SOUVENIR COMMITTEE - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Training Programme on “PALYNOLOGY IN FOSSIL FUEL EXPLORATION”
[ September 10-17, 2012 ]
From the Desk of the
Director, BSIP and Coordinator, Training Programme
Palynology is an important branch of Palaeobiology, concerned with the study of
organic walled microfossils found in the sedimentary rocks. Palynological study of the
total particulate organic matter in the sediments has developed as an important field of
research (as palynofacies study) for reconstruction of depositional environment and
evaluation of hydrocarbon source rock potential. With the development of sequence stratigraphy in
sedimentary geology, palynology and palynofacies have emerged as important components in integrated
multidisciplinary studies. Significance of palynomorphs has been amply demonstrated for characterizing
various sequence components, correlation of terrestrial and marine deposits and relative sea-level fluctuations.
A vast amount of palynological data has been generated from the petroliferous sedimentary basins of India
during the past five decades. However, it is only during the last two and half decades that significant
development with regard to the application aspects of palynomorphs and palynofacies have taken place due to
the increasing emphasis on hydrocarbon exploration in different on-shore and off-shore sedimentary basins.
Frontier fields of these applications are in the dating and correlation of sediments through identification of
global bio-events (FAD and LAD), high-resolution integrated biostratigraphy for finer zonations, recognition
of T/R cycles, reconstruction of palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate, identification of sequence boundaries,
maximum flooding surfaces, characterization of system tract components, deciphering relative sea-level
changes, and better understanding of hydrocarbon source potential facies.
Palynology has, therefore, proven its application in all the commercially producing sedimentary basins of
India— Cambay, Mumbai Offshore, Krishna-Godavari, Cauvery and Assam. Based on the identification of
globally recognized dinoflagellate cyst Bio-horizons, a fine stratigraphic resolution of 0.5 to 1 Ma has been
achieved in some of these basins. Analyses of terrestrial palynomorphs and dinoflagellate cysts have helped to
develop palaeoenvironmental models useful in basinal studies. Palynofossils have been extremely valuable in
providing age support. These have been proved particularly useful where sedimentary formations are devoid of
/ poor in microforaminifera and calcareous nannoplankton. These multifaceted approaches facilitated
emergence of ‘Applied Palynology’ or ‘Industrial Palynology’ as a potentially viable tool in solving geologic
problems and hydrocarbon exploration.
The fast growing energy requirement in the oil and natural gas sector and the gap between indigenous
production and likely demand require constant striving to enhance hydrocarbon production in our country.
With further expansion of exploration operations in the oil industry, demand for Applied Palynology is bound
to increase manifold in the coming future. However, it is said that western countries may likely face a serious
shortage of Industrial palynologists in the coming decade and urgently need active support from industry and
academic institutions to work in closer alliance. In the present global scenario of integrative and productive
research, expectation from scientists have immensely increased especially in terms of utility of the outcome of
research for the benefit and development of the society
This Training Programme is aimed at educating/ training young researchers in generating geo-scientific data
related to the palynological and organic facies aspects and their application in exploration of liquid, solid and
gaseous fossil fuels. The structure of the programme includes thematic lecture series by eminent subject
experts. Practical demonstrations of preparation techniques and microscopic observations, under the guidance
of institutes’ scientists are planned. We have organised a one day visit to interact with experts at KDMIPE
&, ONGC.
I am happy that many outstation young students have shown keen interest and I am sure that this programme
will motivate all of them to pursue their career in related fields of fossil fuel exploration.
Naresh C. Mehrotra
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow
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