GY 440 Production Geology

Course Description The course focuses on formation of hydrocarbons and subsequent production methods. It explains the processes of aquifer formation and effects of diagenesis and reservoir continuity. Learning Outcomes By the end of this course the student should be able: • To explain accumulation amounts, migration and production techniques of hydrocarbons • To describe the processes governing the characteristics of reservoirs, including size and barriers of reservoirs • To use basic geological concepts and apply this knowledge to understand reservoir geology. Course Contents Physical characteristics of reservoirs: Porosity, Permeability: fundamental principles, permeability measurements and interpretation of permeability data. Relationship between permeability and porosity, sediment texture (shape, size, sorting, packing, orientation) and depositional processes. Effects of diagenesis and reservoir quality (effects of diagenesis on reservoirs including sandstone, carbonate atypical and fractured aquifers), Fluid flow in porous media, stress conditions in reservoirs, reservoir models Mechanical and chemical compaction , cap rocks (shales and salt) over pressure Recognition and description of hydrocarbon reservoirs in carbonate rocks; classification of carbonate porosity; capillary pressure curves and pore types; pore characteristics as proxies for permeability in reservoir modeling; techniques for mapping flow units.. Reservoir continuity: Depositional Barriers, Diagenesis barriers, Structural barriers), Reservoir characterization, Reserve calculations, Preliminary volumetric reserve calculations, post discovery reserve calculations. Production methods, water drive, gas cap drive Dissolved gas drive artificial lift and enhanced recovery. Monitoring of reservoirs. Delivery: 45 Lectures hours Assessment: Coursework 40% and Final Examination 60% Textbooks: 1. Selley, R.C. (1998). Elements of Petroleum Geology 2nd Edition, Academic Press. 2. Selley, R.C. (2000). Applied Sedimentology 2nd Edition, Academic Press. 3. Archer, J.S. and Wall, C.G. (1986). Petroleum Engineering Principles and practice, Graham and Trotman, London. 4. Timmerman, E.H. (1982). Practical Reservoir Engineering, Vols. 1 and 2. Penn. Well publishing Company Tulsa OK. 5. Ashton, M. (1992). Advances in Reservoir Geology, Spec. Publ. No 69 Geol Soc. London, London