GEOL0008-1 : Origin and production of hydrocarbons

University of Liege | Version française

Academic year 2014-2015

Value date : 12/05/2015

GEOL0008-1

Origin and production of hydrocarbons

Duration :

30h Th

Number of credits :

Master in Geological and Mining Engineering, research focus, 2nd year		2

Master in Geological and Mining Engineering, specialized approach, 2nd year		2

Lecturer :

Pierre Cornet, Xavier Limpens

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Course contents :

This course (in french) is proposed in two parts to the engineer students in master degree: 15 hours introductory given by Pierre Cornet and named "hydrocarbon geology" followed by 15 hours on production mechanism given by Xavier Limpens and called « Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques».

Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet)
The course starts with an inventory of today worldwide oil and gas reserves and production figures, in comparison with alternative energy sources available, their utilization and predicted future development. Then follows a hydrocarbon chemical composition and genesis description, emphasizing on geological conditions necessary to achieve their maturation and accumulation (petroleum systems). Next comes a review of exploration methods and techniques: geophysics, well data analysis, prospect identification and reserves evaluation. The technical way of well drilling is also presented.

Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens)
As a starting point, a worldwide review of the production and developed reserves of the non conventional oil is presented including future outlook. The « methodology to produce hydrocarbon in general » and the basis for « hydrocarbon numerical simulation in porous media » are reviewed. The petroleum and mining production techniques are described for the extra heavy oil.(cold and hot production) . The main refining process units are also explained. Finally an introduction to the deep offshore and unconventional gas is proposed.

Learning outcomes of the course :

Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet) : introduction to hydrocarbons genesis and accumulation processes and petroleum exploration techniques review.
Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens) : introduction to the non conventional oil production and in particular the heavy oil.

Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :

Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet) : general geology fundamentals.
Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens) : 15 first hours of " Hydrocarbon origin and production " (see above).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet)

This first part of the course is spread over 15 hours including 10 hours of theoretical talk and 5 hours of workshop, organized as follows:
Introduction (1,5 hours): worldwide statistical review of reserves, production and consumption figures; energy market: refining, petrochemical products, alternative sources. An Internet querry on a subject of personal interest is requested.
Petroleum Systems (1 hour): fundamentals of source rocks, reservoirs and seals; conditions needed to allow hydrocarbons accumulations in traps.
Petroleum Basins (1 hour): characterization and dynamics of sedimentary basins allowing hydrocarbon generation and entrapment; identification areas of potential interest; petroleum potential maps concept. The 2 hours workshop allows to evaluate the petroleum systems in a real basin, to identify prospects and evaluate potential reserves.
Well Data Acquisition and Interpretation (3 hours): Rotary drilling method; sampling and samples analyses; technical basis, principles and interpretation of well recordings (logs). Workshop: log interpretation fundamentals (3 hours).
Geophysics (4 hours): taught by Michel COURBE (TPA): Geophysical Methods (Seismic Reflexion) applications to oil industry exploration methods: acquisition techniques and processing; interpretation cases.
Workshops : the documents used are real case studies, focussed on the identification of hydrocarbon potential areas (petroleum systems) and well data recordings (logs).

Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens)
the course will have a total of 12 hours of formal presentation and 3 hours of workshop to work out exercises as follows :
1. Context (countries, resources, reserves and importance).
2. Fluids and sands characteristics and flowing properties.
3. Production techniques :
     3.1. Petroleum techniques (natural flow and steam injection); Sincor example in Venezuela.
     3.2. Mining techniques; example in Canada.
4. Surface facilities for the extra heavy oil process:
     4.1. Oil / water / gas separation.
     4.2. Oil / sand separation and water handling..
     4.3. Extra heavy crude transportation.
5. Crude oil refining: Sincor upgrader example.
6. Deep offshore production
7. Non conventional gas
     7.1. Gas shales
     7.2. Coal bed methane
     7.3. Hydrates
8. Business and environment evaluation:
     8.1. Cost estimate.
     8.2. Introduction to the economics.
     8.3. Environment impact assessment.

Workshops : the exercises are based on the main formulas for the hydrocarbon oil in place, reservoir flow and ultimate recovery.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Face-to-face.