This practical, insight-driven short course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and characterising Middle Eastern carbonate reservoirs and their impact on production performance. Through regional examples, interactive discussions and hands-on data interpretation, participants will gain the tools to reduce uncertainty, anticipate production challenges and improve decision-making across the exploration-to-production lifecycle.

Regional Framework

Carbonate Reservoir Fundamentals

Depositional Systems and Facies Models

• Regional tectono-stratigraphy

• Key petroleum system elements -reservoir-seal pairs, source types, distribution, maturation histories, migration pathways and trap styles

Diagenetic Controls on Reservoir Properties

Controls on Reservoir Architecture

Structural Frameworks

Discrete Zones of Elevated Permeability

Field Development Strategies

Reservoir Management Strategies

• Carbonate grain types

• Controls on carbonate deposition

• Porosity and permeability character

• Carbonate versus siliciclastic reservoirs

• Carbonate reservoir heterogeneities

• Epeiric shelves

• Rimmed shelves

• Strandplains

• Evaporitic shelves

• Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic shelves

• Sequence stratigraphic controls on depositional cycles, stacking patterns and bounding surfaces

• Baffles, barriers, layers of elevated permeability

• Diagenetic environments: marine, meteoric, burial

• Controls on reservoir properties

• Rock types and how to model them

• Regional tectonic frameworks

• Fault and fracture networks as fluid conduits - oil and gas, water

• Key risks - trap breach, souring, secondary migration

• Diagenetic DZEP - karstification, dolomitisation

• Depositional DZEP - coarse-grained beds, biogenic build-ups

• Structural DZEP - fracture networks

• Natural Depletion, well design, completions, well spacing

• IOR/EOR - effectiveness, impact on reservoir behaviour

• Historical case studies

• Well and reservoir surveillance planning - data acquisition, programmes. Well testing, production logging

• Case study histories, risks and mitigations

Diagenetic Controls on Diagenesis

Characterisation of Middle Eastern Carbonate Reservoirs

Understand the geology. Predict the behaviour. Optimise the performance.

Dr Nigel E. Cross

I am a subsurface consultant and course instructor with 30+ years’ oil and gas experience across a variety of technical and leadership roles for operators worldwide. I am a specialist in the characterisation, development and exploitation of carbonate reservoirs, with extensive experience across the Middle East.

About the Tutor

My approach

Training Framework

Modular, Operator-Focused Design

Collaborative Course Calibration

Applied, Real-Data Learning

Technical & Presentation Excellence

Flexible modules tailor content to company priorities, from fractured carbonates and specific reservoirs to generic field-development challenges. Course length and emphasis adapt to individual requirements.

Early collaboration defines course objectives, technical content and target audience. Material is calibrated to participant disciplines, experience levels and specific development issues.

Exercises use real subsurface datasets and practical case studies, linking geological concepts directly to reservoir decisions. Core workshops can reinforce links between concepts, data and reservoir behaviour.

Technical rigour is matched by clear, high-quality visual communication. Complex geological and reservoir concepts are visualised to make them intuitive, memorable and applicable.

Next Steps

Connect with Tethyan to discuss your team's specific training needs and receive a tailored course proposal.