Duration
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons : 15h Th
Techniques for extracting non-conventional hydrocarbons : 15h Th
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Geological and Mining Engineering | 5 crédits | |||
| Master of Science (MSc) in Geological and Mining Engineering (Co-diplomation avec l'Université polytechnique de Madrid) | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons : Pierre Cornet
Techniques for extracting non-conventional hydrocarbons : Xavier Limpens
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
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 learning unit
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
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.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
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
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
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)
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
Face-to-face.
Recommended or required readings
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet) :slide presentation, available in PDF format. Paper documents for case study workshops.
Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens) : paper copy only.
Assessment methods and criteria
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
Oral control of the course practical understanding, focussing on synthetic knowledge. Two questions (one on theory and one on exercise) including discussion on technical document. Time is given for preparation.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
Geology applied to the exploration of hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbon Geology (P. Cornet)
Pierre Cornet
Total Professeurs Associés (TPA), maître de conférence et collaborateur scientifique au Département de Géologie, unité de pétrologie sédimentaire de ULg (bâtiment B20)
tél. (privé): +32 (0)87 53 12 90
e-mail : pierrejcornet@gmail.com
Non Conventional Hydrocarbon Production Techniques (X. Limpens)
Xavier Limpens
TOTAL, Exploration et Production, secondee to KOC in Kuwait ;
tel : +965 9763 8813 ;
e-mail : xavier.limpens@total.com