Total, in co-operation with Qatar Petroleum, has organised a two-day field trip to the Al-Dakhirah lagoon, north of Al Khor. This cross-disciplinary experience, which was prepared for different departments of Qatar Petroleum, drew so much interest that two trips were organised.The day started with a classroom presentation for all the participants (geo-scientists, engineers and managers) in order to acquire some fundamentals of modern geology. The following days were spent visiting the lagoon by either boat, 4x4 or by foot, exploring this modern geological environment, which provides a good analogue setting to the gas and oil fields of Qatar. An old but famous phrase of a known geologist, stating that ‘understanding the present is the key to understanding the past’ was successfully apprehended by all and the field trip provided an enhanced learning experience when it comes to understanding how gas and oil reservoirs were created a long time ago.