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Geology Field School ACT-GEO

Industry field school · exclusive

Sequence Stratigraphy of Mixed Depositional Systems

West Texas & southeastern New Mexico · Permian Basin - mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems, shelf-to-basin frameworks, and outcrop-to-seismic characterization for conventional and unconventional plays.

Coming soon 2027 Register interest
  • Dates: Coming soon 2027 — get notified when the trip is live, or send an in-house inquiry for a private company week
  • Arrive: Sunday into ELP (El Paso) · transfer to Carlsbad
  • Depart: Friday afternoon from ELP after morning wrap + Carlsbad → El Paso transfer
  • $9,995
  • single occupancy · overnight Carlsbad every night
  • Permian Basin field seminar · gateway ELP (El Paso) · Carlsbad base nights
  • 6 min · 18 max
  • Up to ~40 hours · attendance letter (continuing-education path; length follows published itinerary)

Why this trip

Why Mixed Depositional Systems here

This is the ACT-GEO portfolio course Sequence Stratigraphy of Mixed Depositional Systems - West Texas & southeastern New Mexico · Permian Basin. Geology Field School & ACT-GEO exclusive: serious industry field school with exclusive drone / photogrammetry models and Permian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic context that still drives conventional and unconventional play work worldwide.

Why Permian mixed systems

The Guadalupe Mountains / Carlsbad region preserves Capitan reef and mixed carbonate-siliciclastic shelf-to-basin architecture at walkable scale - margin context, deepwater elements, slope and along-strike facies - so you can carry the same language into seismic, well, and model space for Permian Basin and analog plays.

Instructors + field lead

Rene Jonk (Director, ACT-GEO) and Brandon Harper (ACT-GEO) lead the geoscience. Christopher Oswalt (field lead · EMT) runs safety, logistics, and equipment so teaching stays on the rocks.

Exclusive drone models

Exclusive photogrammetry / drone outcrop models for participants - not a generic outcrop walk. Sequence stratigraphy, diagenesis, and play-element prediction sit next to outcrop-to-seismic workflows for geoscientists who need analogs they can take back to the subsurface.

Open enrollment value

Geology Field School open enrollment is $9,995. The same Mixed Depositional Systems material is also taught by Rene for other clients around $14,000 - GFS open enrollment is the accessible path to that science depth plus exclusive model access.

Field safety

  • EMT and wilderness risk management on the trip
  • Founded on the science of wilderness risk management and outdoor experience-based education
  • Guadalupe Mountains / Carlsbad field conditions: arid Chihuahuan Desert, elevation, heat, UV, wind, and remote roadcuts / canyon walks (see Travel)
  • Purpose-fit field safety equipment; hiking footwear mandatory
  • Sun protection, water, and ankle support expected every day

Science

Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems on outcrop

Course frame

This work-week field seminar is for geoscientists who need Permian Basin analogs for mixed depositional systems - carbonate margin context, siliciclastic deepwater architecture, slope and along-strike facies, diagenesis, and sequence-stratigraphic controls - then apply those observations to exploration, development, and reservoir characterization (conventional and unconventional).

Science themes draw on Permian Basin geologic overview, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems, outcrop-to-seismic ties, and deepwater architecture language familiar from Brushy Canyon-style shelf-to-basin systems. Competitor catalog depth (e.g. RPS / Nautilus N526 sequence-stratigraphic controls on deep-water reservoir architecture in the Brushy Canyon Formation) is used only as a science benchmark - not as this product's sold course name.

Focus: shelf-to-basin framework; mixed-system stacking; play-element prediction; diagenesis and reservoir quality; outcrop-to-subsurface characterization across West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.

Learning outcomes

  • Frame Permian Basin mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems in sequence-stratigraphic context
  • Recognize shelf-to-basin and carbonate-margin architectures on outcrop
  • Characterize deepwater / mixed-system stacking patterns and facies connectivity
  • Relate slope and margin stacking to reservoir architecture and play elements
  • Use along-strike facies variation for prediction away from the well / seismic line
  • Discuss diagenesis and reservoir-quality implications at outcrop scale
  • Integrate outcrop observations with subsurface workflows (logs, seismic, models)
  • Apply West Texas / SE New Mexico analogs to conventional and unconventional plays

Usual week

Sun-Fri in the Permian Basin

  • SunArrive El Paso (ELP) · transfer to Carlsbad · safety · basin overview
  • MonShelf-to-basin framework · carbonate margin context
  • TueMixed systems & Brushy Canyon deepwater architecture
  • WedSlope / margin stacking patterns
  • ThuAlong-strike facies & play-element prediction
  • FriMorning synthesis · transfer Carlsbad → El Paso · afternoon flights

Specific stop details are on your participant website. Weather and access may reorder themes within the published window. The week includes a course stop at Carlsbad Caverns (Capitan reef / karst context) - a serious field-school stop, not a tourism day.

In the field

West Texas / Permian Basin field days

West Texas / Permian Basin field landscape West Texas / New Mexico desert outcrop landscape Field work under open sky Outcrop discussion in the field Field group on outcrop Field day on uneven ground West Texas roadcut outcrop

Expect sun, elevation change, and arid footing — plan footwear, layers, water, and sun protection every day.

Field staff

Field staff

Rene Jonk
Instructor

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. Co-instructs Mixed Depositional Systems for this Permian Basin delivery.

Brandon Harper
Instructor

Brandon Harper · Instructor

Exploration Geoscientist Consultant, ACT-GEO

Brandon has more than 15 years of experience in industry and academic geoscience exploration, development, and research. He has been an explorationist, project supervisor, and instructor for ACT-Geo and ConocoPhillips. His exploration experience includes providing risked exploration portfolios of play-based basin and prospect evaluations in 25+ basins worldwide on every major continent. His favorite part of this job is helping to build ACT-Geo's extensive collection of field and classroom courses. Brandon holds a PhD in Earth Science from Rice University where he studied the interactions of barrier reef systems on siliciclastic shelf margins in response to cyclical changes in sea level at the shelf to basin level. Brandon is a member of SEPM and AAPG and regularly helps teach the SEPM Sequence Stratigraphy course at IMAGE.

Christopher Oswalt
Field lead

Christopher Oswalt · Field lead · EMT

Geology Field School field rep

Founder of Geology Field School and field lead on this course. Company founded on wilderness risk management. Nationally Registered EMT. Former Global Field Safety Director for Nautilus/RPS across 100+ field courses worldwide.

Exclusive 3D models

Exclusive drone outcrop models

Three exclusive photogrammetry previews from the Permian Basin week. Preview only - during the course you work the full models.

30m Channel Section

El Capitan Roadcut

Last Chance Canyon

From the field

West Texas field videos

Clips from ACT-GEO and Geology Field School — Permian Basin outcrop talks and West Texas field-school updates.

Exclusive delivery

Geology Field School & ACT-GEO exclusive

Mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems, shelf-to-basin frameworks, and outcrop-to-seismic characterization - designed for geoscientists working Permian Basin and analog plays worldwide.

Course design note · ACT-GEO & Geology Field School

Exclusive drone / photogrammetry models for participants - Capitan reef and mixed-system outcrops you can revisit in 3D after the week.

Model access · exclusive to this delivery

Open enrollment at $9,995. The same material is also taught by Rene for other clients around $14,000 - Geology Field School is the open path to that depth.

Value note · open enrollment

Fitness, readiness, and travel

Fitness, readiness, and travel

Who this trip is for

Geoscientists, petrophysicists, reservoir engineers, and managers who need Permian Basin outcrop analogs for mixed depositional systems, sequence stratigraphy, diagenesis, and play-element prediction - exploration through development, conventional and unconventional. This is a serious industry field school, not a leisure outing.

Who should not

Anyone unable to walk about 1-2 miles (1.6-3.2 km) on uneven desert / canyon ground with the group, including moderate elevation change, heat, and UV exposure at Guadalupe Mountains / Carlsbad field elevations.

Hikes / readiness

Medium physical demand. Hikes up to about 2 miles on roadcuts and canyon walks; remote locations; rocky / talus footing; vehicle-to-outcrop approaches. Heat and fatigue matter more at elevation. Weather and access can shorten or reorder days.

Elevation / field conditions

Guadalupe Peak is 8,751 ft (2,667 m). Typical Capitan reef / Guadalupe field stops sit roughly 5,000-6,500 ft (~1,500-2,000 m); Carlsbad Caverns NP elevations range about 3,595-6,520 ft (1,096-1,987 m). Overnight base in Carlsbad is about 3,127 ft (953 m). Expect arid Chihuahuan Desert conditions: hot summers, cool nights, spring/fall wind, possible winter cold, strong sun/UV, and dry air - hydrate every day.

Main hazards

  • Driving on highways and rural / park access roads
  • Slips and falls on uneven rock, talus, and steep approaches
  • Heat illness, sun/UV exposure, dehydration, and fatigue at elevation
  • Falling rock beneath cliffs - do not linger under overhangs
  • Wildlife and other park / road users at pull-offs
  • Sudden weather changes (wind, thunderstorms, cold fronts)

Required travel

Participants book their own flights into ELP (El Paso International). Exact parameters will be updated when 2027 dates are confirmed.

  • Arrive El Paso (ELP) Sunday for transfer to Carlsbad · safety briefing and basin overview (exact clock time published with dates).
  • Overnight Carlsbad every course night (single occupancy; hotel brand not listed on this sales page).
  • Friday: morning wrap-up in the field / area, then drive Carlsbad → El Paso. Book departure flights Friday afternoon only after wrap + drive time.
  • Course stop at Carlsbad Caverns (Capitan reef / karst context) - part of the field school, not a tourism framing.

If you miss the opening safety briefing and basin overview, you may miss context the field days build on.

Field school package

Investment and next step

$9,995

Coming soon 2027 · Mixed Depositional Systems

6 min · 18 max · single occupancy

Included

  • Instruction with Rene Jonk (Director, ACT-GEO) and Brandon Harper (ACT-GEO)
  • Field lead and safety with Christopher Oswalt (EMT)
  • In-course ground transport (ELP meet, Carlsbad base, and field days)
  • Single occupancy lodging for course nights (Carlsbad every night)
  • Hotel breakfasts and field lunches; selected hosted dinners when arranged
  • Course-specific field safety equipment
  • Course notes / materials for Mixed Depositional Systems (Permian Basin)
  • Course site access for 3 months
  • Exclusive drone outcrop model access for participants (when published for the run)

Not included: airfare to/from El Paso (ELP) and a few unhosted dinners.

AP / procurement

  • Non-refundable $500 deposit holds a seat (when registration is open)
  • 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)
  • Private company weeks: inquire for quote

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