June 22 - 28, 2008
Kilkee, County Clare, Western Ireland

Convenors:
Ole J. Martinsen (StatoilHydro) OJMA@StatoilHydro.com
Morgan Sullivan (Chevron) morgansullivan@chevron.com
Andy Pulham (Consultant)
Peter Haughton (University College, Dublin)

Register Online

The new tools and methods used in outcrop geology developed over the last decade or so are a major breakthrough for the use and value of outcrop geology. Despite the increased details of seismic and present close integration with borehole and core data, the consensus in academia and industry is that outcrops are an absolute necessity for observing and interpreting details of sedimentary systems. The challenge is to bring the details and large scale observations into a format and a workflow where they can be compared directly with for instance subsurface and modern systems data . Both for geological and geophysical reasons, subsurface data need to be calibrated by real rock and outcrop data. Yet, there is need to define the current status of the value of outcrops for understanding sedimentary systems. This need is justified by the broad range of approaches used by sedimentary geologists when working with outcrops. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, there are many different views on how well outcrops and outcrop data can illustrate subsurface variability of sedimentary systems. Traditionally, outcrops have been termed “analogues”, but do the new techniques breach barriers and allow for terming outcrops “direct comparisons” or even “homologues” since the quantitative approaches now applied to outcrops allow for scaled, quantitative comparisons.
The conference will address both new tools, discuss techniques and show applications of value for understanding and recording the correct data in outcrops. Thus, a long list and range of techniques will be presented, allowing the attendees to understand both new workflows and applications more completely. With a continuous increase in new digital tools and software, approaches and applications become fragmentary, and the one of the aims of conference is to focus on the most useful methods and tools.
Traditionally outcrop data and their understanding lay in the minds and in the mainly qualitative records of the geologists who carried out the fieldwork. The new digital and quantitative methods allow for sharing observations and interpretations in a widely different way and to a much larger extent than previously. The scientific gains from the new approaches will be addressed in an application session. Not least the ability to integrate various data in completely new workflows will be addressed. The increased level of integration allows for more thorough interpretations and scientific breakthroughs.

Keynote Speakers:

Tools for Outcrop Data Collection
John Thurmond, StatoilHydro, Norway
Neil Hurley, Schlumber Doll Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Erik Monsen, Schlumberger, Norway
Mark Grasmueck, University of Miami, USA

Applications
David Hodgetts, University of Manchester, UK
Kirk Campion, ExxonMobil, USA
Julian Clark, Chevron, USA
Charles Kerans, University of Texas - Austin, USA

Outcrops for Modeling
Xavier Janson, University of Texas - Austin, USA
Didier Granjeon, IFP, France
Jeffrey Yarus, Houston, Texas
Paul Gillespie, StatoilHydro, Norway
David Hodgson, University of Liverpool, UK

Conference Themes:
Outcrop Data Collection Techniques

• LIDAR and its application
• Photorealistic mapping
• Shallow seismic
• Automated collection techniques from satellite and outcrop photorealistic data
• Quantitative outcrop logging techniques
• GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar)
• Behind-the-outcrop coring and logging

Outcrop Modeling

• Seismic modeling of outcrops
• Reservoir modeling of outcrops
• Forward stratigraphic modeling of outcrops
• Fracture modeling
• Uncertainties in outcrop modeling

Applications

• Global case studies
• New workflows
• Key learnings for understanding of sedimentary systems

Conference format:
The conference will be a combination of oral and poster presentations and field trips/short courses (with actual presentations of tools, methods and applications based on the local, superb geology, in the field. The venue chosen in Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland is ideal for this format with a short and easy access from Kilkee where presentation will be held, to a range of world-famous carbonate and clastic field localities such as the Burren and Upper Carboniferous Shannon Basin with its more than 2200 m thick complete basin fill succession. The preferred choice is a 5(6) day conference with 3 full days with presentations and 2 (+1 optional) field days. The format for the conference will attract both researchers interested in outcrop tools and methods, but presumably the largest interest will be in the application of these tools and the increased quality of data, results and interpretations. The exposure to “live” collection of LIDAR, GPR and other types of geophysical data will attract many sedimentary geologists interested in making field geology more effective and accurate without compromising data quality and scientific principles.

Conference dates and numbers:
June 22-28, 2008; maximum of about 90 participants because of limitations on field portion and accommodation. Arrival into Kilkee should be evening June 21st (transport will be arranged from nearby Shannon Airport)..

Conference Fees: Registration fee for 6-day conference will be announced shortly.  This will include field transport, abstract book, field-guide books and lunches during field days.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Please submit 250-word abstracts (SEPM format) on above or related themes by April 15th, 2008 to SEPM (online submission form)