Petroleum Geology 61.. - Texas A&M University

TEXAS A&M UNIVESITY COURSE SYLLABUS
Course title and number: Petroleum Geology 619
Term: Spring 2010
Meeting times and location: Tuesday-Thursday, 12:45-3:15 pm, Halbouty 327
Course Description and Prerequisites
Examination of the origin, migration, accumulation and trapping of petroleum through
the study of petroleum systems, including the properties of reservoir rocks. Emphasis is
on the tectonic, sedimentary, geochemical, and hydrodynamic processes and their
influence in petroleum generation, expulsion, migration and entrapment in sedimentary
basins. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical exploration techniques and tools used
in prospecting for petroleum are surveyed. Geologic interpretation of borehole logs and
fluid-pressure measurements and the role of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures in
oil accumulation are studied. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor; however,
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 306 and Structural Geology and Tectonics 312 are
highly recommended.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
The course is designed to provide the students with knowledge of the origin of petroleum
and experience with the techniques and tools used by a petroleum geoscientists in the
search for oil and natural gas. The course includes laboratory exercises designed to
simulate tasks comparable to those a petroleum exploration geoscientist would undertake.
Instructor Information
Name: Ernest A. Mancini
Telephone number: 845-2451
Email address: mancini@tamu.edu
Office hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 3:30-4:30 pm
Office location: Halbouty 102
Textbook and Resource Material
Reference book for the course is The Petroleum System-From Source to Trap, AAPG
Memoir 60 by L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow. In addition, supplemental reading material
will be provided.
Assigned Reading List
Berg, R.R., 1970, Method for determining permeability from reservoir rock properties:
Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies 20:303-317.
Berg, R.R., 1972, Oil column calculations in stratigraphic traps: Gulf Coast Association
of Geological Societies 22:63-66.
Berg, R.R., 1975, Capillary pressures in stratigraphic traps: Am. Assoc. Petroleum
Geologists Bull. 59:939–956.
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Biddle, K.T., and Wielchowsky, 1994, Hydrocarbon traps, in L.B. Magoon and W.G.
Dow, eds., The petroleum system-from source to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 219-236.
Claypool, G.E., and Mancini, E.A., 1989, Geochemical relations of petroleum in
Mesozoic reservoirs and carbonate source rocks of Jurassic Smackover Formation,
southwestern Alabama: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 73:904–924.
Embry, A.F., 2002, Transgressive-regressive (T-R) sequence stratigraphy, in J.M.
Armentrout and N.C. Rosen, eds., Sequence stratigraphic models for exploration and
production: evolving methodology, Emerging models and application history:
Proceedings of the 22 nd Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference: Gulf Coast Section
SEPM Foundation, p. 151-172.
Galloway, W.E., 1989, Genetic stratigraphic sequences in basin analysis I: Architecture
and genesis of flooding-surface bounded depositional units: Am. Assoc. Petroleum
Geologists Bull. 73:125-142.
Jordan, C.F., Jr., and Wison, J.L., 1994, Carbonate reservoir rocks, in L.B. Magoon and
W.G. Dow, eds., The petroleum system-from source to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 141-
158.
Katz, B.J., Mancini, E.A., and Kitchka, A.A., 2008, A review and technical summary of
the AAPG Hedberg Research Conference on origin of petroleum-biogenic and/or
abiogenic and its significance in petroleum exploration: Am. Assoc. Petroleum
Geologists Bull. 92:549-556.
Kingston, D.R., Dishroon, C.P., and Williams, P.A., 1983a, Global basin classification
system: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 67:2175-2193.
Kingston, D.R., Dishroon, C.P., and Williams, P.A., 1983b, Hydrocarbon plays and
global basin classification system: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 67:2194-2198.
Klemme, H.D., 1994, Petroleum systems of the world involving Upper Jurassic source
rocks, in L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds., The petroleum system-from source to trap:
AAPG Memoir 60, p. 51-72.
Magoon, L.B., and Dow, W.G., 1994, The petroleum system-from source to trap, in L.B.
Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds., The petroleum system-from source to trap: AAPG Memoir
60, p. 3-24.
Mancini, E.A., Aurell, M., Llinas, J.C., Parcell, W.C., Badenas, B., and Benson, D.J.,
2004, Upper Jurassic thrombolite reservoir play, northeastern Gulf of Mexico: Am.
Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 88:1573-1602.
Mancini, E.A., Badali, M., Puckett, T.M., Parcell, W.C., and Llinas, J.C., 2001, Mesozoic
carbonate petroleum systems in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, in R.H. Fillon, N.C.
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Rosen, P. Weimer, A. Lowrie, H. Pettingill, R.L. Phair, H.H. Roberts, and B. van Hoorn,
ed., Petroleum systems of deep-water basins: Global and Gulf of Mexico experience,
Proceedings of the 21 st Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference: Gulf Coast Section
SEPM Foundation, p. 423-451.
Mancini, E.A., Blasingame, T.A., Archer, R., Panetta, B.J., Haynes, C.D., and Benson,
D.J., 2004, Improving hydrocarbon recovery from mature oil fields producing from
carbonate facies through integrated geoscientific and engineering reservoir
characterization and modeling studies, Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation, Womack
Hill Field (Eastern Gulf Coast, USA): Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 88:1629-
1651.
Mancini, E.A., Katz, B.J., and Kitchka, A.A., (eds.), 2005, Origin of Petroleum Program
and Abstracts Volume: AAPG Research Conference, Calgary, 51 p.
Mancini, E.A., Li., P., Ramirez, V.O., Goddard, D.A., and Talukdar, S.C., 2008,
Mesozoic (Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous) deep gas reservoir play, central and eastern
Gulf Coastal Plain: USA, Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 92:283-308.
Mancini, E.A., Mink, R.M., Bearden, B.L., Mann, S.D., and Bolin, D.E., 1990,
Environments of deposition and petroleum geology of the Norphlet Formation (Jurassic),
Hatter's Pond Field, Mobile County, southwestern Alabama, in Sandstone Petroleum
Reservoirs: Springer-Verlag, p. 153-180.
Mancini, E.A., Mink, Robert M., Bearden, B.L., and Wilkerson, R.P., 1985, Norphlet
Formation (Upper Jurassic) of southwestern and offshore Alabama: Environments of
deposition and petroleum geology: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 69:881-898.
Mancini, E.A., Mink, R.M., Payton, J. W., and Bearden, B.L., 1987, Environments of
deposition and petroleum geology of the Tuscaloosa Group (Upper Cretaceous), South
Carlton and Pollard Fields, southwestern Alabama: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull. 71:1128-1142.
Mancini, E.A., Obid, J., Badali, M., Liu, K., and Parcell, W.C., 2008, Sequencestratigraphic
analysis of Jurassic and Cretaceous strata and petroleum exploration in the
central and eastern Gulf Coastal Plain, United States: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull. 92:1655-1686.
Mancini, E.A., Parcell, W.C., Ahr, W.M., Ramirez, V.O., Llinas, J.C., and Cameron, M.,
2008, Upper Jurassic updip stratigraphic trap and associated Smackover microbial and
nearshore carbonate facies, eastern Gulf Coastal Plain: USA, Am. Assoc. Petroleum
Geologists Bull. 92:409-434.
Mancini, E.A., Parcell, W.C., Puckett, T.M., and Benson, D.J., 2003, Upper Jurassic
(Oxfordian Smackover carbonate petroleum system characterization and modeling,
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Mississippi Interior Salt Basin area, northeastern Gulf of Mexico, USA: Carbonates and
Evaporites, 18:125-150.
Morse, D.G., 1994, Siliciclastic reservoir rocks, in L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds.,
The petroleum system-from source to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 121-140.
Posamentier, H.W., Jervey, M.T., and Vail, P.R., 1988, Eustatic controls on clastic
deposition I-Conceptual framework, in C.K. Wilgus, B.S. Hastings, C.A. Ross, H.W.
Posamentier, J. C. van Wagoner, and C.G.St.C. Kendall, eds., Sea level changes: An
integrated approach: SEPM Special Publication 42, p. 109-124.
Post, P.J., Harrison, P.F., Whittle, G.L., and Hunt, J.D., 2001, Mesozoic ultra-deep water
potential of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico-Conceptual play development and analysis, in R.H.
Fillon, N.C. Rosen, P. Weimer, A. Lowrie, H. Pettingill, R.L. Phair, H.H. Roberts, and B.
van Hoorn, ed., Petroleum systems of deep-water basins: Global and Gulf of Mexico
experience, Proceedings of the 21 st Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference: Gulf
Coast Section SEPM Foundation, p. 35-69.
Rowan, E.L., and Warwick, P.D., 2007, Thermal maturation history of the Wilcox Group
(Paleocene-Eocene), Texas: Results of regional-scale multi-1D modeling, in L. Kennan,
J. Pindell, and N.C. Rosen, eds., The Paleogene of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
basins, Proceedings of the 27 th Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference: Gulf Coast
Section SEPM Foundation, p. 714-743.
Salvador, A., 1991, Origin and development of the Gulf of Mexico basin, in A. Salvador,
ed., The Gulf of Mexico basin: Geological Society of America, Decade of North
American Geology, v. J, p. 389-444.
Sawyer, D.S., Buffler, R.T., and Pilger, R.H., Jr., 1991, The crust under the Gulf of
Mexico, in A. Salvador, ed., The Gulf of Mexico basin: Geological Society of America,
Decade of North American Geology, v. J, p. 53-72.
Sassen, R., 1990, Lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous Source Rocks in Louisiana and
Mississippi: Implications to Gulf of Mexico crude oil: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists
Bull. 74:857-878.
Waples, D.W., 1994, Maturity modeling: Thermal indicators, hydrocarbon generation,
and oil cracking, in L.B. Magoon and W.G. Dow, eds., The petroleum system-from
source to trap: AAPG Memoir 60, p. 285-306.
Warwick, P.D., Coleman, J.L., Hackley, P.C., Hayba, D.O., Karlsen, A.W., Rowan, E.L.,
and Swanson, S.M., 2007, USGS assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources in
Paleogene strata of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coastal plain and state waters, in L. Kennan,
J. Pindell, and N.C. Rosen, eds., The Paleogene of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean
basins, Proceedings of the 27 th Annual Bob F. Perkins Research Conference: Gulf Coast
Section SEPM Foundation, p. 2-43.
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Grading Policies
Grade Determination
Class exercises 30%
Mid-term examination 35%
Final examination 35%
Grade Scale
A grading scale of A=>90, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=

http://certmapper.cr.usgs.gov/rooms/we/index.jsp?thePage=include_results.jsp&subSetD
ocId={EA23CD2C-DC9E-4BE2-8653-598F6CAB8B98}&folderToggle=true
February 2: Lecture-discussion of petroleum systems.
Reading materials-Magoon and Dow (1994), Klemme (1994), Sassen (1990), Claypool
and Mancini (1989), and Rowan et al. (2007).
February 4: Lecture-discussion on chronostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy and
their application to identifying components of the petroleum system.
Reading materials-Posamentier et al. (1988), Galloway (1989), Embry (2002), and
Mancini et al. (2008).
February 9-11: Exercise-Make a preliminary evaluation of the hydrocarbon potential of
the sedimentary basin you have selected. Prepare a 1-page summary of your findings for
class on February 16.
Resource materials-USGS web site as listed above.
February 16-18: Lectures-discussion on the application of the concepts of sedimentary
basin types, petroleum systems and sequence stratigraphy to evaluating the petroleum
potential of the onshore Mesozoic salt basins in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Reading materials-Salvador (1991), Sawyer et al. (1991), Mancini et al. (2001), Post et
al. (2001), and Warwick et al. (2007).
February 23-25: Exercise-Make a preliminary determination of the petroleum systems
associated with the sedimentary basin you have selected using sequence stratigraphic
analysis. Prepare a 1-page summary of your findings for class on March 2.
Resource materials-USGS web site as listed above, class reading material and literature
search.
March 2-4: Lectures-discussion on field case studies illustrating an integrated approach
of using geological, geophysical, petrophysical, and engineering concepts and utilizing
well logs and cores, geochemical data, seismic sections, and subsurface mapping in
reservoir characterization and evaluation.
Reading materials- Berg (1970) and Mancini et al. (1985, 1987, 1990, 2004, 2008).
March 2: Mid-term examination.
March 9-11: Exercise-Field study involving well logs, preparing cross sections, and
constructing subsurface maps.
March 15-19: Spring Break
March 23: Lecture-discussion on sandstone reservoir facies and characteristics.
Reading material-Morse (1994).
March 25: Lecture-discussion on carbonate reservoir facies and characteristics.
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Reading material-Jordan and Wilson (1994).
March 30-April 1: Describe 2 cores (sandstone and carbonate).
April 6-8: Lectures-discussion on petroleum source and seal rocks and on petroleum
generation, expulsion, migration, and accumulation.
Reading materials-Waples (1994) and Mancini et al. (2003, 2008).
April 13-15: Exercise-Modeling of oil and gas generation, expulsion, and migration.
April 20: Lecture-discussion on petroleum traps (structural, stratigraphic, hydrostatic and
hydrodynamic).
Reading materials-Berg (1972, 1975) and Biddle and Wielchowsky (1994).
April 22: Lecture-discussion on field case study illustrating the use of 3-D seismic data.
Reading material-Mancini et al. (2004).
April 27-29: Exercise-Field study involving 3-D seismic data.
May 7: Final examination.
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