Geology is the foundation of the petroleum industry. This two-day introductory course will provide non-geologists with a basic understanding of the principles used by petroleum geologists in the search for oil and gas. This course will review the process of petroleum exploration and the rationale behind the methodology. The class will introduce the non-geologist to the concepts, tools, techniques, and terminology used by geologists in the search for oil and gas. The tools and language of the petroleum geologist will be emphasized throughout the course. Understanding the vocabulary of petroleum geology will aid in communication between geoscience team members and those in other departments.

Topics include identifying and classifying rocks - source rocks, reservoir rocks, and seals; the origin, nature, and occurrence of oil and gas; the basic principles of petroleum systems; the difference between conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons; the methods used in studying geologic history and basin evolution; the relationship of depositional systems, sedimentology, stratigraphy, sedimentary facies, and reservoirs for oil and gas; structural geology, folding, faulting, and the formation of petroleum traps; surface and subsurface mapping methods; and the philosophy and methodology of subsurface exploration. Other topics touched on briefly include seismic methods, wireline well-logging and formation evaluation, geochemistry, and wellsite geology.

On successful completion of this course students will:

• Know the difference between the sedimentary rock types that are important in oil and gas.
• Have a basic understanding of petroleum systems, including the origin, source, reservoir, seal, traps, and the timing of oil and gas formation and migration.
• Understand basic principles of petroleum exploration and the “tools of the trade”.
• Understand the principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy that apply to the formation and location of hydrocarbon accumulations.
• Learn a straight forward method for estimating volumetric reserves.
• Learn the principles of mapping a subsurface reservoir.

Who Should Attend

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to petroleum geology for industry professionals with little or no geological background. Participants will gain an overall understanding of how geology influences hydrocarbon exploration, development, and production, making it ideal for land staff, geotechnicians, accountants, managers, administrators, IT professionals, and other support personnel. This course is for anyone who is geology-curious and wants to learn the concepts, tools, techniques, and terminology geologists use in the search for oil and gas.