Global Learning for Operational Leaders
Classroom
14 sessions
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Online / Live
14 sessions
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Introduction
Course overview
Many professionals in the oil and gas industry work closely with geologists without a geoscience background: engineers, commercial staff, finance professionals, lawyers and managers. Understanding the basic concepts of petroleum geology helps them communicate effectively and make better decisions.
This Aractech course explains how petroleum systems form, how hydrocarbons are generated, migrate and are trapped, how exploration is carried out, and how geologists and geophysicists describe reservoirs and estimate volumes. Technical concepts are presented in clear, non-mathematical language with many real examples.
Participants leave with the vocabulary and understanding needed to engage confidently with technical teams.
What you will achieve
Learning objectives
- Explain basic geological concepts and time scales
- Describe petroleum systems: source, reservoir, seal and trap
- Understand exploration methods including seismic
- Interpret basic maps and well logs
- Understand how volumes and risks are estimated
- Communicate effectively with geoscience teams
Who should attend
Target audience
- Engineers without geoscience background
- Commercial and business development staff
- Finance and legal professionals in oil and gas
- Managers and administrators
- Government officials
- New entrants to the industry
Methodology
Learning approach
- Non-technical explanations with visuals
- Map and log interpretation exercises
- Case studies of discoveries
- Group discussions
- Daily recap
Complete course outline
Five focused days of learning and application
The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.
Day 1
Basic Geology
- Earth structure and plate tectonics
- Rock types and the rock cycle
- Geological time
- Sedimentary environments
- Coffee break
- Sedimentary environments (continued)
- Structural geology basics
- Exercise: Identifying rock types
Day 2
Petroleum Systems
- Source rocks and generation
- Migration
- Reservoir rocks
- Seals and traps
- Coffee break
- Seals and traps (continued)
- Petroleum system elements
- Case study: A petroleum system
Day 3
Exploration Methods
- Exploration workflow
- Seismic acquisition and interpretation
- Gravity and magnetics
- Exploration wells
- Coffee break
- Exploration wells (continued)
- Risk and chance of success
- Exercise: Interpreting a seismic section
Day 4
Reservoir Description
- Well logs basics
- Core and fluid samples
- Maps and cross-sections
- Reservoir heterogeneity
- Coffee break
- Reservoir heterogeneity (continued)
- Volumetric estimation
- Exercise: Simple volume estimate
Day 5
Geology in Business Decisions
- Prospect evaluation
- Appraisal and development
- Uncertainty communication
- Coffee break
- Uncertainty communication (continued)
- Working with geoscience teams
- Geology and energy transition
- Capstone: Prospect review presentation
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does Petroleum Geology for Non-Geologists (OG-040) cover?
This course covers Oil and Gas through a structured five-day outline focused on practical application, discussion, and implementation planning.
When is the next available session?
The next scheduled session starts on 2 - 6 November 2026. See the course schedules section for the available dates and delivery formats.
Who should attend this course?
Engineers without geoscience background, Commercial and business development staff, Finance and legal professionals in oil and gas
Is bilingual course delivery available?
Yes. All course materials and presentations are provided in English, while bilingual explanation and discussion support may be available depending on the selected location and trainer availability. For example, when attending a course in Istanbul, you may request a Turkish-speaking trainer to explain the English course content in Turkish. Arabic explanation support may also be requested at this location. Other languages are available in selected cities. You can choose your preferred language support as an optional preference during registration.
How can I register for a session?
Use any Register button next to the available course dates to open the participant registration page and submit your booking request for the selected session.
Is this course available online as well as classroom-based?
Check the course schedules section for currently published classroom and Online / Live sessions.
Where are classroom sessions delivered?
Current classroom venues include London, Istanbul, Cape Town, Barcelona, Rome, Munich, Amsterdam.
How long is the training programme?
The programme runs for five days from 09:00 to 14:00, which gives 25 contact hours, including a daily 30-minute break (22.5 hours of instruction).
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