After completion of the course, the student:
- has obtained an in-depth understanding of the various concepts and techniques applied to predict the origin and distribution of hydrocarbons in the subsurface;
- has gained a realistic view of the position of various fossil resources in the past, present, and future energy mix
- is capable of evaluating the present-day status of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation with an eye on future developments;
- has developed various practical skills to interpret hydrocarbon plays; 4-dimensional reconstructions, economic aspects, risks, logistics
- shows an academic, professional and critical attitude towards environmental, economic and/or social impacts of fossil resources and is able to formulate this opinion in an academic report and in an oral presentation.
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This course focuses on the basics of the geology and geophysics for oil- and gas-exploration and production, the historical, (micro-and macro) economical and societal aspects of petroleum science and the new developments within the industry for future exploration of fossil resources (including geothermal energy, shale gas, oil enhanced recovery). It will give a realistic, holistic but baseline understanding of the position of hydrocarbons in our energy mix. Aspects covered include physical requirements and risks for/in finding and producing oil or gas, societal and environmental consequences of petroleum production, possible future scenarios and consequences. After the introductory weeks, teaching will be mostly carried out by experts in their field, and give their state-of-the-art on the following subtopics:
Part 1 Past:
- Geological parameters of conventional petroleum systems (deposition, trap, charge, reservoir)
- Studying the subsurface: Looking through time and space
Part 2 Present:
- Current exploration and exploitation of conventional hydrocarbons
- Environmental impacts and solutions (incl. technological developments and health, safety and environmental management)
- Using empty reservoirs for storage of CO2 (CCS; chances and risks)
Part 3 Future:
- Unconventionals: coal bed methane, tight gas and shale gas
- Alternatives: geothermal energy
Academic skills:
Next to smaller assignments and practicals, the main assignment of the course requires you will perform in a small team a small literature research on a topic related to fossil Resources, the process of which you will report in 2 progress reports, and the end result of your research will be presented in an oral presentation. The exercise is constructed such that you maximize the development of certain essential transferrable skills:
- Leadership skills: you need to delegate, evaluate and make decisions about directions of your research
- Team work: the research and presentation exercise requires you work in a team, and integrate individual efforts. Other practicals in this course also are done in teams
- Written communication: practicals need to be reported on in written reports, 2 progress reports need to be made, all will be returned with feedback which enables you to improve
- Problem-solving skills: many exercises during the course are case-studies in which you apply the theory just acquired.
- Verbal communication skills: the end presentation on your research allows you to develop your presentation skills, and will be peer-reviewed to maximize learning opportunities for the entire group
- Strong work ethics: assignments have strict deadlines
- Initiative: During the research-presentation assignment, you will initiate your own research
- Analytical skills: during practicals you will be challenged to use 3 dimensional understanding of the subsurface as well as developments through time (the 4th dimension). You will analyse actual well-log data, seismic profiles, drill core data and 3D subsurface structures.
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