Course description
Introduction
This is a collaborative MSc between the University of Edinburgh School of GeoSciences, Heriot-Watt Petroleum Engineering (5km distant), and Newcastle University Fossil Fuels. The MSc has its first intake in September 2005.
The Objective of the MSc is to provide a thorough training in aspects of subsurface Geology Geophysics and Geo-engineering, which relate to the Exploration, Appraisal and Development of subsurface resources (such as hydrocarbons), or waste disposal (such as CO2 or toxic wastes). In its initial two years (2005 and 2006 entry), the course will be heavily accented towards hydrocarbon geoscience - as that is where many of the techniques have been developed.
Lecture Programme
* Reservoir Concepts
* Reservoir Clastic and Carbonate Sedimentology
* Reservoir Structure
* Petroleum Engineering for Exploration
* Formation Evaluation
* Exploration Methods
* Reservoir Geophysics
* Seismic and Sequence Stratigraphy
* Basin Sedimentology (Geology option) or
* Seismic Methods (Geophysics option)
* Clastic and Carbonate Diagenesis
* Petroleum System Analysis (Geology option) or
* Timelapse and Multicomponent Seismic (Geophysics option)
* Forth Basin Tutored Exploration Exercise
* Team Exploration Project
* Individual Project
RESERVOIR CONCEPTS* (full module)
Develop a framework within the North Sea context for the stratigraphic and structural controls on oilfield settings. Understand geological control on reservoir properties and performance. Understand the concept of flow units and the basic processes involved in their development. Able to correlate, map and calculate hydrocarbons in place.
RESERVOIR CLASTIC AND CARBONATE SEDIMENTOLOGY* (full module)
Understand the development of sediment processes in clastic and carbonate reservoirs and how these affect reservoir properties.
RESERVOIR STRUCTURE* (half module)
Describe and represent the geometric characteristics of reservoirs. Explain development of reservoir shape in terms of deformation processes. Relate structural features to the operation of petroleum systems. Practical use of structural geology in exploration and development. Understand impact of deformation on fluid flow, especially the role of faults and fractures.
PETROLEUM ENGINEERING FOR EXPLORATION (half module)
Understand the rock and fluid properties of a hydrocarbon reservoir. Describe the nature of the fluid flow and pressure distribution in a reservoir around wells, in fields and aquifers. Understand the effects of production/ injection on recovery of reserves. Use well testing for reserve determination and pressure information.
FORMATION EVALUATION** (full module)
Understand the concept of formation evaluation and well logging. Understand the physical principles of the tools used in logging. Characterise the formation based on interpretation of well logs.
EXPLORATION METHODS (half module)
Provide introduction to Exploration Methods. Introduction to the role of Explorationists. Key concepts in the Petroleum Play. Exploration business framework.
RESERVOIR GEOPHYSICS* (half module)
Basic principles of seismic at the reservoir scale. Influence of rocks and reservoir fluids on seismic properties. Seismic Attributes & Seismic Inversion. Imaging and Resolution (tuning effects). Correlation between Reservoir Characteristics & Attributes. Acquisition & Processing (fundamentals, migration). 4D Seismic.
SEISMIC AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY (full module)
Understand modern sequence stratigraphic approaches. Understand role of sequence stratigraphic models for reservoir prediction. Understand the use of sequence stratigraphy in subsurface exploration appraisal and development.
BASIN SEDIMETOLOGY (Geology option) (half module)
Link between sedimentology and basin process. Understand basin fill and provenance aspects. Regional aquifer geometries.
SEISMIC METHODS (Geophysics option) (half module)
Understand the sources of signal and noise in seismic data Enable student to make a seismic interpretation in various structural settings.
CLASTIC AND CARBONATE DIAGENESIS (half module)
Understanding of sandstone and carbonate pore types. Understanding and predicting sandstone reservoir quality in petroleum systems. Understanding carbonate cements and their impact on reservoir properties.
PETROLEUM SYSTEM ANALYSIS (Geology option) (full module)
Understand the role of organic material in petroleum Understand the petroleum system – source rock, timing and migration.
TIMELAPSE AND MULTICOMPONENT SEISMIC (Geophysics option) (full module)
Understand the role of Timelapse and Multicomponent Seismic.
FORTH BASIN TUTORED EXERCISE (full module)
Draw on all taught skills and disciplines to carry out a basin evaluation in a tutored environment (problem-based learning). Work both as individual but mainly as an integrated team. Present results of evaluation as a coherent written report.
TEAM EXPLORATION PROJECT
Wessex Basin exercise. Draw on all taught skills and disciplines to carry out a basin evaluation in an untutored environment (problem-based learning). Work both as individual but mainly as an integrated team. Present results of evaluation as a coherent written report. Present results orally to examiners.
Individual Project Exercise
Tackling an individual research technical project Work both as an individual. Present results of evaluation as a coherent written report. Present results orally to examiners.
* Common to the MSc Reservoir Evaluation Management course
** Common to the MSc Reservoir Evaluation Management and MSc Petroleum Engineering courses
