GPHY 2583 Introduction to Petroleum Geophysics

Course Outline:

The course is aimed at imparting knowledge on fundamentals of hydrocarbon resource exploration and

development using geophysical methods. A brief introduction of geological and geophysical principles

required for the course will be taught in Tulsa. Following this, seismic, gravity, magnetic and borehole

geophysics applied to hydrocarbon exploration will be taught on site at Universidade Federal Do Rio

Grande Do Norte in Natal, Brazil. The main focus of the course will be on discussing seismic, gravity

and magnetic methods of exploration, along with selected well logging tools, for mapping the

sedimentary column and basement features.

Reference Book:

Applied Seismology: A Comprehensive Guide to Seismic Theory And Application by Mamdouh R.

Gadallah and Ray L. Fisher (ISBN-13: 978-1593700225 ISBN-10: 1593700229)

Course Topics:

1. Introductory Geological and Geophysical Principles

Earth history, plate tectonics, structure, stratigraphy, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic

rocks

Organic matter, maturation, migration, hydrocarbon traps

Gravity and magnetic principles

Waves – amplitude, frequency, phase

Reflection, refraction and diffraction

Elastic properties of materials, Hooke's law, seismic waves, seismic velocity

2. Outline of geological field mapping

3. Outline of geophysical exploration

4. Gravity-magnetic survey to map regional tectonic features

5. Seismic Exploration

Seismic Data Acquisition - 2D & 3D

Seismic sources, seismic receivers – land, marine and transition zones

Seismic data processing for improving resolution and reducing noise

Borehole geophysics

Seismic data interpretation – structure, stratigraphy

Reservoir identification, development and production

4D seismic and reservoir monitoring

6. Unconventional hydrocarbon resource exploration

Learning Outcomes: The primary objective of the class is to provide an overview of the field of

applied geophysics, and the use of geophysics in understanding complex geological and petroleum

systems. Students who complete the course will understand:

Earth history, plate tectonics and the fundamental principles of geology.

The evolution of petroleum and the fundamental principles of petroleum systems.

The application of geophysical methods to understand petroleum systems.

The basis of seismic data acquisition.

The basic principles of petroleum geology in exploration and production.

In addition, students who complete the course will be able to:

Read and interpret well logs,

Interpret seismic data in complex systems – in 2D and 3D cases,

Determine rock and fluid properties from logs and seismic data,

Design shallow geophysical surveys and interpret the acquired data.

Map subsurface data.

Develop models and plays in complex petroleum systems.

The intent of the course is to give students an introduction to the science of geophysics in an intensive,

4 week course that also provides a significant cultural and language experience. The course will allow

students to explore the commonalities between the petroleum systems around the world, and to develop

the important interconnections between science, language, culture and energy.

Grading: Class quiz, assignments, one mid-term exam, one final project presentation.

Class quizzes and challenges – 10%

Assignments – 30%

Mid-term exam – 30%

Final project – 30%

Quizzes and Challenges: Quizzes and challenges will be given throughout the course to assess

student learning and to make sure that students understand the fundamentals of geophysical

analysis. These fundamentals and principles are critical for successful completion of the final

project.

Assignments: Short assignments will be given throughout the course to provide practice and to

develop practical problems solving skills related to the course content. These may be in the

form of problem sets or practical field/acquisition exercises. The assignments are designed to

allow students to develop a deeper understanding of principles discussed in the class.

Mid-term: The mid-term examination will be given on site, and will assess student learning, and point

out any areas of weakness in student learning.

Final Project: The final project is a complete analysis and geophysical characterization of a complex

petroleum system. The results of the project will be presented in Rio de Janerio to leadership at

PETROBRAS. The presentations will be in the form of both poster and oral discussion of

hypothesis, methods, results, and recommendations.

Class Participation: Full participation in the class and all associated activities is expected throughout

the semester. Given the intensive schedule, students must be engaged in all classroom

discussions, lessons, field excursions and activities. Attendance in all activities is mandatory.

Tentative Geophysics Course outline

Day Concepts/Topics

1 Introduction to Geology, basic concepts of physics, and geophysics

2 Rock types, basins, earthquakes and seismic waves

3 Basic concepts of petroleum; gravity, magnetics and mapping

4 Traps, geophysical interpretation of gravity and magnetic data

5 Well logs and log interpretation

6 Fundamentals of seismic data

7 Reflection seismic data

8 CDP data acquisition and seismic velocity

9 Seismic data acquisition

10 Seismic data processing to improve resolution

11 3D seismic data, structural mapping; case studies

12 3D seismic data, stratigraphic mapping; case studies

13 Contouring and depth conversion

14 Quantitative geophysical data analysis (post stack, impedance, porosity, …)

15 Quantitative geophysical data analysis (prestack, amplitude vs offset, …)

16 Using seismic attributes to map structure in the subsurface; case studies

17 Using seismic attributes to map stratigraphy in the subsurface; case studies

18 3-component seismic, reservoir mapping; case studies

19 4D seismic, monitoring; case studies

20 Unconventional resources; case studies

21 Project work

22 Project work

23 Project work

24 Project work

25 Final presentation