PETROENG 2019 - Structural Geology & Seismic Methods

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

Structural Geology: Basic concepts of stress (resolving stresses and Mohr Circle) and rock failure (friction, Coulomb); present-day stresses from oil field data; implications for wellbore stability and water flooding; basic concepts of structural geology; faults; folds; structural traps and fault seal analysis. Seismic Methods: Principles of refraction and reflection seismology, such as wave propagation phenomena, and seismic velocity and resolution. Basic seismic surveying data acquisition and processing methods, mechanics of seismic interpretation. Velocity anomalies and depth conversion. Techniques for evaluating reservoir and fluid properties, such as seismic attributes, DHIs and AVO, and time lapse seismic monitoring.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PETROENG 2019
    Course Structural Geology & Seismic Methods
    Coordinating Unit Australian School of Petroleum & Energy Resources
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description Structural Geology: Basic concepts of stress (resolving stresses and Mohr Circle) and rock failure (friction, Coulomb); present-day stresses from oil field data; implications for wellbore stability and water flooding; basic concepts of structural geology; faults; folds; structural traps and fault seal analysis. Seismic Methods: Principles of refraction and reflection seismology, such as wave propagation phenomena, and seismic velocity and resolution. Basic seismic surveying data acquisition and processing methods, mechanics of seismic interpretation. Velocity anomalies and depth conversion. Techniques for evaluating reservoir and fluid properties, such as seismic attributes, DHIs and AVO, and time lapse seismic monitoring.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Khalid Amrouch

    Course Coordinator and teacher : Dr Khalid Amrouch
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Develop a solid understanding of the techniques and skills that geologists use to locate and characterize oil, gas reservoirs.
    2. Providing fundamental knowledge of seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation as well as structural geology and geomechanics techniques.
    3. Examine the applications of seismic, structural geology and geomechanics information for petroleum engineering, particularly drilling and reservoir engineering, in view of increasing your readiness to work into multi-disciplinary teams during your future career in the oil, gas or energy industry.
    4. Improve student abilities to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    3, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4, 5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Please bring pencils, coloured pencils, eraser, ruler and calculator to all lectures and practical classes.
    Recommended Resources
    “An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration”
    By Philip Kearey, Michael Brooks and Ian Hill; published by Blackwell

    “Fundamental of rock mechanics”
    By Jaeger, Cook and Zimmerman; published by Blackwell

    “Geodynamics”
    By Turcotte and Schubert; published by Cambridge University Press

    “Introduction to Structural Geology”
    By Fossen, Haakon, and Cambridge; New York : Cambridge University Press.
    Online Learning
    Lectures and practicals will be available on MyUni (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course provides a solid base to the practical aspects of structural geology, geomechanics and seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation. Weekly lectures are supported by problem-solving practical sessions, developing material covered in lectures.

    During the course, we hope to have fun (a bit), to introduce you some of the key concepts and techniques used by geologists and geophysicists to explore for economic resources, map the geometries of these resources, and provide information to improve the management of these resources through time. Finally, we hope to imbue you with our enthusiasm for analysing the earth's subsurface and advancing the exploration and development of petroleum accumulations.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    There are two lectures (50 minutes each) and two practical sessions per week.
    Learning Activities Summary
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Learning outcomes
    tutorials and quizzes 10.5 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4.
    oral presentations 14.5 Group Summative Weeks 6-10 1. 2. 5.
    Seismic projects 12 Group Formative Weeks 8-12 1. 3. 5.
    Practicals 3 Individual Formative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
    Take-home Assignments 60 Individual Formative Weeks 4-13 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Total 100

    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    You will be advised of the practical collected at the beginning of the prac session. Alternative test dates for students who cannot be present on the date of the test on medical and compassionate grounds can be requested through the Course Coordinator.
    Assessment Detail
    The course will be assessed with a weighting of 40% on practicals and quizzes and 60% based on the results of take-home assignments. exam.
    Submission
    Submission of Work for Assessment
    Practicals are to be completed within seven days of the practical session, with a completed copy of the assessment coversheet that is available from the school office. This should be signed to indicate you have read the above university policy statement on plagiarism, collusion and related forms of cheating.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks will only be permitted for legitimate medical or compassionate reasons. Evidence for an extension on medical or compassionate grounds must be provided to the lecturer (e.g. copy of medical certificate).

    Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
    Assessment tasks must be submitted by the stated deadlines. There will be a penalty for late submission of assessment tasks. The submitted work will be marked „without prejudice‟ and 10% of the obtained mark will be deducted for each day (or part of a day) that an assessment task is late, up to a maximum penalty of 50% of the mark attained. An examiner may elect not to accept any assessment task that a student wants to submit after that task has been marked and feedback provided to the rest of the class.

    Provision of Feedback to Students
    Exercises will be returned to students within three weeks of their submission.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.