PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
Course Name Course ID Prerequisites
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY EPS342 ESR211
Course Description
Introduction to physical and chemical properties of oil and gas. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical methods of petroleum exploration (generation, accumulation, and migration of hydrocarbons). Classification of traps and reservoir studies. Timing of trap development relative to petroleum and migration. A brief review of the petroleum geology of Saudi Arabia.
Course Objectives
1. The course provides an overview of petroleum exploration from acreage selection through to final discovery of an oil or gas field.
2. It highlights the multi-disciplinary nature of the business, examines the tools and methods used in oil and gas exploration, and provides an understanding of the technical terminology.
General References for the Course: (Books/Journals…etc.)
Students in this course can read from:
1. Development Geology Reference Manual AAPG Methods in Exploration, No. 10, by Morton-Thompson, D., and Woods, A.M. 1993.
2. Elements of Petroleum Geology, 2nd Edition, by Selley, R.C., 1997. Academic
Press, San Diego, CA, USA.
3. Fundamentals of Petroleum, 4th Edition, by Van Dyke, K., 1997. Publisher:
Univ. of Texas at Austin Petroleum.
4. Hydrocarbon Migration and its Near-Surface Expression, by Schumacher, D., and Abrams, M.A., 1996. AAPG Memoir 66.
5. Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Exploration, Drilling and Production, 2nd Edition, by Hyne, N.J., 2001. Publisher: Pennwell Books.
6. Petrophysics: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties, 2nd Edition, by Tiab, D., Donaldson, E.C., 2003.
Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing.
7. Seals, Traps, and the Petroleum System, by Surdam, R.C., 1997, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Memoir, no. 67.
8. Journals of AAPG, Marine & Petroleum Geology, Organic Geochemistry, Petroleum Geology and GeoArabia
List of URLs for this Course
• www.sciencedirect.com
Course Outcome
Students are expected to study various related to petroleum exploration from acreage selection through to final discovery of an oil or gas field. Students will be familiar with the multi-disciplinary nature of petroleum geology, examine the tools and methods used in oil and gas exploration, and provide an understanding of the technical terminology.
Students are expected to learn the following:
1. Student can be abe to know why companies explore where they do (rock types and properties, geological models, prospectively); where oil and gas come from (source, seal, reservoir, generation, migration, trapping mechanisms); and how oil and gas fields are found (basin analysis, regional studies, play concepts, prospect generation).
2. Student can be able to encourage to work in a team, to stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving ability, and to foster initiative and self-discipline.
3. Student can be trained to give a competent technical presentation in English to a broad audience, as well as write reports in a concise and effective manner.
4. Student can gain skills necessary for identifying opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry.
