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Introduction to Petroleum Geology (GEOL90048)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
August
Overview
Availability | August |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This course is taught from first principles and assumes only a basic knowledge of geology. The course introduces the different types of oil and gas and where they occur in the world, and covers the nature, origin and occurrence of oil source rocks, ie. where the oil originates. The migration of oil from source rocks to reservoir is discussed as well as the nature of reservoir rocks and seals – how the oil and gas are trapped. The sedimentary environments of reservoirs and source rocks are pointed out and analyzed on seismic data, so that areas of high potential for oil exploration can be assessed. The basic principles of seismic interpretation are covered as well as interpretation of electric logs. On a regional scale, the origins of sedimentary basins are reviewed with a discussion of those likely to be prospective for oil and gas and those likely to be barren. The exploration strategy of oil companies is considered, including risking prospects and a simple economic analysis. Finally, oil shales and tar sands are examined as the likely source of oil and gas later in this century.
The practical part of the course involves examining seismic lines, logs, burial history curves and core (if possible) from the Drummond Basin in Queensland to assess its hydrocarbon potential. The practical continues over 5 days and culminates with each participant writing a short geological report reviewing the potential of the basin and making a recommendation to management about how the company should proceed. The course also includes mapping the giant Hides gasfield in Papua New Guinea and carrying out a volumetrics analysis. The course includes real exploration examples from the Canadian Rockies, Devonian reefs, the Papuan Fold Belt and inversion anticlines in Australia and SE Asia amongst others.
Intended learning outcomes
- Develop an understanding the nature and origin of petroleum and petroleum source rocks
- Learn exploration techniques and the characteristics of petroleum deposits
- Conduct seismic interpretation to define the structure of deposits
- Learn how to interpret and identify unconventional oil reserves
Generic skills
- Exercise critical judgement
- Undertake rigorous and independent thinking
- Adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks
- Develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills
- Work as part of a team
- Interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
A knowledge of third-year geology is recommended.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
A detailed core description and interpretation of sedimentary environments (20%), a brief assessment of geochemical analyses and geohistory plots(20%), a seismic interpretation and map(20%), and a summary report on the hydrocarbon potential of the Drummond Basin(40%); <3000 words in total.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- August
Coordinator Kevin Hill Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 40 contact hours: 8 hours of lectures, 32 hours of pracs Total time commitment 68 hours Pre teaching start date 23 July 2018 Pre teaching requirements Pre-reading: Petroleum Geology chapter in Allen P.A. & Allen J.R. 1990 (or more recent editions). Basin Analysis. Teaching period 6 August 2018 to 10 August 2018 Last self-enrol date 25 July 2018 Census date 6 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 August 2018 Assessment period ends 10 August 2018 August contact information
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Petroleum Geology chapter in Allen P.A. & Allen J.R. 1990 (or more recent editions). Basin Analysis.
- Subject notes
Students should bring the following equipment to all practicals: Hand lens, calculator, ruler, coloured pencils, sharpener, eraser.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022