Place in curriculum
The course Earth Resources forms an addition to the M-profile Exploration Geology, which is best linked with the MSc program Geology. The course is meant for students who are particularly interested in societal issues and problems associated with Earth’s natural resources, especially hydrocarbons.
Summary
Part 1: Trap Charge Reservoir (TCR)
In oil industry a reliable assessment of a prospect requires an accurate prediction of the presence, quality and type of Trap, Charge and Reservoir. The first part of this course will deal in seminar style with various techniques used to predict these parameters and will challenge underlying dogma.
- Trap: Trap styles in specific tectonic settings (salt related, thrust related, inversion related, etc.).
- Charge: Accurate prediction of charge is based on presence and distribution of source rock, modelling of source rock maturation, migration and timing of charge into the trap.
- Reservoir: Stratigraphy is the main technique employed to predict reservoir. Techniques used range from biostratigraphy, to sequence-, seismic- and event stratigraphy, and ultimately stratigraphic forward modelling.
Part 2: Advanced Natural Resources (ANR)
In our society there is a continuous demand of natural resources, e.g. in the energy and construction sectors. In this course we will deal with various state-of-the art techniques and procedures that are relevant for natural resource management. Subjects include: Hydrothermal alterations and ore deposits, Natural stone, Construction materials, etc.
Part 3: Petroleum Resources Module (PRM)
Despite our considerable knowledge about the Earth, it remains very difficult to predict where to find hydrocarbons. The basic problem is that resource-forming and capturing processes evolve at widely different spatial and temporal scales. Furthermore, society puts constraints on the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources. Exploration is (therefore) a multi-disciplinary subject: it involves geophysics, geology, geochemistry, engineering, economics and politics. In this part of the course, types of hydrocarbon resources are described along with conceptual models of their genesis.
Aims
By the end of the course, the student:
- obtained an in-depth understanding of the various concepts, tools and techniques applied to predict the distribution of trap, charge and reservoirs for oil and gas (part 1);
- obtained an in-depth understanding of the concepts, tools and techniques applied to Natural resource problems and solutions in general (part 2);
- obtained an in-depth understanding of conceptual models of the genesis of hydrocarbon deposits (part 3);
- has developed skills for pursuing a career in the resources industry.
Approach
Part 1 - TCR
This part of the course is a student seminar module. Participants will be expected to:
- give one presentation, on a chosen subject and based on a number of relevant papers;
- read one key paper as preparation for every presentation given by a fellow student;
- actively participate in discussions after oral presentations, by asking well-thought questions;
- prepare a short report on the presentation and discussion / suggestions made;
- assess the quality of selected reports of fellow students.
Part 2 - ANR
This part of the course is a guest seminar course. Participants will be expected to:
- attend all lectures given by guests;
- actively participate in class discussions, by asking well-thought questions;
- actively participate in practicals and make assignments;
- prepare short reports based on the ANR topics and/or practicals.
Part 3 - PRM
- attend all lectures given by guests;
- actively participate in practicals and produce reports related to these.
You will be informed per module about the key papers, character of the practical exercises or assignments, and the approach and expected content and style of the reports.
Assessment and grading
All oral presentations and written reports will be assessed and graded. In addition, the active participation in class discussions will be assessed. There is no written exam.
Weighing: TCR - 40%, ANR - 20%, PRM - 40%.
The final grade will be rounded off to the nearest whole (<6) or 0.5. You need 6 or higher to pass the course. In case the final mark ends up <5.5, one possibility will be given to repair (supplementary test / “aanvullende toets”). Character and content of this test will be decided upon in due time. If you pass the supplementary test, a final course grade of 6 will be recorded in the student progress administration system. Note that a non-rounded off final grade <4.00 implies a definite fail, i.e., no right to a repair assignment.
Approach
Part 1 - TCR
This part of the course is a student seminar module. Participants will be expected to:
- give one presentation, on a chosen subject and based on a number of relevant papers;
- read one key paper as preparation for every presentation given by a fellow student;
- actively participate in discussions after oral presentations, by asking well-thought questions;
- prepare a short report on the presentation and discussion / suggestions made;
- assess the quality of selected reports of fellow students.
Part 2 - ANR
This part of the course is a guest seminar course. Participants will be expected to:
- attend all lectures given by guests;
- actively participate in class discussions, by asking well-thought questions;
- actively participate in practicals and make assignments;
- prepare short reports based on the ANR topics and/or practicals.
Part 3 - PRM
- attend all lectures given by guests;
- actively participate in practicals and produce reports related to these.
You will be informed per module about the key papers, character of the practical exercises or assignments, and the approach and expected content and style of the reports.
Assessment and grading
All oral presentations and written reports will be assessed and graded. In addition, the active participation in class discussions will be assessed. There is no written exam.
Weighing: TCR - 40%, ANR - 20%, PRM - 40%.
The final grade will be rounded off to the nearest whole (<6) or 0.5. You need 6 or higher to pass the course. In case the final mark ends up <5.5, one possibility will be given to repair (supplementary test / “aanvullende toets”). Character and content of this test will be decided upon in due time. If you pass the supplementary test, a final course grade of 6 will be recorded in the student progress administration system. Note that a non-rounded off final grade <4.00 implies a definite fail, i.e., no right to a repair assignment.