Module GL4414: Petroleum Geology and Exploration
| Co-ordinator: | Dr Chris Nicholas |
|---|---|
| Course Type: | Optional |
| Assessment: | Theory examination (50%); in-course assessment (50%) |
| ECTS: | 5 Credits |
| Prerequisites: | JS Geology |
Contact hours & timing:
Weeks 6-10, six hours per week |
Module Learning Aims:
The aim of this module is to give the student an introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects behind oil exploration for the next
decade.
Module Content:
The last of the world's 'easy' oil discoveries have been made and now there is increasing global economic pressure to explore for hydrocarbons in
more and more inaccessible regions, in an attempt to stretch out the planet's last reserves and ease the changeover to renewable energy resources. Therefore, the
petroleum industry has now entered a new phase, which targets oil and gas exploration in developing regions, which were previously considered to be
uneconomic.
Two main strands are followed during the course of this module. Firstly, the principal theoretical concepts of petroleum generation, migration and accumulation are
introduced. Secondly, this theory is illustrated in practice by investigating real-life examples of on going oil exploration in the frontier region of East Africa. In a series
of problem-solving practical tasks, the student will use actual industry data to follow the main steps from initial exploration to drilling. Sessions each week will consist of
lectures to present new theoretical material followed by practical sessions in which to apply various investigative techniques, including; drilling, electronic well log
interpretation and 'mud-logging', well correlation and basin modelling, sequence stratigraphy and seismic interpretation.
Learning outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
• describe how oil and gas is generated and trapped
• interpret seismic sections and discuss the application of sequence stratigraphy
• give a detailed account of the concepts behind petroleum play systems and the recognition of petroleum play elements
• assess risk in prospects prior to drilling
• interpret electronic well logs and provide a discussion of the main structural and petroleum geology aspects of key East African play systems