Geology Field School exclusive
Deep-water Depositional Systems
Seismic-scale deep-water fan exposures of the Ross Formation — lithofacies, stacking patterns, sequence surfaces, and core–log–seismic integration with analogues for West Africa, offshore Brazil, Gulf of Mexico, and similar sand-rich DW systems.
- On demand · dates by inquiry
- Crinoid $7,900 · Ammonite $9,400
- Included: single lodging, ground transport, most meals (tier-dependent), and course materials. Not included: airfare and a few unhosted dinners.
Course fees are billed in USD. GBP/EUR figures are mid-market references (live when available, otherwise approximate) - not a guaranteed charge currency. Flight averages are indicative only - not a quote. Flights and other travel to and from the course start are not included.
Technical
Ross Formation deep-water fans on outcrop
The Ross Formation in Ireland offers seismic-scale outcrop exposures of a deep-water fan system with characteristics similar to several producing fields (e.g., West Africa, offshore Brazil, Gulf of Mexico).
This ~5-day course combines field activities with in-class lectures and exercises. Applied field exercises focus on DW lithofacies descriptions, stratal geometries, and recognition of key stratigraphic surfaces.
Core, well-logs, and seismic examples are compared with outcrop data to extrapolate 2-D outcrop information into 3-D reservoir-scale views, with engineering and production data used to improve prediction of reservoir performance.
What you work
- DW lithofacies descriptions and nomenclature
- Stratal geometries and vertical stacking patterns
- Key stratigraphic surfaces in outcrop, logs, and seismic
- Environments of deposition from lithofacies associations
- Core–log–seismic comparison with outcrop data
- Engineering and production data for reservoir-performance prediction
- Play elements and fairways in DW systems
Five problems this week solves
- Deepwater processes are hard to tie to reservoir architecture from logs and seismic alone.Comprehend deep-water sedimentological processes and their impact on reservoir architecture.
- Lithofacies terms do not transfer cleanly between core and outcrop.Recall DW lithofacies nomenclature, document facies in core, and relate them to stratal geometries.
- Seismic-scale fan stacking and surface criteria stay inferred.Identify key stratigraphic surfaces from lithofacies stacking pattern changes.
- EoD calls lack association criteria.Interpret DW environments of deposition from lithofacies associations and stacking.
- Connectivity prediction lacks outcrop-calibrated DW facies.Synthesize rock properties to facies and improve geologic models with outcrop analogues.
Five field days · theme-level
- Theme 1DW facies & significance of vertical stacking patterns
- Theme 2Sequence surfaces in outcrop, logs & seismic vs stacking
- Theme 3Outcrop analogues for reservoir-model building
- Theme 4Seismic response of DW environments of deposition
- Theme 5Composite vs depositional sequences · play elements & fairways
Sample week themes from the ACT-GEO Deep-water Depositional Systems outline (Ross Formation / County Clare). Day order and stops are confirmed on your participant website once dates lock.
Built for deepwater subsurface practitioners
- Deepwater explorationists Need seismic-scale fan analogues with clear stacking and surface criteria.
- Development & reservoir teams Improving connectivity prediction with outcrop-calibrated facies.
- Geomodel / QI practitioners Evaluating seismic response of DW EoDs against rock.
- Reservoir engineers Linking engineering and production data to facies architecture.
- Managers sending a team Want a shared DW systems language across disciplines.
Not for
- Tourists / scenic coastal trips — industry subsurface week, not a Wild Atlantic Way holiday.
- Undergrad field camp — pitched to working geoscientists and engineers.
- Anyone unable to walk on uneven, wet coastal rock with the group on tide-aware days.
Field staff
Rene Jonk · Instructor
Director, ACT-GEO
More than 25 years in geoscience characterization for exploration, development, and research. Technical advisor and leadership roles with ExxonMobil and Apache. Honorary professor, University of Aberdeen. Designs and teaches ACT-GEO partnership field deliveries.
Christopher Oswalt · Field lead · EMT
Geology Field School founder
Founder of Geology Field School. Field safety directors and EMT-qualified field staff run the week; Christopher often attends when schedule allows — not guaranteed on every course. Company founded on wilderness risk management. Nationally Registered EMT. Former Global Field Safety Director for Nautilus/RPS across 100+ field courses worldwide.
Why this week
Ross Formation fans
Seismic-scale deep-water fan system comparable to major producing DW provinces — surfaces and stacking you can walk.
Instructor owns the science · vs classroom / catalog field schools
Rene Jonk owns the science (Staff); Geology Field School runs safety, logistics, and equipment. Exclusive delivery with ACT-GEO.
Play-element mapping
Recognition criteria and mapping strategies for DW play elements and fairways, carried back to your asset.
Exclusive 3D · Geology Field School exclusive
Drone / photogrammetry models of Clare coast outcrops. See the live Sketchfab preview.
Safety
Field safety and readiness
How we run the week
- EMT and WFR-qualified field staff on the trip (field staff)
- Founded on the science of wilderness risk management and outdoor experience-based education
- Cutting-edge technology and the best safety equipment we can find that fits the purpose
- Daily briefings and clear roles; conservative go/no-go calls
- Tide, swell, and wave run-up checks on foreshore and cliff-top stops
- Hiking footwear mandatory
Fitness / readiness
Medium physical demand. Walking on uneven, wet coastal rock platforms and cliff-top paths with the group.
Who should not: anyone unable to walk on wet, uneven coastal rock with the group.
Field conditions
Atlantic coast of County Clare — wind, rain, and bright spells in the same day; tides set foreshore access. Waterproof layers, boots, and water every day.
Main hazards
- Driving on narrow coastal roads
- Slips and falls on wet, algae-covered rock
- Tide, swell, and wave run-up on foreshore stops
- Cliff edges on cliff-top paths
- Cold, wind, and rain
Logistics
Travel, bases, and the package
Required travel
Participants book their own flights into Shannon (SNN).
- Arrival meet time and place publish with dates.
- Book departure only after the published field wrap and transfer time.
Dates are on demand — register interest before booking flights.
Gateway
Shannon (SNN) — Kilkee / County Clare coast. Indicative routing CDG→SNN (reference only, not a quote).
Ground transport between the base and field stops is provided in-course.
The week runs from a Kilkee coastal base on the Clare coast. Single occupancy lodging is included in both tiers; hotel class depends on tier.
Core bonuses
- Drone model evening sessions — when weather closes the shore, conference time with models and slides.
When schedule allows
Occasional extras — not every run guarantees these.
- Geology-related tours where available on Ammonite tier
Bring
- Hiking footwear (mandatory)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm layers
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Course website, 3D models, technical materials, and field tools open 1 month before the course start date (once dates lock), with 3 months of website access.
Crinoid · essential
$7,900
Essential hotels, vans, field lunches and hotel breakfasts, digital course manual. No hosted dinners.
Ammonite · premium
$9,400
Premium hotels, 3 hosted dinners, premium SUVs, geoscientist enrichment where available, printed manual.
Included
- Instruction with Rene Jonk (ACT-GEO)
- Field lead / EMT · Geology Field School safety and logistics
- In-course ground transport
- Single occupancy lodging (tier sets property class)
- Hotel breakfasts and field lunches; 3 hosted dinners on Ammonite
- Course-specific field safety equipment
- Participant course website and digital field kit (timing in access note above)
Not included
- Airfare to / from SNN
- A few unhosted dinners (all dinners on Crinoid)
- Personal field clothing and hiking boots
- Travel insurance (recommended)
AP / procurement
- Non-refundable $500 deposit holds a seat once registration opens
- Then either 50% of balance due 1 day before start and 50% after the trip ends, or pay in full (preferred)
- Company card and PO accepted
- Colleague substitution until 14 days before start
- Cancellation terms
- Vendor pack on request (W-9, COI, sample invoice)
What you get
Your digital field kit
Course website, 3D models, technical materials, and field tools open 1 month before the course start date (once dates lock), with 3 months of website access.
- Course app
- Participant course website
- Field Course Atlas — map with 3D models
- Course notes / manual (printed on Ammonite)
- Deepwater TV-style walkthroughs
01Course app & course website
02Exclusive drone outcrop models
Geology Field School original from the Clare coast — Bridges of Ross. Interactive Sketchfab preview (drag to spin); full models unlock with the participant kit (see Package).
Bridges of Ross
Drag to spin · download disabled on public previews
03Certificate of attendance
You receive a Geology Field School certificate of attendance listing your instructional contact hours. For most professional geoscientists, in almost all states, those hours count toward professional-development (PDH) requirements. Use the listed instructional hours with your state board or employer PDH process.
Reviews & FAQ
Participant reviews
No Geology Field School public reviews yet for Kilkee. ACT-GEO partnership deliveries are established; course-specific scores publish after the first public week.
FAQ
Common questions
Who should not register — fit and fitness
Not for tourists or undergrad field camp, or anyone unable to walk on wet coastal rock — see Who it’s for. Readiness and hazards are in Safety.
Flights — gateway SNN
Book your own flights into Shannon (SNN) once dates lock. Full travel notes in Logistics.
Lodging — single occupancy
Kilkee single occupancy in both tiers — see Bases & towns and Package.
Ammonite vs Crinoid
Ammonite ($9,400) adds premium hotels, 3 hosted dinners, premium SUVs, geoscientist enrichment where available, and a printed manual. Crinoid ($7,900) is essential hotels and vans with no hosted dinners and a digital manual.
Which outline is this?
ACT-GEO Deep-water Depositional Systems (Ross Formation / County Clare).
Payment / AP
$500 non-refundable deposit once registration opens, then split balance or pay in full; company card / PO accepted. Full AP notes in Package.
Certificate / continuing-education hours
Your certificate of attendance lists your instructional contact hours — see Certificate for how those hours count toward PDH requirements.
When are the dates?
On demand. Use Register interest and we notify you when a public week locks, or request a private in-house week.
Cancellation
See geologyfieldschool.com/cancellation for current terms.
Kilkee · Public seat
From $7,900
Crinoid $7,900 · Ammonite $9,400 · on demand · Registration opening soon
In-house
Private company week
Asset-team delivery of the ACT-GEO Deep-water Depositional Systems curriculum with Geology Field School logistics. Your dates, your asset questions. Typical lead time 4–8 weeks.
Other industry field schools
Same operating system and safety standards across the catalog — Inyan Kara, San Diego, Scotland, West Texas, Rock Springs, Aínsa, and more.