data. Surfaces produced by different algorithms are compared and their signatures identified. Contoured surfaces are checked against additional wells withheld from the exercise.
Organisations sending participants to this workshop will:
- Select contouring methods deliberately
- Quantify the volume consequence of method choice
- Contour faults correctly and consistently
- Recognise gridding artefacts before mapping them
- Match contour detail to data density
- Improve the reliability of mapped surfaces
Participants will:
- Contour competently by hand
- Apply interpretive contouring
- Handle faults correctly
- Select gridding algorithms knowingly
- Recognise algorithm artefacts
- Quality control contoured surfaces
- Geoscientists producing mapped surfaces
- Development and production geologists
- Exploration geologists mapping prospects
- Reservoir modellers building surfaces
- Petrophysicists mapping properties
- Graduate geoscientists learning mapping
- Technical staff reviewing mapped surfaces
Module 1 - Contour Fundamentals
- Contour definition and meaning
- Contour interval and datum
- Contour rules and their basis
- Contours cannot cross or branch
- Closure and map edge behaviour
- Reading gradient from spacing
- Depression and closure symbols
- Index and intermediate contours
- Labelling and annotation conventions
- Contour map legends
- Hachures and their use
- Reading a contour map
Module 2 - Mechanical Contouring
- Linear interpolation between points
- Triangulation and its implied surface
- Triangle selection and Delaunay criterion
- Interpolating contour crossings
- Connecting crossings into contours
- Faceted surface character
- Angular contour appearance
- Honouring data exactly
- Behaviour with clustered data
- Behaviour at the data edge
- When mechanical contouring is appropriate
- Mechanical contouring exercises
Module 3 - Parallel and Equal Spaced
- Equal spaced contouring method
- Constant gradient assumption
- Extrapolation beyond the data
- Crest and trough behaviour
- Parallel contouring method
- Maintaining contour shape
- Structural style implied by each
- Volume consequences of each
- Low relief structure sensitivity
- Combining methods in one map
- When each is appropriate
- Practical exercises
Module 4 - Interpretive Contouring
- Interpretive method principles
- Geological model as the guide
- Structural style and contour shape
- Fold geometry expression
- Depositional geometry in thickness maps
- Trend direction imposition
- Analogue guided contouring
- Honouring data within the model
- Where model and data conflict
- Documenting the model used
- Defending an interpretive map
- Interpretive contouring exercises
Module 5 - Contouring Across Faults
- Horizon offset at faults
- Fault trace mapping
- Contour termination at the fault
- Fault gap and its width
- Fault overlap in reverse faults
- Gap width from throw and dip
- Heave and throw relationships
- Consistency with well throw data
- Fault polygon construction
- Multiple intersecting faults
- Contouring in fault blocks
- Checking fault consistency
Module 6 - Interval and Scale
- Contour interval selection criteria
- Data density and supportable interval
- Structural relief and interval
- Map scale selection
- Scale and interval consistency
- Variable interval maps
- Supplementary contours
- Detail beyond data support
- Regional against detailed mapping
- Interval for thickness maps
- Interval for property maps
- Presentation considerations
Module 7 - Gridding Algorithms
- Gridding workflow and parameters
- Grid node spacing selection
- Inverse distance weighting behaviour
- Bullseye artefacts
- Minimum curvature behaviour
- Overshoot beyond data range
- Triangulation based gridding
- Kriging based gridding
- Variogram effects on the surface
- Search radius and neighbourhood
- Smoothing and iteration parameters
- Algorithm selection by data distribution
Module 8 - Comparison, Artefacts and Quality Control
- Hand against machine contour comparison
- Where they differ and why
- Volume differences between methods
- Artefact types and recognition
- Artefacts aligned with data distribution
- Edge and extrapolation artefacts
- Overshoot and undershoot
- Residual checking at data points
- Cross section checking
- Blind well testing
- Quality control checklist
- When to recontour rather than regrid
Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.
Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
All course bookings made through PEA are strictly non-refundable. By registering for a course, you acknowledge and accept that all fees are payable in full and are not subject to refund under any circumstances, including changes in personal or professional commitments or partial attendance.
PEA reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to course content, trainers, or schedules where necessary, without entitling delegates to a refund. Comprehensive details of each course — including objectives, target audience, and content — are clearly outlined before enrolment, and it is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure the course's suitability prior to booking.
For any inquiries related to cancellations or bookings, please contact our support team, who will be happy to assist you.
