Dr. Roger M. Slatt is the Director of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council.
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF TURBIDITES (GEOL. 614)
(TAUGHT EVERY OTHER YEAR)
Instructors: R. Slatt (CSM); P. Weimer (CU)
Course Objectives:To introduce the concepts of turbidite systems in petroleum exploration and development.
We will cover all aspects of turbidite systems from the regional exploration setting (2-D seismic data) to the reservoir scale (core, wireline log, outcrop, 3-D seismic). Turbidite systems are major petroleum reservoirs in many sedimentary basins in the world. They have good future exploration potential in both mature and frontier basins. The understanding of turbidite reservoir architecture has evolved considerably during the last decade, such that better reservoir description has improved reservoir performance in existing fields.
Class material will be presented through a series of lectures, laboratories, plus reading and discussion in class of various published papers. The first half of the course will cover the regional and detailed aspects of turbidite systems. This will be followed by a one week field trip where outstanding reserovir analogs can be studied in detail. A mid-term examination will follow.
Labs will involve hands-on experience in the interpretation of cores, well logs, and seismic data from various basins around the world. Exercises will provide experience in recognition of sedimentary facies, interpretation of depositional environments from cores and outcrops, seismic stratigraphic recognition of modern and ancient fans, and reservoir geology of turbidite deposits. Labs are designed to teach how to work with multiple data sets in turbidite systems with the ultimate goal of prospect generation and/or reservoir development. Short written reports, cross sections, log descriptions, and/or maps will be expected for most labs.
A one week field trip will be run to the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. We will visit and study world class exposures of Jackfork Formation turbidites. This trip is partially funded by petroleum companies, who usually send representatives, thus offering students exposure to industry interest/problems in turbidites.
There will be a six week project involving the analysis and write-up of group projects selected during the field trip; appropriate field work for the project will be completed at that time. This project will be graded on the maps, interpreted profiles, and final oral presentation. Results will be due just before the end of the semester. More information will be provided at a later date.
Grades will be assigned according to the following criteria:
Mid-term examination 25%, Class/field trip participation 15%, Lab exercises 35%, Final term project/oral presentation 25%.
GEOLOGIC RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION (GEOL. 613A)
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to (1) provide students with a comprehensive methodology for the characterization and analysis of petroleum reservoirs and (2) familiarize students with the major types of petroleum reservoirs. To accomplish this, principles and practice of characterizing reservoirs are presented in a hands-on format, using geologic and engineering data, including well logs, sample descriptions, routine and special core analyses, and well tests from a variety of petroleum reservoirs worldwide. These datasets are integrated into detailed characterizations, which then are used to solve practical oil and gas field problems.
Prerequisites: GEGN 438, GEOL 501, GEOL. 505/605 or equivalents. Course meets on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 9:00pm, 3 credits.
OUTLINE
| Aug. 27 | Introduction; Exercise on facies control of reservoir properties, mainly porosity and permeability (Slatt) |
| Sept. 3 | Subsurface structure and stratigraphic mapping (Slatt) |
| Sept. 10 | Estimating oil and gas volumes in a reservoir (Slatt) |
Through the rest of the semester, classes will be held every other week so as to allow adequate time for reservoir characterization exercises.
| Sept. 17 | Fluvial braidplain reservoir, Algeria (Slatt) |
| October 1 | Eolian reservoir, North Sea (Slatt) |
| October 15 | Turbidite reservoir, California (Slatt) |
| October 29 | Shoreface reservoir, Denver Basin (Slatt) |
| November 12 | Carbonate stratigraphic trap, Gulf Coast (C. Moore) |
| November 26 | Fractured reservoir, North Sea (Hurley) |
| December 10 | Final exam |
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