Geoscience Coursework Synopses

Petroleum Systems

• Australian Basins
• Organic Geochemistry
• Thermal Maturation and Basin Modelling

Sedimentology

• Siliciclastic Depositional Systems
• Sandstone Petrology & Diagenesis
• Carbonate Rocks and Reservoir

Stratigraphy

• Concepts and Applications of Biostratigraphy
• Concepts of Sequence Stratigraphy
• Reservoir Scale Sequence Stratigraphy
• Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy

Structural Geology

• Structural Geology
• Petroleum Geomechanic

Field Trips

• Amadeus Basin Field Trip
• Morialta Field Trip (Sedimentology & Sequence Stratigraphy)
• Maslin Beach Field Trip (Depositional Environments and Reservoir Quality)
• Exploration and Production Operations Field Trip

Reservoir Geology

• Evaluation of Reservoirs and Seals
• Development Geology
• Core Description, Correlation and Reservoir Modelling
• Subsurface Mapping
• Reserve Estimation
• Geostatistics
• Reservoir Engineering

Drilling and Formation Evaluation

• Drilling Operations
• Mudlogging
• Wireline Logging
• Sample Analysis

Seismic Methods

• Signal Analysis
• Seismic Acquisition and Processing
• Seismic Processing
• Seismic Interpretation
• Advanced Seismic Interpretation

Professional Skills

• Exploration Management
• CV Preparation & Interview Skills
• Presentation Skills

This document gives brief outlines of the courses making up the ASP Geoscience Coursework Program. The courses are grouped under major discipline headings, and are not presented in the order shown here. Please consult the coursework timetable for the schedule of presentation.

Each course name is followed by one of three categories:

1. Core – denotes a course taken by all ASP geoscience students
2. Geologists only – denotes a course taken only by students in the geology stream.
3. Geophysicists only – denotes a course taken only by students in the geophysics stream.

Courses for geologists are run in parallel with those for geophysicists.

Some courses build on others. For example the courses on Reservoir Scale Sequence Stratigraphy and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy run after the Concepts of Sequence Stratigraphy course. Although each course is an independent module, staff from external organisations intending to audit courses from this program should consider whether it may be useful to attend a precursor course in addition.

For more information on any course, please contact the presenter directly, or the program coordinator, Andy Mitchell.

Petroleum Systems

Australian Basins (Core)

Two days: Lead by Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

(NB this course is also taken by third year and coursework Masters petroleum engineering students as part of PE3024/7048 Petroleum Exploration and Management. This course runs over two days which are separated by several weeks, and requires working in a group between the days. It is therefore unlikely to be suitable for industry attendees.)

This course is presented in two days, some weeks apart. The first day comprises a set of lectures covering:

• an a brief review of sedimentary basins and petroleum geology;
• an overview of the development of the Australian continent, emphasising the major petroleum systems;
• Australian exploration and production in a global context; and
• Australian “frontier” regions.

At the conclusion of the lectures, students will be split into groups. Each group will be allocated by lot an Australian basin for which they will prepare a brief seminar covering the geological development, petroleum system(s) and play type(s), and exploration and production history and potential. This will be done in the period leading up to the second day of the course, when the seminars will be presented. Each section of a talk will be presented by a different group member. The seminars will be assessed by both the class and the staff member coordinating the course.

Organic Geochemistry (Geologists only)

Five days: Presented by Assoc Prof David McKirdy, Visiting Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide.

The course covers a range topics related to the essential elements and processes of a petroleum system, including hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation and alteration. It provides a pragmatic introduction to the various analytical techniques (petrographic, molecular and isotopic) that are employed in source rock evaluation and oil and gas characterisation. The roles of precursor biota, depositional environment and burial history (time and temperature) are considered in determining the type and amount of petroleum produced by a source rock. Techniques for quantitatively measuring source rock quality and monitoring the process of organic maturation, whereby kerogen is converted into oil and gas, are discussed. The mechanisms and efficiencies of primary migration from different source rock lithofacies (shale, coal and carbonate) are compared; and novel methods of recognising migration pathways and reconstructing the charge histories of reservoirs are described. Finally, various approaches to oil-source and oil-oil correlation based on biomarkers and C-isotopes are illustrated by way of selected case studies. A series of case histories from Australian basins reinforce various aspects of the course, which comprises lectures and several practical exercises.

Assessment will be by marking of practical exercises and an exam.

Thermal Maturation and Basin Modelling (Geologists only)

Five days: Presented by Dr Peter Tingate, Geoscience Victoria & ASP Adjunct.

Thermal history modelling is the basis for predicting the timing and extent of petroleum generation in sedimentary basins. The course begins with the theory associated with heat flow, followed by an overview of thermal variation associated with different subsurface structures and tectonic settings. Thermal models derived from borehole information (e.g. stratigraphy, bottom hole temperatures, lithology) and theoretical models are discussed. Different thermal maturation indicators are reviewed and their use in calibrating thermal models demonstrated. In the practical sessions students create and interpret models using BasinMod, a package widely used in the exploration industry.

Exploring in sequences with pore pressures greater than hydrostatic values (overpressure) can cause major safety and expenditure problems for the petroleum industry. The causes of overpressure in sedimentary basins are reviewed as well as methods for recognising overpressure during drilling. Simple 1D models are constructed to predict the distribution and magnitude of overpressure. Examples of 2D and 3D models are discussed as well as criteria to choose between 1D, 2D and 3D modeling in different situations.

The course will be assessed by an examination.

Sedimentology

Siliciclastic Depositional Systems (Core)

Three days: Presented by Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

A large proportion of petroleum reservoirs are formed in siliciclastic depositional systems and this course is designed to review the fundamentals of facies analysis needed to correctly interpret depositional processes and environments. The course will review the basic sedimentary processes and resultant structures commonly encountered in cores and outcrops. It will provide criteria for practical identification and interpretation of alluvial fan, lacustrine, fluvial, deltaic, shoreline, shelf and deep sea clastic depositional systems from outcrop, core and wireline log datasets. The course is an essential precursor to the various courses on stratigraphy.

Assessment will be by marking practical exercises done during the course, and a section in the combined sedimentology/stratigraphy exam.

Sandstone Petrology & Diagenesis (Core)

Four days: Presented by Dr Peter Tingate, Geoscience Victoria & ASP Adjunct.

This course aims to provide an understanding of the processes that affect sandstone reservoir quality. Sandstone composition, texture and classification and their correlation with petrophysical properties are discussed. Clays (and XRD techniques) are covered and their potential effects on permeability are considered. Diagenetic changes to sandstones are described and illustrated by observing thin sections under the microscope during practical sessions. Stable isotopes and advanced petrological techniques, and their application to petroleum geology, are examined. Case studies of different sandstone reservoirs are also presented.

Assessment will be by an exam conducted on the last afternoon of the course.

Carbonate Rocks and Reservoirs (Core)

One day: Presented by Prof. John Kaldi, ASP.

This course examines the components and controls on carbonate depositional systems and their diagenesis as a means of providing a basis for hydrocarbon exploration models and development strategies.

Course components include:

• Brief review of carbonate minerals and their occurrence in nature
• Carbonate terminology
• Carbonate depositional systems
• Controls on carbonate sedimentation
• Depositional settings – temperate vs tropical
• Diagenesis
• Dolomitisation
• Carbonate Reservoirs
• Case histories

This course is not assessed.

Straitgraphy

Concepts and Applications of Biostratigraphy (Core)

Two days: Presented by Geoff Wood and Ilene Rex, Santos Ltd.

The main aim of this course is to familiarise students with the geological interpretation of biostratigraphic data. Reference is made to various biostratigraphic schemes currently utilised in Australia with emphasis palynostratigraphic schemes for the North West Shelf, PNG Fold Belt, Gippsland Basin and Cooper/Eromanga Basins.

The course consists of a series of lectures which provide a concise review of palynomorph and micropalaeontological groups (including spore-pollen, dinoflagellate cyst, acritarchs, foraminifera, ostracods, and calcareous nannofossils) and their application in biostratigraphy and palaeoenviron- mental studies. Practical exercises on the analysis of these are designed to illustrate various techniques for geologic interpretation and construction of chronostratigraphic sections.

The course covers the use of biostratigraphic data in age determination, subsurface well-log correlation, unconformity identification, sequence stratigraphic analysis, formation “fingerprinting” and both palaeobethymetry and palaeoenvironmental interpretation. Use of biofacies and palaeogeographic maps to reconstruct depositional sequences and predict reservoir and seal-prone intervals will be covered. Operational aspects include well-site palynology, biosteering in development wells and palynological sample selection criteria. Problems associated with the geological interpretation of palynological data are highlighted and include the factors affecting data quality (oxidised sequences, over-mature sequences, sample quality, sample processing) and age interpretation (reworking, caving, data set provenance and vintage).

Upon completion of the course students will be able to construct a chronostratigraphic section for a basin using palynological or micropalaeontological data abstracted from well completion reports, identify micropaleontological events critical to dating and correlating a set of wells, use biofacies and palynofacies interpretations to predict reservoir and seal, compile the geological history of an area based on the subsurface distribution of palynozones, and interpret source-rock and maturity relationships using spore colour data, kerogen type and organic yield.

This course is not assessed.

Concepts of Sequence Stratigraphy (Core)

Two days: Presented by Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

Sequence stratigraphy is one of the vital tools available to petroleum geologists and geophysicists as it provides a predictive framework for understanding sedimentary basin fill, and integrates seismic, wireline log, core and outcrop data. The first part of the course reviews the fundamental principles of stratigraphy and basic processes controlling sedimentation including accommodation, sediment supply, parameters influencing changes in base level and relative sea level, and the stratigraphic patterns produced from changes in the ratio of accommodation versus sediment supply (transgressions and regressions). The second part focuses on stratigraphic patterns. The phenomenon of sedimentary cycles is investigated at various scales (cyclothems, parasequences, progradational, aggradational and retrogradational stacking patterns). The third part deals with key surfaces (unconformities, erosion surfaces, flooding surfaces, maximum flooding surfaces), depositional sequences (Exxon, Galloway and hybrid approaches), and depositional systems tracts at various scales. The final part of the course builds a practical methodology for interpreting seismic, well log, core and biostratigraphic datasets, building the skills to prepare sequence stratigraphic frameworks that are useful for prediction of reservoir, source and seal in a petroleum system.

A variety of practical exercises are undertaken during the course, and these, together with a section in the combined sedimentology/stratigraphy exam, form the basis of assessment.

Reservoir Scale Sequence Stratigraphy (Core)

Three days: Presented by Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

This practical course demonstrates the use of wireline log and core data to build high resolution sequence stratigraphic frameworks at the reservoir scale in a variety of depositional systems. It will include exercises and a core workshop. It will be assessed by marking the exercises, and a section in the combined sedimentology/stratigraphy exam.

Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy (Core)

Two days. Presented by Assoc Prof Bruce Ainsworth, ASP.

Seismic data is a key tool for interpreting basin fill, and this course develops the basic knowledge of seismic interpretation of key surfaces (seismic reflectors) and their significance as chronostratigraphic markers. A system for recognising and classifying the different types of surfaces will be developed, to recognise key features of sedimentary architecture and seismic sequences. The seismic sequences are then interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphic concepts to build a predictive framework useful for identifying petroleum systems and basin history.

Practical examples using 2D and 3D datasets will form the basis of the assessment, together with a section in the combined sedimentology/stratigraphy exam.

Structural Geology

Structural Geology (Core)

Four days: Presented by Dr Kevin Hill, consultant.

This course will be run as a hands-on workshop introducing the basic principles of structural geology and focusing on the main structural geometries seen on seismic data and in outcrop in the oil industry. The emphasis is on developing a workflow to allow exploration and production geologists and geophysicists to assess structural style and produce a valid structural interpretation, whilst recognizing the existence of alternate valid structural interpretations. The course will introduce the structural styles associated with extension, compression, inversion and strike-slip or salt diapirism. For most structures, examples will be shown from both seismic data and as seen in outcrop. Frequent short exercises, interpreting seismic data and outcrop images, will reinforce the theory presented.

Most hydrocarbon prospects are critically dependent upon structural interpretation yet routine validation of the interpretation is rare. Hence the workshop will concentrate on practical methods to define the relationships between faults, folds, sedimentary packages and regional elevation and how they can be used predictively to validate an interpretation and hence a prospect. Emphasis is placed on the ‘Structural Family’ present in an area, which depends strongly on the basement architecture and tectonic history. Seismic and field examples are drawn from the Timor Sea, Bass Strait, the Taranaki Basin, Indonesia, Watchet, the Otway Basin, Cape Liptrap, the Pyrenees, the Canadian Rockies and PNG amongst others.

Assessment will be by an exam conducted on the last afternoon of the course.

Petroleum Geomechanics (Core)

Three days: Presented by Prof. Richard Hillis, ASP.

This course covers basic rock and fault mechanics and the determination and application of in situ stress data in the oil patch. The section on basic rock mechanics covers forces, stress and strain and Mohr's circle of stress. The section on basic fault mechanics covers failure envelopes, fault/fracture meshes, and the Andersonian classification of faults. The significance of pore pressures and law of effective stress are presented. The origin of stresses in the crust are reviewed: specifically reference states of stress, tectonic stresses, plate tectonics, and regional and local sources of stress.

The course then moves specifically to the oil patch, reviewing methods for determining the in situ stress field from standard oil exploration data: overburden stress, horizontal stress orientation, borehole breakouts, drilling-induced tensile fractures, image logs, horizontal stress magnitudes, formation integrity, leak-off and hydraulic fracture tests, fracture gradient relations, and frictional limits on stress. Finally, the applications of in situ stress data in the oil patch are discussed, specifically: interpreting recent tectonic style, structural permeability, optimum development of naturally fractured reservoirs, predicting fault reactivation/seal breach, hydraulic fracture stimulation, deviated and horizontal wellbore stability.

The course will be assessed by an examination.

Field Trips

Amadeus Basin Field Trip (Core)

Eight day field trip: Lead by Assoc Prof Bruce Ainsworth and Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

The Amadeus Basin, a Late Proterozoic to Mid Palaeozoic basin in central Australia, is host to two significant oil and gas fields (Mereenie and Palm Valley). The aim of this trip is to study the evolution of the basin under different tectonic regimes from a sequence stratigraphic and petroleum systems perspective. It will focus on changing depositional environments along key measured sections and the relationship between sequence development and basin structuring through time.

The trip makes a traverse across the basin, beginning in the Arunta thrust complex near Alice Springs. Then it examines the Late Proterozoic early rift-related fluvial, evaporitic and glacial successions, followed by various thermal sag-related? carbonate and clastic successions. We then examine the Early Palaeozoic Pacoota-Stairway reservoir-prone fluvial-shoreline successions accessible via the Ellery Creek and Glen Helen Gorge sections in the West MacDonnell Ranges. The trip then moves south to the Devonian syn-tectonic Pertnjara alluvial fan and fluvial successions. We visit the Gosses Bluff impact feature enroute to southern outcrops of repeated Pacoota successions exposed in the Gardiner Range, and the shallow marine Mereenie successions in Kings Canyon. Finally we travel to Yulara to inspect the Mutijulu Arkose at Uluru (Ayers Rock) and related coarse clastics at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) before returning to Alice Springs.

The trip will be assessed by a number of exercises conducted in the field.

Morialta Field Trip (Sedimentology & Sequence Stratigraphy) (Core)

One day field trip: Lead by Assoc. Prof Bruce Ainsworth and Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

The purpose of this trip is to provide an interesting geological sojourn through the lower Adelaide Hills where we can observe the spectacular geology of the thrust front in this southern extension of the Adelaide Geosyncline. Although the rocks are actually pre-Cambrian low-grade metamorphics (quartzites and slates), and not pristine sedimentary strata, it is surprising just how many of the original sedimentary structures are preserved. This being the case, we will go through the tidally-influenced deltaic, dolomitic tidal flat and shelf successions, outlining salient aspects of the sedimentary geology, and the sequence stratigraphy. Because of the metamorphism, the rocks have poor reservoir quality at this locality, but give a very good insight into the sediment architecture of reservoir rocks from similar environments of deposition.

The trip will be assessed by a practical exercise conducted in the field.

Maslin Beach Field Trip (Depositional Environments and Reservoir Quality (Core)

One day field trip: Lead by Assoc. Prof Bruce Ainsworth and Dr Boyan Vakarelov, ASP.

On this trip we will view the spectacular Tertiary and Quaternary outcrops exposed along the Aldinga Embayment. The succession exhibits a range of depositional environments and early diagenesis which leads to varying reservoir quality. We will start off at the northern end of Maslin Beach looking at the modern beach as a depositional environment and reservoir analogue. We then walk to the cliffs exposing the South Maslin Sands – time equivalents to the ones cored in the Adelaide University-1 well. Here we will map the exposed rocks, and discuss their reservoir quality and potential. A walk and drive through the Eocene Maslin Sand and the overlying succession will bring us to the carbonates of Blanche Point, and lets us discuss the basin fill history.

The trip will be assessed by a practical exercise conducted in the field.

Exploration and Production Operations Field Trip (Core)

Two to three days: Leaders to be announced

Students travel to an area of exploration/development to visit a drill rig on site, and operations at production facilities and processing plants. Students have the chance to observe operations in the field and gain practical understanding, which complements the drilling operations course. The trip will only go ahead if a drilling rig is operating at a location which can be accessed easily from Adelaide. In the last few years, it has been run as a weekend trip to the Otway Basin in the southwest of Victoria. Notice of the trip may be short (possibly only a few days), depending on whether the rig is running to schedule, and it may fall in the second half of the year, outside of the coursework program.

This course is not assessed.

Reservoir Geology

Evaluation of Reservoirs and Seals (Core)

Three days: Presented by Prof John Kaldi, ASP.

(NB this course is also taken by fourth year petroleum engineering students as part of PE4003 Development Geology.)

This practical workshop-style course demonstrates how basic geological and engineering data can be used to evaluate reservoir rock quality, fluid saturations and contact depths, transition zone thickness and seal capacity (ie the maximum hydrocarbon column a seal can hold before it leaks). The course comprises lectures, case histories and several hands-on exercises to be completed in class and as assignments. Students will work in teams for most exercises. The various components of the course include:

• Introduction to evaluation of reservoirs and seals.
• Discussion of uses of capillary principles in reservoir evaluation; fundamentals of capillarity: buoyancy vs. capillary pressure; wettability; contact angles; derivation of capillary pressure equations; definition of Free Water Level; description of mercury injection apparatus.
• Discussion of the effects of pore geometry (size, shape, distribution of pores and pore throats) on relative permeability and capillary pressure. Relation of these properties to amounts, types and rates of fluids produced. Use of drainage and imbibition capillary pressure data to evaluate recovery efficiency of reservoirs on primary depletion as well as to judge the distribution of remaining fluids prior to secondary production.
• Demonstrate application of integrated petrophysical and geochemical techniques in evaluation of seal potential in top seals (case history from offshore NW Java, Indonesia); review critical paths for determining whether faults are conduits or seals.
• Review concepts of top seal, "sealing" faults and "leaking" faults through a number of case studies from Indonesia and Australia.
• Review conventional methods of determination of net pay in a reservoir and demonstrate some improved techniques using data from core, sidewall core, cuttings, conventional plug measurements (porosity and permeability) in conjunction with capillary pressure data.

The course is assessed by marking exercises, and a combined Reservoirs and Seals/Development Geology exam.

Development Geology (Core)

Two days: Presented by Prof John Kaldi, ASP.

(NB this course is also taken by fourth year petroleum engineering students as part of PE4003 Development Geology.)

This course aims to bring together the disciplines of geology, geophysics, and reservoir engineering to provide an integrated approach to developing oil and gas fields. The primary focus of the course is on the role of the geologist in a multidisciplinary team environment. Evaluation of Reservoirs and Seals is a pre-requisite for this course.

Lectures and class exercises develop a working knowledge of the concepts and tools used in field development. The various phases of a field's history are discussed and illustrated through both case histories and problems/exercises. Topics to be covered include:

• Exploration (fairway recognition, prospect ranking, well location selection).
• Discovery and initial appraisal (well results compared and calibrated to pre-drill maps and seismic data).
• Primary development (compartmentalisation, reservoir properties).
• Full appraisal (stepout locations, reserves and net pay evaluation, aquifer delineation).
• Development plans (recovery efficiency, relative permeabilities, water cuts).

The course is assessed by marking exercises, and a combined Reservoirs and Seals/Development Geology exam.

Core Description, Correlation and Reservoir Modelling (Geologists only)

Four days: Presented by Assoc Prof Bruce Ainsworth, ASP.

This course will teach the invaluable skills of examining and describing drill core in terms of sedimentology, reservoir quality, depositional environments, correlation and sequence stratigraphy. These skillsets form the basic elements that allow the geologist to generate depositional models and also to build 3D reservoir models. The course focuses on core description, well correlation, depositional model building and also discusses the basic principles of 3D reservoir modelling.

Practical exercises will form the basis of the assessment.

Subsurface Mapping (Core)

One day: Presented by Assoc. Prof Bruce Ainsworth and Andy Mitchell, ASP.

Contour map generation is a basic skill required for subsurface analyses. This one day course covers the skills required to hand generate contour maps from discrete data points and also the practicalities behind computer generated contour mapping.

This course is not assessed.

Reserve Estimation (Core)

One day: Presented by Gerry Carne, consultant.

(NB this course is also taken by third year and coursework Masters petroleum engineering students as part of PE3024/7048 Petroleum Exploration and Management.)

The course presents an introduction to the process of estimating hydrocarbon reserves. It begins by defining and distinguishing between hydrocarbons in place and the various categories of reserves. The volumetric method for estimating hydrocarbons in place is introduced, along with the basic data required, and some of the pitfalls in the approach. Estimation of recoverable reserves is the next topic, and this includes the definition of recovery factor, the factors which influence it, and methods which may be used once production has begun, such as decline curve analysis and material balance approaches. The course then looks in detail at the main factors in a volumetric estimate: structural definition of the field, reservoir continuity, estimation of reservoir porosity, permeability and saturation, and determination of limits and cutoffs. It concludes with a brief discussion of stochastic approaches to reservoir modelling.

This course is assessed in the combined Geostatistics/Reserve Estimation/Exploration Management exam.

Geostatistics (Core)

One day: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

This course provides the student with a brief introduction to the theory of regionalised variables, and the associated techniques for estimation and simulation of spatially correlated quantities. Parameters such as porosity and permeability may be better mapped and predicted, and the uncertainties in the estimates can be better understood, using geostatistical techniques (eg kriging, co-kriging and conditional simulation) than via conventional methods. This is because geostatistics explicitly accounts for the nature of the spatial variability of the parameter, as expressed in the semivariogram. Development geologists and reservoir engineers are making increasing use of these techniques to build more accurate reservoir models.

This course is assessed in the combined Geostatistics/Reserve Estimation/Exploration Management exam.

Reservoir Engineering (Core)

Two days. Presented by Prof Pavel Bedrikovetsky, ASP.

The aim of this course is to provide students with an appreciation of the role of the reservoir engineer. The major concepts used in reservoir engineering will be introduced, including:

• Fluid properties – reservoir fluids, phase diagrams, important fluid properties and their measurement or estimation, real gases vs ideal gases.
• Single-phase flow in rocks – Darcy’s Law, its applications and limitations, the diffusivity equation.
• Multi-phase effects – relative permeability, capillary pressure, wettability.
• Reservoir drive mechanisms
• Material balance – gas and oil material balance
• Introduction to reservoir simulation – fundamental equations, parameters, importance of integrated team approach

This course is not assessed.

Drilling and Formation Evaluation

Drilling Operations (Core)

One day: Presented by Prof. Richard Hillis, ASP.

The basic equipment and operations of rotary drilling (onshore and offshore) are discussed. Operations covered include adding drillpipe, the round trip, casing and cementing, completion, and fishing. Drilling problems, rate of penetration and sampling in the wellbore are also discussed. The role of drilling muds, oil- and water-based muds and the concept of the safe mud weight envelope are covered, as are the drivers for, and techniques of deviated and horizontal drilling. The practical exercise involves the analysis of mud weight densities, the determination of the safe mud weight envelope from leak-off testing and the basic principles of casing design.

The course is assessed by marking practical exercise, and the combined Drilling Operations/Wireline Logging exam.

Mudlogging (Core)

One day: Presented by Dr Ric Daniel, ASP.

This course introduces the mudlogging unit and sensing equipment set up. It also discusses the background and preparation of comprehensive mud logs. The course will cover the basic operations of mudlogging, including the analysis of drill cuttings, the extraction and monitoring of gas, the evaluation of hydrocarbon shows, causes of spurious sensor readings, and monitoring of the drilling operation. A brief introduction to offshore mudlogging, coring, drilling operations and potential hazards is also included. A short practical session on offshore well volume calculation and circulation times completes the course.

This course is not assessed.

Wireline Logging (Core)

Six days: Presented by Prof. Richard Hillis, ASP.

This course commences by covering the logging environment and basic temperature and caliper logging. It then covers the basic physical principles behind, and operation of, the major wireline logging tools, ie. self-potential, resistivity, gamma ray, sonic, density and neutron. The analysis of log data is covered both in lectures and with practical examples. The analysis techniques covered focus on the determination of fluid type from electrical logs and the determination of porosity from sonic/density/neutron logs. The interpretation of lithology from logs is also discussed. The final part of the course covers modern logs including resistivity and acoustic imaging tools and magnetic resonance tools.

The course is assessed by marking practical exercises, and the combined Drilling Operations/Wireline Logging exam.

Sample Analysis (Geologists only)

One day: Presented by Dr Ric Daniel, ASP.

Sampling methods, types of sampling equipment and sedimentary rock analytical techniques, available at the drilling rig-site and in the laboratory, are presented and discussed. A practical session will be run in the afternoon. This will involve using binocular microscopy to examine and describe drilling cuttings and compile a short lithological log. The possible environments of deposition and the reliability of the lithological logs will be discussed.

This course is not assessed.

Seismic Methods

Signal Analysis (Geophysicists only)

Five days: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

The aim of this course is to provide students intending to specialise in geophysics with the basic concepts and mathematical tools for understanding the techniques used in seismic acquisition and processing, and many other areas of geophysical analysis. After a review of the continuous and discrete Fourier transforms in one and two dimensions, including the Z transform and FFT, the course covers the sampling theorem and aliasing. It then presents convolution as the mathermatical expression of linear filtering, and its representation in both the time and frequency domains. Cross- and auto- correlation are discussed next, convolution and filtering. This is followed by a discussion of the phase properties of wavelets, which leads on to deterministic deconvolution and Wiener filter design. The course concludes with an introduction to 2D transforms, such as f-k and tau-p techniques. A series of problems and exercises is used to demonstrate the material covered in the lectures.

Although the emphasis is on concepts rather than mathematics, a basic level of mathematical knowledge is assumed, including some simple calculus, complex numbers, polynomials, and simultaneous equations.

Assessment will be by practical exercises and an examination.

Seismic Acquisition and Processing (Core)

Four days: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

This course is designed to give students with little or no background in these areas a basic understanding of the standard methods used in acquiring and processing seismic reflection data.

The course begins with a brief review of elastic waves and phenomena such as reflection, refraction, diffraction and attenuation which occur as these waves propagate through the earth.

The acquisition component outlines the equipment used (sources, detectors, recorders, etc.); survey design and typical acquisition procedures for land and marine surveys.

The processing component deals in a non-mathematical way with the processes used to convert field data to final section. In particular, velocity analysis, statics, CDP stack, deconvolution and migration will be discussed, as these are the basis of most conventional processing. Students taking the geophysics stream will miss this part of this course, because it is covered in greater detail in the Seismic Processing course. They will undertake a larger survey design exercise.

Assessment will be by marking of the practical exercises.

At the end of the course, students should have a basic understanding of the planning and acquisition of seismic surveys (both 2D and 3D), the processing of the resulting field data, and some appreciation of the impact that the acquisition and processing parameters may have on the interpretation of the data.

Seismic Processing (Geophysicists only)

Five days: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

This course is designed to give geophysics students a practical introduction to seismic data processing. The mornings are devoted to lectures, which cover all conventional aspects of the processing of seismic reflection data, beginning with 2- and 3- dimensional field geometries, digital tape formats, demultiplexing and editing, and finishing with the final processed data. The sequence of procedures and critical processing parameters are emphasized.

The afternoonsare reserved for practical work, in which small groups of students process a 2D seismic line from field tape through to migrated stack using an interactive interpretation package on workstations. This complements the lectures and provides an appreciation of the procedures and problems encountered in seismic processing.

Assessment will be by a report on the processing project and an examination.

Seismic Interpretation (Core)

Nine days: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

The aim of this course is to introduce geologists and geophysicists to the fundamentals of seismic interpretation. It therefore concentrates on structural interpretation, leaving stratigraphic and rock/fluid properties issues to the Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy and Advanced Seismic Interpretation courses.

Lectures are delivered in the morning. Topics covered include the convolutional model, seismic resolution, types and characteristics of seismic events, well to seismic ties, interpretation objectives and procedure, map production, velocity anomalies and depth conversion. Particular emphasis is placed on well ties, fault interpretation, and the requirement for an interpretation and the resulting maps to be internally consistent and geologically sensible.

The afternoons are devoted to , which comprises three major exercises: interpretation of 2D seismic data on paper, interpretation of 2D data on a workstation, and interpretation of a 3D survey on a workstation. The workstation exercises are conducted in small groups, allowing all students to gain hands-on experience. The practicals stress the effort and discipline involved in producing a self-consistent interpretation of horizons and faults by working on grids or volumes of data, rather than interpreting single lines.

Assessment will be by marking of the practical interpretations and an examination.

Advanced Seismic Interpretation (Geophysicists only)

Five days: Presented by Andy Mitchell, ASP.

This course presents to a number of concepts and techniques not covered in the Seismic Interpretation unit. Most of these deal with methods of extracting rock and fluid properties from seismic data. The material is pitched at an introductory level. Topics covered are seismically thin beds, direct hydrocarbon indicators, amplitude versus offset studies, seismic attributes, interpretation of velocities, and seismic inversion.

Assessment will be by marking of practical work.

Professional Skills

Exploration Management (Core)

Two days: Presented by Michael Frost, consultant.

(NB this course is also taken by third year and coursework Masters petroleum engineering students as part of PE3024/7048 Petroleum Exploration and Management.)

This course is designed to acquaint the student with oil industry structure, government agencies, legislation, joint ventures, and farm-ins and farm-outs. The economic portion of this course involves the understanding of cash flow, payout, profit to investment ratios, and time value concepts including rate of return and net present value. Aspects of industry and company performance, strategy formulation and the use of metrics are also covered. In addition, exploration decision analysis is presented with topics such as expected monetary value, risk, decision trees and simulation studies. A global outlook for the industry sets the context.

This course is assessed in the combined Geostatistics/Reserve Estimation/Exploration Management exam.

CV Preparation & Interview Skills (Core)

One day: Presented by Prof John Kaldi, ASP.

The course reviews the correct preparation of a CV and the manner in which to prepare for and what to expect in a job interview. This course is designed to review and improve the student's abilities in these areas, and mock interviews are conducted to simulate “the real thing”.

While this course is not assessed, CVs are critically evaluated and group feedback of mock interview is provided.

Presentation Skills (Core)

One day: Presented by Prof Richard Hillis, ASP.

(NB this course runs over separate two half days, and requires work between the two sessions. It is therefore unlikely to be suitable for industry attendees.)

Presentation skills are crucial to oil industry professionals. This course is delivered in two separate half-day sessions. The first session will go through the basic principles of giving good presentations, including the use and abuse of PowerPoint. Students will then prepare a presentation on a petroleum topic of interest to them, which they will present in the second session. The presentations will be critiqued by the class, based on the principles of presenting that have been discussed.

This course is not assessed.