Integrated Geochemical Interpretion Limited IGI Ltd

Field Courses

IGI organises and leads field trips covering the geology of Devon, Dorset and Somerset in the southwest of England. Based on a wide variety of locations (see map), these field excursions can cover a selection of the following:

• The general regional geology, sedimentology, structure and fossils of SW England;
• Petroleum geology in general and the Petroleum Systems of the Wessex Basin in particular;
• Outcrops of oils seeps, oil source rocks and brown coals focussing on bulk, molecular and isotopic organic geochemistry together with 1-D and 2-D basin modelling.

Two general "flavours" of field course have been regularly provided in the past:

General geology (based in Devon) focusing on the Variscan Orogeny and following a progression of predictable events following the closure of the proto-Tethys ocean:

• Sedimentology of the Culm: Devonian pillow lavas, carbonate reefs and syn-orogenic sedimentation;
• Compressional tectonics: Syn-orogenic burial, folding then faulting
• Major granitic intrusion, contact metamorphism and mineralisation
• Post-orogenic uplift, course clastic sedimentation, basic volcanics
• Post-orogenic erosion, low energy fluvials, lagoons, evaporites
• Marine transgression, diverse macrofaunas, shelf sedimentation

Alternatively successful general geology and team building trips could include Dartmoor granite, peri-glacial geomorphology, Devonian reefs and Permian conglomerates in addition to the above.

Petroleum geology and geochemistry (based in Dorset) considering all aspects of the petroleum system in the Wessex Basin:

• Sedimentology of the Culm: Devonian pillow lavas, carbonate reefs and syn-orogenic sedimentation;
• Compressional tectonics: Syn-orogenic burial, folding then faulting
• Major granitic intrusion, contact metamorphism and mineralisation
• Post-orogenic uplift, course clastic sedimentation, basic volcanics
• Post-orogenic erosion, low energy fluvials, lagoons, evaporites
• Marine transgression, diverse macrofaunas, shelf sedimentation

Dorset-based petroleum geology/geochemistry courses lend themselves to a combination of field study and classroom-based learning (afternoon/evening), including workshop exercises using geochemical data and examples from the field.

Practicalities

For these field excursions, IGI can provide from field leaders only to a complete package including accommodation, meals, transport (round trip from office or airport of arrival), field notes, safety equipment (hard hats, etc). To provide a more rounded excursion, we also can tie in cultural activities or visits to locations of historical or environmental significance.

For field excursions based in Devon, the Hallsannery Field Centre and grounds provide an ideal base. We particularly cater for team-building programmes for mixed groups from geo-based industries. The courses are run in an informal manner with accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, all course related material, safety equipment and field transport included.

Field trips may be run on request (typically a minimum 8 persons) or by prior arrangement. For further information and advice on how IGI can tailor a field course for your company, contact IGI info@igiltd.com.

Future field course developments

In addition to these field courses based in the southwest of England, IGI is looking to expand its field excursions to include a number of international trips, including:

• The petroleum systems of Tunisia
• The structural development of the East African Rift System

Please contact us if you have any interest in field excursions to these areas.