The Neuquen Basin, from Basement to the Neuquen Group

Overview

The Neuquén Basin is known worldwide for the quality of its outcrops. Throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous, this basin was affected by repeated marine floods from the proto-Pacific, resulting in a variety of sedimentary environments considered unique in the world. The quality of the outcrops is the result of a favorable climate that allows adequate exposure of entire sections in a safe and accessible environment. Throughout this course, a guided tour of key outcrops will be carried out, arranged chronologically in order to obtain a complete review of the stratigraphic column from the basement to its final infill. Not only the lithology, facies and sedimentary environments will be discussed, but also the evolution of the large groups, main discontinuities and geotectonic environment.

Organization of the training

Our courses use a unique disruptive online new technology. All the platform is available on the web, and the sessions, field visit, master classes, exercises and explanations can be accessed any time as convenient after login in our Moodle platform. The attendees can make the training during their available free time, and once a week they can access to a specific forum to discuss directly with the tutor in an online session. This course comprises 10 setected Tours, visiting 35 key Locations for the understanding of the stratigraphy and evolution of the Neuquen Basin. These Locations in turn include several stop points, some of which are difficult to access during conventional field courses.

Each Tour and its corresponding Locations include:

• A masterclass explaining the overall geology and stratigraphy of the area to be visited.
• A masterclass explaining main theoretical topics to be discussed during the visit.
• Each Location includes an introduction, a complete virtual visit to be performed by the attendee with different stops, explaining videos, and a final geological quiz to evaluate the overall comprehension.
• These Locations can include an additional practical exercise.

Level and Audience

This course is intended for all geoscientists working in conventional and unconventional targets. The concepts and techniques presented along the course can aid geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists and engineers to a better evaluation of hydrocarbon reservoirs, as well as a better comprehension of the different scales of seismic and outcrops, and the relationship between tectonics and sedimentation.  Participants should have a basic understanding of sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy concepts.

Results

Along the course the attendees will learn:

• The characteristics of the basement and the initial configuration of the Neuquén Basin
• Characteristics and facies of the initial infill of the Neuquén Basin (Precuyo Group) along key outcrops.
• Stratigraphy, internal organization, paleoenvironments and evolution of the Cuyo Group and its main discontinuities at key outcrops. Synsedimentary tectonic activity during the Cuyo Group
• Stratigraphy, meaning and evolution of the Lotena Group from key outcrops.
• Stratigraphy and evolution of Grupo Mendoza from key outcrops. The significance  of the Tordillo Fm. and their equivalents. The Vaca Muerta Formation and its internal evolution. Origin, significance and regional evolution of the Mulichinco and Agrio formations. Analysis of key field sections.
• Stratigraphy and significance of the Huitrin and Rayoso groups from key outcrop sections.
• Stratigraphy and significance of the continental deposits of the Neuquen Group.
• Analysis of the relationship between tectonics and sedimentation throughout the evolution of the Neuquen Basin.
• The Neuquén Basin and its conventional and unconventional reservoirs.