PETROENG 7058 - Petroleum Geology & Geophysics

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course provides a working knowledge of the main qualitative and quantitative techniques used by petroleum geoscientists in finding and evaluating subsurface reservoirs. 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. The ideas introduced to this point are then integrated in a case history of a major field development study. Volumetric reserve estimation is covered next, and this section of the course concludes with the storage of carbon dioxide in reservoir rocks as a technique for greenhouse abatement. The Petroleum Geophysics section presents an introduction to reflection seismology, 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 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 the section concludes with a brief description of the data acquisition and processing required to produce the seismic images which the interpreter works with. The interpretation process is illustrated by a project in which pairs of students interpret a small seismic data set on workstations, and use the resulting maps to propose drilling targets.

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Course Details

Course Code	PETROENG 7058
Course	Petroleum Geology & Geophysics
Coordinating Unit	Australian School of Petroleum & Energy Resources
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Intensive short course
Incompatible	PETROENG 7044
Assumed Knowledge	Introductory Geoscience (eg MPE Bridging Course) recommended.
Assessment	Examination, exercises, group project, quiz

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Andy Mitchell

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Learn basic principles of petroleum exploration and field development
2	Understand the principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy for both clastic and carbonate reservoir rocks with particular emphasis on deposition and diagenesis
3	Learn specific tools and processes for analysing capillary pressure data to determine fluid migration from a source rock, to a reservoir and then to a producing well; use same principles to determine seal properties of caprocks. Practice using these tools and processes with hands-on exercises
4	Learn methods for estimating volumetric reserves in discovered hydrocarbon accumulations
5	Review example of how reservoir characterization studies lead to better field management
6	Illustrate basic principles of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and how the principles of petroleum geology can be applied to geological sequestration of CO2.
7	Understand the physical principles of reflection seismology
8	Understand the techniques used to interpret seismic data
9	Learn the types of information which can be obtained from the interpretation of seismic data
10	Understand the utility of this information in the exploration for and development of hydrocarbon fields

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-10
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	3, 8
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	3, 4, 5, 8
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	3, 8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	3, 8, 9
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1,5,9,10
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 4, 6, 10

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Course Manual containing hardcopy of Powerpoint slides used in lectures. Additional exercises as handed out in class.

Recommended Resources

There is no single text that covers all the material in this course. The lecturers will recommend useful reference texts during the course.

Online Learning

Good sources of help with learning are the downloadable learning guides (Writing, Effective Reading, Making Notes, Time Management, Exam Prep, etc) and links to other learning resources at -

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/all/stud_resources/
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/all/learning_guides
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The block-course format is the norm for 4th year and post-graduate courses in the ASP, and is universally used in industry for continued professional development and training.

One of the advantages of the block-course format is that you can immerse yourself in a single subject, without distraction or having to “re-load” for each session. Another is that there is no need to force-fit the material to the 1hr lecture/tute format – each topic can be addressed in the time it needs. Yet another advantage is that it provides an opportunity for immediate feedback as exercises are carried out, and solutions presented, in-class, after the concept has been taught.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

This information is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. This course comprises 6 days of full-time work (9am to 5 pm), involving a mixture of lectures, exercises and practical work. This is split into two 3 day blocks – one for the Petroleum Geology component, and the other for the Petroleum Geophysics component. The total contact hours are approximately the same as would be delivered in a 3 unit semesterised course. In addition, you will be expected to spend time outside of class on take-home assignments, finishing the project, revision, etc.

Learning Activities Summary

The main topics covered in the course will be as follows:

Petroleum Geology

· Overview of petroleum geology
     - assessment of risk
     - sources of geological data
     - traps
     - reservoirs and seals
     - the reservoir team

· Clastic reservoirs
· Carbonate reservoirs
· Capillary pressure principles
· Reserves evaluation
· Carbon capture and storage

Petroleum Geophysics

· Introduction
     - Types of Information obtained from seismic data
· Basics of the reflection seismic method
     - the seismic trace, section and volume
     - the convolutional model – reflection coefficients, travel times and wavelet
     - wave propagation – reflection, refraction and attenuation
     - resolution and velocity
· Basics of Interpretation
     - 2D vs 3D
     - Well ties
     - Interpretation procedure
     - Depth conversion
· Reservoir Interpretation
     - Amplitude interpretation for seismically thin beds
     - Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators
     - Seismic Attributes
     - 4D seismic

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Summative assessment

Petroleum Geology
In-class exercises - 20%
Final exam - 30%

Petroleum Geophysics
Take-home exercises - 7.5%
2D interpretation project - 10%
Final exam - 32.5%

Formative assessment

a. In-course quiz
b. In-class exercises with immediate feedback.

Assessment Related Requirements

There is no requirement to achieve a minimum mark in any individual component of the assessment.

Additional Assessment: if an Additional Assessment is required for any student, the course co-ordinator reserves the right, as per university policy, to use a range of assessment measures. Such measures may include oral assessment, additional assignments, and questions of the same type as the main exam.

Assessment Detail

The final exam will be a 2 hour, closed-book exam, held at a time, date and venue to be advised within the official examination period at the end of the semester. It will consist of Petroleum Geology and Petroleum Geophysics sections, each of nominally 1 hour duration. The weighting of the marks for each section in the final mark will be 30% for the Geology section, and 32.5% for the Geophysics section. The Geology section will consist of short answer, multiple choice and true or false sections. The Geophysics section will comprise mainly questions requiring short essay-style answers (ranging in length from one or two sentences to a half page paragraph).

Submission

Submission of Assignment
You will be advised of the due dates for submission of exercises and the group project in class.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time or minor illness.

Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks must be submitted by the stated deadlines. There will be a penalty for late submission of assessment tasks. The submitted work will be marked ‘without prejudice’ and 10% of the obtained mark will be deducted for each working day (or part of a day) that an assessment task is late, up to a maximum penalty of 50% of the mark attained.

An examiner may elect not to accept any assessment task that a student wants to submit after that task has been marked and feedback provided to the rest of the class.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Contact Admin for School policy on remarking of exams

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

Communication
It is important that all students maintain active communication channels throughout the year. The primary communication channels to students in this course are as follows.

Email: Each student should regularly check his or her University-provided email account (firstname.lastname@student.adelaide.edu.au) for information from academic staff concerning course work matters and other announcements as they arise. Make sure you clean up your Inbox regularly as if it is full you will not receive our email! We will regard an email message to your student email address, or an announcement posted on the MyUni site, as our having communicated with each member of the class. Not reading email or MyUni announcements will not be a valid excuse for missing important deadlines etc.

MyUni: Students should regularly check the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator