An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Gas Geochemistry & Gas Origin Interpretation
Determining Where the Gas Originated
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Duration
5 Days
Price
$ 3,500
Starting From
08 Nov 2027
Home Geology and Geoscience Gas Geochemistry & Gas Origin Interpretation
Gas Geochemistry & Gas Origin Interpretation
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Gas Geochemistry & Gas Origin Interpretation - GG-GASG-PEA27
| Code | Date | Time | Duration | Location | Currency | Early Bird Fee Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-GASG-PEA27 | 08 - 12 Nov 2027 | 10 AM CST | 4 Hours Per Day |
Online |
USD |
3500 |
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Gas Geochemistry & Gas Origin Interpretation
This training covers gas geochemistry and the interpretation of gas origin. It works through gas composition and its measurement, biogenic and thermogenic gas discrimination, carbon and hydrogen isotopes, gas maturity and source assessment, secondary cracking and isotope reversal, mixing of gas sources, non-hydrocarbon gases and their origins, gas in unconventional settings, and the application of gas geochemistry to exploration and development.
Description
Gas carries less compositional information than oil and more isotopic information, and interpreting it correctly answers questions that matter commercially. Whether a gas is biogenic or thermogenic determines the play model. Its maturity indicates which source and which kitchen. Its isotopic signature fingerprints it for correlation between accumulations. Its non-hydrocarbon content, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, determines processing requirements and sometimes commerciality. All of this comes from a small sample and a well specified analysis.
This training develops gas interpretation from measurement to application. Composition is established first, covering the molecular range measured, wetness and dryness, the controls on composition and the sampling requirements that preserve it. Biogenic and thermogenic discrimination follows, covering the generation processes, the compositional and isotopic signatures of each, and the mixed cases that are common in practice. Isotopes are then developed in detail: carbon isotopes of methane through butane, hydrogen isotopes, their measurement, and the standard interpretation diagrams. Maturity and source assessment follow, covering the relationship between isotopic composition and source maturity, and the identification of the generating source rock. Secondary processes are then addressed: oil to gas cracking, isotope reversal at high maturity, migration fractionation, biodegradation of gas and its isotopic effects. Mixing is treated as its own subject. Non-hydrocarbon gases follow, covering carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide and helium and their origins. The training closes with applications in exploration, unconventional settings and development.
Biogenic and thermogenic gas imply entirely different plays. Biogenic methane is generated by microbial activity at low temperature in shallow, young sediments, requires no mature source rock and no deep kitchen, and is typically dry and isotopically light. Thermogenic gas requires a mature source and a thermal history that produced it. Identifying which a discovery contains determines whether the play is shallow and local or deep and regional, and the compositional and isotopic discrimination is usually clear.
Isotope reversal signals very high maturity and it confuses standard interpretation. Normally the carbon isotopic composition becomes progressively heavier from methane through ethane to propane. At very high maturity, in the dry gas window and particularly in unconventional settings, this order reverses, with ethane becoming isotopically lighter than methane. A reversed pattern interpreted with the standard diagrams gives a nonsensical maturity, and recognising reversal as a maturity indicator in its own right is necessary in overmature plays.
Mixed gases are common and the mixing can be read. An accumulation charged by two sources, or by a thermogenic gas that has subsequently received biogenic methane, shows intermediate compositions and isotopic values that fall between the end members. Plotting multiple samples and identifying mixing trends distinguishes a mixture from a single gas of intermediate maturity, which are different situations with different implications for the kitchen and the migration path.
Finally, non-hydrocarbon content can decide a development. Carbon dioxide from carbonate decomposition, magmatic sources or thermal maturation can reach levels that make a gas uneconomic to process. Nitrogen dilutes the heating value. Hydrogen sulphide from thermochemical sulphate reduction near evaporites requires sour service design throughout. Each has a geological origin that can be predicted from the setting, and predicting it before drilling affects both the volume assessment and the facility concept.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Specify gas sampling and analysis and assess sample quality
- Interpret gas molecular composition and wetness
- Discriminate biogenic from thermogenic gas
- Interpret carbon and hydrogen isotope data using standard diagrams
- Assess gas maturity and identify the generating source
- Recognise isotope reversal and interpret it correctly
- Identify and interpret mixing between gas sources
- Assess secondary processes including cracking and biodegradation
- Predict non-hydrocarbon gas content and its origin
- Apply gas geochemistry in exploration, unconventional and development settings
The training works on real gas composition and isotope data sets from a range of settings. Participants plot and interpret the data using the standard diagrams, determine origin and maturity, and identify mixing and secondary processes. Overmature and reversed data sets are included. Non-hydrocarbon rich gases are interpreted for origin and the development implications assessed. Interpretations are compared against the independently known source and thermal history of each basin.
Organisations sending participants to this training will:
- Determine gas origin correctly and refine play models
- Identify source kitchens from gas fingerprints
- Predict non-hydrocarbon content and its development consequences
- Interpret overmature and reversed gas data correctly
- Apply gas geochemistry in unconventional evaluation
- Improve charge assessment in gas prone basins
Participants will:
- Interpret gas composition and isotope data confidently
- Determine gas origin and maturity
- Recognise mixing and secondary processes
- Predict non-hydrocarbon content
- Apply gas data to exploration and development questions
- Specify gas sampling and analysis competently
- Geochemists and exploration geoscientists
- Basin modellers working in gas prone basins
- Unconventional resource geoscientists
- Reservoir engineers working on gas fields
- Operations geologists specifying gas sampling
- Facilities and process engineers assessing gas composition
- Technical staff evaluating gas discoveries
Module 1 - Gas Composition and Sampling
- Gas molecular composition range
- Methane through pentane and heavier
- Wetness and dryness definitions
- Controls on molecular composition
- Gas sampling methods
- Separator and wellhead sampling
- Downhole gas sampling
- Mud gas sampling for isotopes
- Sample containers and preservation
- Light end loss and fractionation
- Analytical methods and precision
- Specifying a gas analysis programme
Module 2 - Biogenic and Thermogenic Gas
- Biogenic gas generation processes
- Methanogenesis pathways
- Conditions required for biogenic generation
- Biogenic gas composition and dryness
- Biogenic gas isotopic signature
- Secondary biogenic gas from biodegradation
- Thermogenic gas generation
- Primary and secondary thermogenic gas
- Compositional discrimination
- Isotopic discrimination
- Mixed biogenic and thermogenic gas
- Play implications of each
Module 3 - Carbon and Hydrogen Isotopes
- Stable isotope notation and standards
- Carbon isotope measurement
- Methane carbon isotopes
- Ethane, propane and butane isotopes
- Hydrogen isotope measurement and use
- Natural gas plot and its interpretation
- Bernard diagram and its application
- Isotope against molecular composition plots
- Source type indication from isotopes
- Depositional environment indication
- Analytical precision and its significance
- Reading an isotope report
Module 4 - Maturity and Source Assessment
- Isotopic composition and source maturity
- Maturity estimation from methane isotopes
- Maturity from ethane and propane isotopes
- Calibration against vitrinite reflectance
- Source rock type from isotopic signature
- Marine against terrestrial source indication
- Identifying the generating kitchen
- Correlating gas to source rock
- Correlating gas between accumulations
- Gas fingerprinting for correlation
- Uncertainty in maturity estimation
Module 5 - Secondary Processes
- Oil to gas cracking
- Cracking gas composition and isotopes
- Pyrobitumen association
- Isotope reversal at high maturity
- Recognising and interpreting reversal
- Rollover and partial reversal
- Migration fractionation effects
- Diffusive fractionation
- Gas biodegradation and its signature
- Carbon dioxide reduction to methane
- Water washing effects on gas
- Distinguishing primary from secondary signatures
Module 6 - Mixing
- Mixing between gas sources
- Two component mixing trends
- Recognising mixing on isotope plots
- Distinguishing mixing from single source variation
- End member identification
- Mixing proportion estimation
- Biogenic and thermogenic mixing
- Multiple thermogenic source mixing
- Mixing during migration
- Mixing within an accumulation
- Implications for kitchen and pathway identification
Module 7 - Non-Hydrocarbon Gases
- Carbon dioxide sources and origins
- Magmatic, metamorphic and organic carbon dioxide
- Carbon dioxide isotopes and origin discrimination
- Predicting carbon dioxide content
- Nitrogen sources and origins
- Nitrogen isotopes and interpretation
- Hydrogen sulphide origins
- Thermochemical sulphate reduction
- Bacterial sulphate reduction
- Predicting souring risk
- Helium and its sources
- Commercial and processing implications
Module 8 - Applications
- Gas origin in play assessment
- Charge assessment in gas prone basins
- Kitchen identification from gas data
- Gas geochemistry in unconventional evaluation
- Maturity windows in shale gas plays
- Production fingerprinting with gas
- Allocation using gas composition
- Monitoring gas composition changes in production
- Gas data in carbon storage monitoring
- Seepage and surface gas interpretation
- Specifying programmes for each application
- Case studies of gas geochemistry in decisions
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.
