Reservoir Evaluation Technology (GEO504)

Petrophysical evaluation and interpretation of geological formations are done to understand the storage capacity, fluid flow and reservoir characteristics required for hydrocarbon reserves estimation and implementation of production strategies. This evaluation is done by running a series of core-based measurements and wireline logging data interpretation that provide information about the petrophysical properties of rocks in subsurface layers. Practical projects from different fields/wells of Norway are given and students are introduced to industry relevant software for a full understanding of dealing with real data on different occasions. The principles behind petrophysical evaluation of rocks are relevant to oil and gas exploration, carbon geo-sequestration and geothermal reservoir characterization.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

GEO504

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

5

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

Petrophysics attempts to integrate core-based data analysis with the wireline logs data for a complete characterization and evaluation of hydrocarbon reserves in different geological formations. In the first part of the course, students work on Routine- and Special Core Analysis (RCAL/SCAL) concepts. Important reservoirs characteristics are introduced including porosity, permeability, saturation, pore size distribution, wettability and relative permeability- and capillary pressure functions. These parameters are directly relevant in reservoir simulation. Methods to perform relevant experiments and interpret the data to calculate these parameters are presented. Practical lab work is performed and calculations on data are performed with commercial industry relevant software. This is followed by the wireline logging section where interpretation of lithology and determination of petrophysical properties are presented on the field scale. Different precautions and corrections are delivered in this section and volumetric reservoir estimation are exercised through a real case study from a Norwegian field.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Interpret core data to derive petrophysical properties of rocks in laboratory.
  • Know the main experimental methods to determine key reservoir parameters.
  • Understand the wireline logging operations, data acquisition and quality control.
  • Interpret wireline logs data for volumetrics reserve estimation and quantification
  • Use appropriate software for interpretation of core, logs and well test data

Skills:

  • The candidate is able to perform core-based data analysis and wireline log data analysis for hydrocarbon reserve estimation.
  • Simulate different single- and multiphase flow experiments on core plugs.
  • Interpret experimental data to calculate petrophysical properties.
  • Use software to analyse different logs data for reservoirs characterization.

General competence:

  • Students should be able to analyse, and report their strategy for geological reserve estimation.
  • Be able to use industrial accepted software to implement their strategies for formation evaluation.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Reports and oral presentation

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Report 1 5/10 1 Months Letter grades All
Report 2 3/10 1 Months Letter grades All
Oral presentation 2/10 15 Minutes Letter grades All

Continuous evaluation.You must pass all parts to pass the course. All parts must be assessed in order to receive a grade. If you fail an assessment, you can retake it the following year. There are no continuation opportunities on the assessment parts. Students who wish to take these sections again must do so the next time the course has regular instruction.

Course teacher(s)

Course teacher:

Raoof Gholami

Course coordinator:

Pål Østebø Andersen

Study Program Director:

Lisa Jean Watson

Course teacher:

Pål Østebø Andersen

Study Adviser:

Karina Sanni

Head of Department:

Alejandro Escalona Varela

Method of work

3-4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of tutorial per week. Excel and Sendra (or similar software) will be used on weekly basis to do core analysis calculations. Interactive Petrophysics (IP) software will be used to practice and complete a project based on a set of real data from different fields in Norway.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Formation Evaluation (PET670_1) 5

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Data Science - Master of Science Degree Programme Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme City and Regional Planning - Master of Science Computational Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Computer Science - Master of Science Degree Programme Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences - Master of Science Degree Programme Environmental Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Structural and Mechanical Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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