Reservoir Evaluation Technology (GEO504)

Petrophysical evaluation and interpretation of geological formations are done to understand the storage capacity, fluid flow and reservoir characteristics required for hydrocarbon reserves estimation and implementation of production strategies. This evaluation is done by running a series of core-based measurements (Routine- and Special Core Analysis) and wireline logging data interpretation that provide information about the petrophysical properties of rocks in subsurface layers. Students will visit labs to see how these experiments are performed. Logs from the Norwegian Continental Shelf are interpreted using industry relevant software. The principles behind petrophysical evaluation of rocks are relevant to oil and gas exploration, carbon geo-sequestration and geothermal reservoir characterization.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

GEO504

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

5

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

Petrophysics attempts to integrate core-based data analysis with the wireline logs data for a complete characterization and evaluation of hydrocarbon reserves in different geological formations. In the first part of the course, students work on Routine- and Special Core Analysis (RCAL/SCAL). Important reservoirs characteristics are introduced including porosity, permeability, saturation, pore size distribution, wettability and relative permeability- and capillary pressure functions. These parameters are directly relevant in reservoir simulation. Methods to perform relevant experiments and interpret the data to calculate these parameters are presented. Practical lab work is performed and calculations on data are performed with commercial software. This is followed by wireline logging where interpretation of lithology and determination of petrophysical properties are presented. Volumetric reserves estimation is exercised using real well data from a Norwegian field.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Interpret core data to derive petrophysical properties of rocks in laboratory.
  • Know the main experimental methods to determine key reservoir parameters.
  • Understand the wireline logging operations, data acquisition and quality control.
  • Interpret wireline logs data for volumetrics reserve estimation and quantification
  • Use appropriate software for interpretation of core and well log data

Skills:

  • The candidate is able to perform core-based data analysis and wireline log data analysis for hydrocarbon reserve estimation.
  • Simulate different single- and multiphase flow experiments on core plugs.
  • Interpret experimental data to calculate petrophysical properties.
  • Use software to analyse different logs data for reservoirs characterization.

General competence:

  • Students should be able to analyse, and report their strategy for geological reserve estimation.
  • Be able to use industrial accepted software to implement their strategies for formation evaluation.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Reports and oral presentation

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Report 1 5/10 1 Months Letter grades All
Report 2 3/10 1 Months Letter grades All
Oral presentation 2/10 15 Minutes Letter grades All

Continuous evaluation.You must pass all parts to pass the course. If you fail an assessment, you can retake it 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)

Laboratory Engineer:

Dagfinn Søndenaa Sleveland

Course coordinator:

Pål Østebø Andersen

Study Program Director:

Lisa Jean Watson

Course teacher:

Pål Østebø Andersen

Study Adviser:

Karina Sanni

Head of Department:

Alejandro Escalona Varela

Method of work

Typically 3-4 hours of lectures and 2 hours of exercises per week. Excel and Sendra (or similar software) will be used on weekly basis for core analysis. Interactive Petrophysics (IP) software will be used for well log evaluation. Lab tours are also planned.

This course will include digital teaching methods: pre-recorded videos. This course will also have 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)
Formation Evaluation (PET670_1) 5

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Data Science - Master of Science Degree Programme Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme City and Regional Planning - Master of Science Computational Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Computer Science - Master of Science Degree Programme Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences - Master of Science Degree Programme Environmental Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Structural and Mechanical Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital course evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto