Duration
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons : 15h Th
Additional theory and practice : 5h Th, 20h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in geology (120 ECTS) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons : Pierre Cornet
Additional theory and practice : Pierre Cornet
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
This course (in French) is the first part of a joint course intended for geologists and mining engineers and geologists entitled "Hydrocarbons in the energy transition" These first 15 hours given by Pierre Cornet constitute the introduction and is followed by a second part of 15 hours entitled "Techniques of extraction of unconventional hydrocarbons" given by Xavier Limpens.
For geologists, this same course also serves as an introduction to a complementary section of 25 hours section of theory and practical work on geological methods and techniques applied to hydrocarbon exploration.
Geology applied to Hydrocarbon Exploration (P. Cornet)
The course starts with an inventory of today worldwide oil and gas reserves and production figures, in comparison with alternative energy sources available, their utilization and predicted future development. Then follows a hydrocarbon chemical composition and genesis description, emphasizing on geological conditions necessary to achieve their maturation and accumulation (petroleum systems). Next comes a review of exploration methods and techniques: geophysics, well data analysis, prospect identification and reserves evaluation. The technical way of well drilling is also presented.
Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens)
Production methods for hydrocarbons, in general, are discussed: fluid flow properties , surface facilities, crude processing and refining. Emphasis is then set on specific operating techniques: deep sea, high pressure / temperature, heavy oils, oil and gas shales. The interaction with the environment is addressed through subjects related to energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and calculation, and CO2 capture and sequestration.
Additional theory and practice
This course (in French) is the second part of a course intended mainly for geologists entitled "Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons", itself included in the corpus "Hydrocarbons in the energy transition"
These 35 hours given by Pierre Cornet constitute a theoretical and practical complement addressing a more in-depth methodology for the evaluation of petroleum systems and the potential for the generation and encroachment of hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins, as defined in the first part. The evaluation of prospects and expected or discovered reserves constitutes the purpose of the course, with the concepts of economy and associated risks. Current techniques for drilling, completing and producing deposits are briefly presented at the end of the course.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
Geology applied to Hydrocarbons Exploration : introduction to the genesis of hydrocarbons and the formation of deposits; identification of petroleum systems, method of evaluating the potential of an petroleum basin, analysis and interpretation of drilling data.
Notions of seismic data acquisition and processing.
Additional theory and practice
knowledge:
source rock characterization, maturation and Hydrocarbons entrapment;
potential reservoir types and principles of petrophysical modelling;
statistical evaluation of a prospect potential reserves; oil business contracts, bases for economical evaluation;
drilling and completion devices, production principles; safety and environment concerns.
know how:
recognition of basin prospective areas;
oil-reservoir quality and reserves volume calculation;
risks and uncertainties in reserves evaluation.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
Geology applied to Hydrocarbon Exploration: general geology fundamentals, good knowledge of structural geology and sedimentology. basic geophysics.
Additional theory and practice
needs too have completed the first part (15 h.) of the course: Geology applied to Hydrocarbon Exploration.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
This first part of the course is spread over 15 hours including 10 hours of theoretical talk and 5 hours of workshop, organized as follows:
Introduction (1,5 hours): the energy transition context: worldwide statistical review of reserves, production and consumption figures for hydrocarbons and alternative energies, 2040 outlook; energy market: the oil industry workflow: exploration, production, refining, petrochemical products. An Internet querry on a subject of personal interest is requested.
Petroleum Systems (1 hour): fundamentals of source rocks, reservoirs and seals; conditions needed to allow hydrocarbons accumulations in traps.
Petroleum Basins (1 hour): characterization and dynamics of sedimentary basins allowing hydrocarbon generation and entrapment; identification areas of potential interest; petroleum potential maps concept. The 2 hours workshop allows to evaluate the petroleum systems in a real basin, to identify prospective areas and evaluate potential reserves.
Well Data Acquisition and Interpretation (3 hours): Rotary drilling method; sampling and samples analyses; technical basis, principles and interpretation of wireline well recordings (logs). Workshop: log interpretation fundamentals (3 hours).
Geophysics (4 hours): taught by Michel COURBE (TPA): Geophysical Methods (Seismic Reflexion) applications to oil industry exploration: acquisition techniques and processing.
Workshops : the documents used are real case studies in exploration areas.
Additional theory and practice
The course is spread over 25 hours including 16 hours of theoretical talk and 9 hours of workshop, organized as follows:
Complements of Geophysics (5 hours): taught by Michel COURBE (Total-TPA), seismic reflexion data interpretation.
Geochemistry and Source rock characterization (3 hours): organic composition and types of source rocks; maturation, generation and expulsion of hydrocarbons; characterization methods: various analyzes; definition of "kitchens" and calculation of petroleum generation potential (basin potential modelling). Workshop: geochemical "logs" interpretation, establishment of maturity maps and identification of "kitchens" (3 hours).
Reservoirs and Seals (3 hours): reservoir physical parameters and measurements of porosity, permeability, saturation, etc.; diagenesis and burial effects; review of tectono-sedimentary environments favorable to the formation of reservoirs, their zonation and geometry; field examples; paleogeographic distribution. Reservoir modelling principles. Vertical and lateral seals efficiency. Workshop: thin sections anlysis, core examples, log interpretation and correlation of logs (3 hours).
Prospectivity (3 hours): definition of areas of interest for Hydrocarbons, identification of "leads" and prospects, volumetric calculation of accumulations and potential reserves; risk assessment ; prospects ranking principles and parameters. Economicity, licenses acquisition, types of contracts. Workshop: prospect identification and reserves calculations (3 hours).
Drilling and production techniques (2 hours): principles of "rotary drilling", geological control, "logging" and tests; drilling rig types and deep water completion ; development principles
Workshops : the documents used are real case studies in exploration areas.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
Face-to-face.
Additional theory and practice
Face-to-face.
Recommended or required readings
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
slide presentation, available in PDF format. Paper documents for case study workshops.
Additional theory and practice
"Powerpoint" slide presentation, available in .pdf format. Paper documents for case study workshops, statements and solutions in .pdf
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
Oral control of the course practical understanding, focussing on synthetic knowledge. Three written questions are provided (theoretical geology, workshop exercise and seismic).Time is given for preparation (30 min.).
Additional theory and practice
Oral control of the course practical understanding, focussing on synthetic knowledge. Three written questions are provided (theoretical geology, workshop exercise and seismic).Time is given for preparation (30 min.).
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Energy context and exploration of hydrocarbons
Pierre Cornet
Total Professeurs Associés (TPA), maître de conférence and et collaborateur scientifique in Géology Department, Sedimentary Petrology Unit of ULiège (B20 building).
tél. (personal): +32 (0)497 55 08 28
e-mail : pierrejcornet@gmail.com
Additional theory and practice
Pierre Cornet
Total Professeurs Associés (TPA), maître de conférence and et collaborateur scientifique in Géology Department, Sedimentary Petrology Unit of ULiège (B20 building).
tél. (personal): +32 (0)497 55 08 28
e-mail : pierrejcornet@gmail.com