Nontechnical Guide to Petroleum Geology, Exploration

Contributions to Professional Component:
Math and Science None
Petroleum Engineering Provides students a detailed understanding of the rock and rock-fluid properties
of oil and gas reservoirs; an understanding of the Darcy equation and how to
apply it to various geometrics; an understanding of laboratory measurements of
rock and rock-fluid properties; and a basic understanding of fluid flow in porous
media.
General Education Provides students an understanding of the design of experiments; how to
analyze and interpret experimental data; and an ability to prepare laboratory
reports.
Course Learning Outcomes and Relationship to Program Outcomes:
Course Learning Outcome: At the end of the course, students will be Program Outcomes
able to…
Define porosity, discuss the factors which effect porosity, and describe 1,5
the methods of determining values of porosity
Define elastic and acoustic properties and rock strength and factors 1,5
affecting them
Define compressibility of reservoir rocks and describe methods for 1,2
determining values of formation compressibility
Define permeability and its determinants and measurement 1,2,5
Reproduce the Darcy equation in differential form, explain its meaning, 1,2,5
integrate the equation for typical reservoir system, calculate the effect of
fractures and channels
Explain boundary tension and wettability and their effect on capillary 1,2,5
pressure, describe methods of determining capillary pressure, and
convert laboratory capillary pressure values to reservoir conditions
Describe method of determining fluid saturations in reservoir rock and 2,1,5
show relationship between fluid saturation and capillary pressure
Define electrical properties of rock, resistivity index, saturation exponent, 1,2,5
and cementation factor and show their relationship and uses; conduct
experiments to measure electrical properties of rocks; and demonstrate
the calculations necessary in analyzing laboratory measurements
Define effective and relative permeability; reproduce typical relative 1,2,5
permeability curves and show effect of saturation history on relative
permeability; and demonstrate some uses of relative permeability data
Develop data analysis skills and be able to report in written form 2, 7
Related Program Outcomes:
No. PETE graduates must have…
1 An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2 An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret
data.
5 An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
7 An ability to communicate effectively.
Prepared by: Ahmad Ghassemi, 20 August, 2008
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