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The Open University

Earth's physical resources: petroleum

The Open University via OpenLearn

Overview

This course covers the chemistry of petroleum, key ingredients for petroleum accumulation, exploring for oil and gas, petroleum production, safety and environmental considerations, oil and gas reserves, and non-conventional sources of petroleum. The learning outcomes include understanding the process of petroleum formation, exploration techniques, production methods, and environmental risks. The course teaches skills such as interpreting seismic data, evaluating well sites, and estimating reserves. The teaching method includes lectures, readings, and case studies. The intended audience for this course includes students and professionals interested in the petroleum industry.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 The chemistry of petroleum - what is petroleum?
  • 1 The chemistry of petroleum - what is petroleum?
  • 2 Key ingredients for petroleum accumulation
  • 2 Key ingredients for petroleum accumulation
  • 2.1 Petroleum charge
  • 2.1.1 Source rocks
  • 2.1.2 Kerogen
  • 2.2 Petroleum charge (continued)
  • 2.2.1 Maturation
  • 2.2.2 Migration
  • 2.3 Reservoir rocks
  • 2.4 Seals
  • 2.5 Traps
  • 2.6: Combining the ingredients
  • 3 Exploring for oil and gas
  • 3 Exploring for oil and gas
  • 3.1 Detection, exploration and evaluation
  • 3.1.1 Surface detection methods
  • 3.1.2 Remote sensing methods
  • 3.2 Detection, exploration and evaluation (continued)
  • 3.2.1 Seismic data and interpretation
  • 3.2.2 Exploration drilling
  • 3.2.3 Well evaluation
  • 4 Petroleum production
  • 4 Petroleum production
  • 4.1 Appraising the discovery
  • 4.2 Development options
  • 4.3 Production techniques
  • 4.4 Getting petroleum ashore
  • 5 Safety and the environment
  • 5 Safety and the environment
  • 5.1 Safety issues
  • 5.2 Environmental management
  • 5.2.1 Environmental risks
  • 5.2.2 Dealing with environmental issues
  • 6 Oil and gas reserves
  • 6 Oil and gas reserves
  • 6.1 Estimating reserves
  • 6.2 Reserves categories and reporting
  • 6.3 The global picture
  • 6.3.1 World oil statistics
  • 6.3.2 World gas statistics
  • 6.4 The UK context
  • 7 Non-conventional sources of petroleum
  • 7 Non-conventional sources of petroleum
  • 7.1 Oil sands
  • 7.2 Gas hydrates
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 4 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Earth's physical resources: petroleum

  • Profile image for Samy Iyke
    Samy Iyke

    course delves into the fundamental geological components of petroleum systems, unraveling the intricate journey from source rocks to oil and natural gas accumulations in sedimentary basins. Lectures explore plate tectonic settings, basin evolution, and the physical and geochemical characteristics of source, reservoir, and seal rocks. Labs reinforce concepts through project-based learning, including geophysical well log interpretation, petrophysical calculations, and map construction. The course synthesizes these elements into a coherent geological history, tracing the fate of organic matter from ecosystems to crustal preservation.
  • Profile image for Piere Canilandi
    Piere Canilandi
    "Earth's Physical Resources: Petroleum" is an illuminating educational journey that uncovers the intricacies of petroleum – a resource that powers the modern world. The course's high-quality content, interactive learning approach, and dedicated inst…
  • Profile image for SIAMAK ABBASI
    SIAMAK ABBASI
    It was a very excellent and informative course and it taught me good things about oil and environmental pollutants in the environment, prevention of pollutants and optimal use of the products of this valuable substance that serves humanity
  • Profile image for Andrade Carlos Ambrosio
    Andrade Carlos Ambrosio
    extremely interesting, I learned and developed new knowledge that will help in the intellectual development

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