An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate
Stratigraphic Framework of the Arabian Plate
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Duration
5 Days
Price
$ 3,500
Starting From
27 Dec 2027
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Stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate
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Stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate - GG-ARAB-PEA27
| Code | Date | Time | Duration | Location | Currency | Early Bird Fee Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-ARAB-PEA27 | 27 - 31 Dec 2027 | 10 AM CST | 4 Hours Per Day |
Online |
USD |
3500 |
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Stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate
This training covers the stratigraphy of the Arabian Plate. It works through the tectonostratigraphic framework and megasequences, the Infracambrian and Palaeozoic succession, the Hercynian unconformity, the Permo-Triassic succession, the Jurassic and Cretaceous platform, the Late Cretaceous obduction related succession, the Tertiary succession, regional nomenclature and its correlation, sequence stratigraphic frameworks and the application of regional stratigraphy to exploration and development.
Description
The Arabian Plate preserves one of the most complete and best documented sedimentary successions anywhere, spanning the Infracambrian to the present. It is also one of the most confusing to learn, because every country and every operator has its own formation names for the same intervals, and the correlation between them is not always obvious. Learning the framework once, with the equivalences understood, is of permanent value to anyone working in the region.
This training provides that framework. The tectonostratigraphic framework and megasequences are established first, using the Arabian Plate megasequence scheme that ties the stratigraphy to the tectonic events. The Infracambrian and Palaeozoic succession follows, covering the Hormuz salt basins through to the Carboniferous. The Hercynian unconformity is then developed, since it controls the Palaeozoic play distribution. The Permo-Triassic succession follows. The Jurassic and Cretaceous platform is then addressed in detail, as the interval containing most of the region's petroleum. The Late Cretaceous obduction related succession follows. The Tertiary succession is then developed. Regional nomenclature and its correlation are addressed throughout. The training closes with application.
The megasequence framework ties the stratigraphy to the tectonics and makes it learnable. The Arabian Plate succession divides into a series of tectonostratigraphic megasequences, each bounded by a plate-scale event: the Infracambrian Hormuz phase, the Palaeozoic passive margin phase ended by Hercynian uplift, the Permo-Triassic Neo-Tethyan rifting, the Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous platform, the Late Cretaceous obduction phase and the Cenozoic collision. Each megasequence has its own characteristic facies, reservoirs and seals, which is why the framework is more useful than a list of formations.
The Hercynian unconformity governs the Palaeozoic plays. Late Carboniferous uplift and erosion removed variable amounts of the Palaeozoic section across the plate, in places cutting down to the Cambrian and in others preserving a nearly complete succession. The amount removed determines whether the Silurian source rock is still present, whether the Devonian and Ordovician reservoirs survive, and what the Permian rests on. Mapping the subcrop beneath the unconformity is therefore the first step in any Palaeozoic play assessment.
The Jurassic to Cretaceous intrashelf basins are where the petroleum system came together. Through this interval the platform repeatedly developed restricted depressions in which organic-rich carbonate mudstones accumulated, surrounded by shallow water carbonate and clastic reservoirs and sealed by evaporites deposited during restriction. The Hanifa, Tuwaiq Mountain, Shilaif and Natih source rocks, the Arab, Thamama and Wasia reservoirs and the Hith and intraformational anhydrites all belong to this interval.
Finally, the nomenclature problem is real and the equivalences have to be learned. The same interval is the Arab Formation in Saudi Arabia and the Asab and equivalents in Abu Dhabi; the Shuaiba is also the Kharaib and parts of the Thamama; the Natih of Oman correlates with the Wasia and Mishrif elsewhere. Working across borders, reading the regional literature or using analogue data requires knowing these equivalences, and a correlation chart that covers the main producing countries is one of the most useful things a regional geoscientist can carry.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Apply the Arabian Plate tectonostratigraphic megasequence framework
- Describe the Infracambrian and Palaeozoic succession
- Map the Hercynian unconformity and its subcrop
- Describe the Permo-Triassic succession and its plays
- Describe the Jurassic and Cretaceous platform succession in detail
- Explain the intrashelf basin source rock and seal systems
- Describe the Late Cretaceous obduction related succession
- Describe the Tertiary succession and its plays
- Correlate formation nomenclature between countries
- Apply regional stratigraphy to exploration and development work
The training works through regional correlation charts, well sections and outcrop examples. Participants build correlation panels across country boundaries, map subcrop beneath the Hercynian unconformity, and place field scale stratigraphy within the regional framework. A working correlation chart is assembled during the course as the main deliverable.
Organisations sending participants to this training will:
- Work with a consistent regional stratigraphic framework
- Correlate across country and operator nomenclature
- Assess Palaeozoic plays using subcrop mapping
- Place field scale work in its regional context
- Improve the geological induction of staff new to the region
- Use regional analogue data correctly
Participants will:
- Know the Arabian Plate succession and its framework
- Relate stratigraphy to tectonic events
- Correlate between regional nomenclatures
- Map the Hercynian subcrop
- Understand the intrashelf basin systems
- Work with regional stratigraphic confidence
- Geoscientists working in or entering the Middle East
- Stratigraphers and sedimentologists in the region
- Exploration geoscientists assessing regional plays
- Development geologists correlating regional reservoirs
- Operations geologists working regional wells
- Graduate geoscientists in regional operating companies
- Technical staff using regional analogue data
Module 1 - Tectonostratigraphic Framework
- Arabian Plate setting and boundaries
- Precambrian basement provinces
- Megasequence concept and its value
- Megasequence boundaries and their causes
- Infracambrian megasequence
- Palaeozoic passive margin megasequences
- Permo-Triassic rifting megasequence
- Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous platform megasequence
- Late Cretaceous obduction megasequence
- Cenozoic collision megasequences
- Megasequence facies and petroleum elements
- Using the framework in practice
Module 2 - Infracambrian and Early Palaeozoic
- Pan-African basement and the Najd system
- Infracambrian basin formation
- Hormuz salt and its equivalents
- Ara Group of Oman and its carbonate stringers
- Huqf Supergroup
- Cambrian clastics: Siq and Saq
- Cambro-Ordovician reservoir intervals
- Ordovician succession
- Late Ordovician glaciation
- Glacial deposits and their reservoirs
- Silurian post-glacial transgression
- Qusaiba hot shale deposition
Module 3 - Late Palaeozoic and the Hercynian
- Silurian to Devonian succession
- Jauf and Jubah formations
- Devonian reservoirs
- Carboniferous succession
- Hercynian tectonism and uplift
- Unconformity development and extent
- Variable truncation across the plate
- Subcrop mapping beneath the unconformity
- Consequences for Silurian source preservation
- Consequences for reservoir preservation
- Post-Hercynian Unayzah deposition
- Palaeozoic play distribution
Module 4 - Permo-Triassic
- Neo-Tethyan rifting
- Permian Unayzah and Haushi clastics
- Khuff transgression
- Khuff carbonate cycles
- Khuff reservoir and seal units
- Permo-Triassic boundary
- Sudair Shale
- Jilh Formation
- Minjur Formation
- Triassic equivalents in Oman and the UAE
- Triassic reservoirs and their quality
- Regional Permo-Triassic correlation
Module 5 - Jurassic Platform
- Early Jurassic Marrat Formation
- Dhruma Formation
- Tuwaiq Mountain Formation
- Hanifa Formation and intrashelf basins
- Jubaila Formation
- Arab Formation members A to D
- Arab anhydrite seals
- Hith Anhydrite
- Jurassic equivalents in the UAE and Oman
- Araej, Uwainat and Asab
- Jurassic source rock distribution
- Jurassic petroleum system summary
Module 6 - Cretaceous Platform
- Thamama Group and its members
- Sulaiy, Yamama and Buwaib
- Kharaib and Shuaiba formations
- Bab intrashelf basin
- Nahr Umr Shale
- Wasia Group
- Mauddud and Mishrif
- Shilaif intrashelf basin
- Natih Formation of Oman
- Burgan and Wara clastics
- Mid-Cretaceous unconformity
- Cretaceous correlation across the region
Module 7 - Late Cretaceous and Tertiary
- Late Cretaceous obduction
- Semail ophiolite emplacement
- Hawasina and Aruma Group
- Fiqa and Shargi shales
- Foreland basin development
- Palaeogene Umm er Radhuma and Dammam
- Rus evaporites
- Asmari Formation of Iran
- Pabdeh and Gurpi shales
- Fars Group and the Gachsaran
- Zagros foreland Neogene succession
- Tertiary reservoirs and seals
Module 8 - Nomenclature, Sequences and Application
- Nomenclature problems across the region
- Saudi, UAE, Oman, Iraq and Iran schemes
- Building a correlation chart
- Formation equivalences
- Sequence stratigraphic frameworks
- Maximum flooding surfaces as datums
- Regional sequence schemes
- Biostratigraphic control
- Chemostratigraphic correlation
- Applying the framework in exploration
- Applying the framework in development
- Regional literature and data sources
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.
