ESC 415 Petroleum Geology

This course is an introduction to the elements and processes of petroleum systems, the geological and geophysical methods used in petroleum exploration, and the importance that petroleum has played in emerging and industrial economies. Topics include the origin of oil and gas, source rock characterization, expulsion and secondary migration, reservoir characterization, traps, seals, subsurface methods of seismic stratigraphy and petrophysical logging techniques, and basin analysis. Students will give oral presentations of case histories of producing fields worldwide and prepare a written report on an assigned project. Lab provides an introduction to geophysical well logging methods (petrophysics) for evaluating oil and gas wells. Field trips probable. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ESC 310.

Credits

4