About Petrox

This interdisciplinary course is based on lectures and field work in southern UK and group project work. It integrates studies in petroleum geology, sedimentology, structural history, and reservoir characterization. The course is assessed by a 5 day field based reservoir study of sandstone and chalk undertaken by groups of 4-6 students, which will simulate work undertaken in exploration of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The groups will give oral presentations about their work and submit a written report.

Lectures and analytical data. The lectures during the field work provide a stratigraphical, sedimentological and structural background to the field study area, plus an introduction to local petroleum geology. Geophysical and geochemical analysis of source and reservoir samples from the field area will be undertaken.

Petroleum and reservoir geology of the Dorset oilfield, UK. This 5 day field course builds upon preceding lecture and practical laboratory work, and provides a structural and sedimentological context to oil habitat.

• Examine Jurassic source rocks in the field (Blue Lias, Kimmeridge Fm) in the light of analytical data (TOC, hydrogen index, kerogen typing, maturation) and demonstrate how palaeoenvironment and burial history control source rock quality.
  
• Characterise important reservoir units (Sherwood Sandstone, Bridport Sands, Cornbrash) using sedimentology, porosity and permeability data and evidence of diagenetic modification
  
• Understand hydrocarbon migration history in the Wessex Basin in the context of the structural evolution of the region (Jurassic-Early extension, Late Cretaceous-Tertiary inversion), utilizing field, seismic and well-log data.
  
• Use a visit to the Wytch Farm BP oilfield to show how geological understanding and evolving technology have contributed to exploration of and production from the field, and how conservation is a priority in this environmentally sensitive region.
  

Characterisation of Chalk reservoirs. The concluding part of the course will be undertaken by groups (4-6), working as teams, based on the chalk cliffs at Eastbourne and Brighton. It will involve:

• Detailed sedimentological logging, to identify sedimentary facies (hardgrounds, redeposited chalks, pelagic chalks) and identify quality reservoir units.
  
• Geophysical logging, using micropermeters and spectral gamma meters.
  
• Fracture characterization (spacing and orientation), and estimation of water flow rates through fractures.