Subsurface Geology (GEO501)
This course is designed to give students a deep understanding of sedimentary reservoir systems and basement, both as primary (hydrocarbon) and secondary reservoirs (e. g., carbon dioxide). This knowledge is essential for understanding energy systems. The course aims to enable students to interpret reservoir systems and their genesis and development as results of rock emplacement, depositional environments, and tectonic deformation. Reservoir systems will be set in a sequence stratigraphic context to understand and predict architectures, facies distributions and variations. The course also covers interpretation and validation (e. g., structural restoration) of faults and salt structures that can modify reservoir systems and control their formation. Techniques to assess the impact of faults on fluid flow are included.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
GEO501
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English, Norwegian
Content
Topics include:
- Interplay between clastic, carbonate and evaporitic depositional systems;
- Basement;
- Faults and salt structures in reservoir contexts, including growth structures and fault sealing; and
- Validation of geological models.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, the student should know:
- Preconditions for basement as reservoirs,
- Sedimentary depositional response to changes in external factors,
- Sequence stratigraphic concepts and depositional systems as controls for predicting reservoir properties,
- Deep burial-related, reservoir processes,
- Faults and salt structures and their impact on reservoir systems,
- Techniques to quality-control sedimentary and structural interpretations and reconstruct the evolution of sedimentary basins, and
- Techniques to evaluate the impact of faults on reservoir properties and fluid flow.
Skills
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- Evaluate different types of lithological successions for their potential as reservoirs,
- Use sequence stratigraphic concepts for predicting feasibility of reservoir and storage systems and for the prediction of reservoir and source-rock facies changes,
- Interpret faults and salt structures for their role in reservoir systems,
- Validate and restore structural models, and
- Assess the impact of faults on reservoir properties and fluid flow.
General competence
After completing the course, the student should be able to communicate:
- Basin-wide sedimentary and tectonic concepts for sub-surface reservoir applications including the use for storage systems, in the context of both basin-external and -internal factors,
- The importance of tectonic structures for reservoir systems, and
- The value and uncertainty of sedimentary and structural interpretations in reservoir contexts.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Assignments
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | 1/2 | 1 Weeks | Letter grades | All |
| Assignment 2 | 1/2 | 1 Weeks | Letter grades | All |
Continuous evaluation.You must pass all parts to pass the course. If you fail the assessment, you must retake this the following year. There are no continuation opportunities on the assessment parts. Students who wish to take these sections again must do so the next time the course has regular instruction.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Ingrid Carita AugustssonStudy Program Director:
Lisa Jean WatsonStudy Adviser:
Karina SanniCourse teacher:
Udo ZimmermannHead of Department:
Alejandro Escalona VarelaMethod of work
The course includes lectures and laboratory practices.
6 hours teaching per week.
This course has physical only meetings. The student is responsible for checking the course syllabus and class meeting information provided by the instructor in Canvas.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| PVT of Petroleum Reservoirs and Fluids (PET500_1) | 5 |