PETROENG 7058 - Petroleum Geology and Geophysics

This course provides a working knowledge of the main qualitative and quantitative techniques used by petroleum geoscientists in finding and evaluating subsurface resources. Basic techniques utilised in geological and geophysical analyses of the subsurface are discussed. Practical application of these techniques are demonstrated in exercises. The Petroleum Geology section provides a detailed description of clastic and carbonate reservoir rocks, with the unifying theme being that reservoir location, shape and properties can be understood and predicted from knowledge of the environments in which the sediments forming the rocks were deposited, and the various processes which occur following deposition (diagenesis). The behaviour of fluids in reservoir rocks is covered next, with capillary pressure principles as a basic concept for understanding issues such as vertical and lateral distribution of fluids in a reservoir, seal capacity, and recovery efficiency. Volumetric reserve estimation is covered next, followed by discussions on enhanced oil recovery, unconventional reservoirs and the storage of carbon dioxide and hydrogen in reservoir rocks as applications of petroleum geology principles towards greenhouse gas emissions abatement as part of the energy transition. The Petroleum Geophysics section of the course presents an introduction to refraction and reflection seismology, the latter being the main geophysical method used in hydrocarbon exploration and development. After an outline of the various types of information that can be obtained using the method, the basic physics at its heart is described - the reflection of (sound) waves from acoustic interfaces within the earth, and the refraction and attenuation of these waves as they travel down and back up to the surface. The interpretation of the data to produce maps or models of the reflecting interfaces is covered, and this section includes a brief description of seimsic surveying and the data processing techniques required to produce the seismic images which the interpreter works with. The section concludes with specialist uses of seismic reflection survey data for advanced interpretation, reservoir evaluation and production monitoring. A series of spreadsheet exercises illustrate technical principles of seismic reflection theory.