Geology and Field Development: The Geologist in relation to the other Disciplines


Trainer(s): Evert Uitentuis
Duration: 5 days

Business context

The objective of this course to improve communication between the various disciplines within the Petroleum Engineering team dealing with the sustainable development of hydrocarbons. Starting with the initial planning phase, the definition of data gathering procedures, drilling of wells, reservoir production monitoring and finally abandonment will be dealt with.

Who should attend?

Geologists, Petroleum Engineers dealing with field development and data gathering (Logs, Cores, Well Tests). Alternatively, the course can be given specifically to Geologists covering less known activities. 

Prerequisite: On-the-job experience (2 - 4 years), Basic Applied Petroleum Engineering.

Course content

Development Geological Process - Field Development Planning - Managing Uncertainty - General Geological Concepts - Basic Petroleum Engineering - Development Planning (Wells:  Location & Spacing) - Data Gathering (Seismic - Logs - Cores - Well Tests - Production) - Reservoir Properties (Porosity - Permeability - Clay Chemistry) - Reservoir Stimulation (Fraccing - Perforating - Acid Treatment) - Well Abandonment

Learning, methods and tools

Improved communication is often a result of practice; hence a significant part of this course will comprise of (team) exercises where the emphasis will be on understanding how to effectively and rationally define and plan a (subsurface) project. At the end of the course participants should be aware of their role in the project team. In addition, they should be familiar with what one can ask a geologist and visa versa, what a geologist can expect from the other disciplines.

Improved communication leads to better, safer, more efficient and more cost-effective projects. 

Day by day program

Day1

  • Introduction and Historical Background
  • Project Teams & Development Life Cycle
  • Field Development Planning
  • Integrated Field Exercise:
    • Outline of Project Objectives
    • Social, Geographical and Permitting
  • Data Gathering and Interpretation
    • Seismic, Drilling and Logging
  • Representation of Data
    • Mapping Techniques (Maps and Sections)

Day 2

  • Basic Geological Disciplines
    • Stratigraphy,
    • Petroleum Geology
    • Sedimentology,
    • Stratigraphy,
    • Structural Geology
  • Integrated Field Exercise: Constructing the Subsurface Model
    • Top Reservoir Map
    • Gross Thickness Map
    • Reservoir Trends
    • Fluid Contacts
    • Volumetric Estimates + Uncertainty

 

Day 3

  • Development Planning and Execution
    • Appraisal Drilling – Reduction of Uncertainty
  • Integrated Field Exercise
    • Preparation of Production Profile
    • Establishing of Number and Type of Wells (Prod, Inject.)

Day 4

  • Integrated Field Exercise
    • Definition of Number and Type of Production Facilities
    • Selection of Evacuation Routes
    • Production (Impacts on Geological Model)
  • Field Abandonment: What is the role of the Geologist?
  • Oil Field Economics   
    • Capex and Opex, Discounting, NPV
    • Calculation of Economic Viability

Day 5

  • Integrated Field Exercise
  • Finalization of Integrated Field Exercise
  • Close Out