Petroleum geology for non-geologists or: How to get the gist of
your geologist
Instructor: Willem van Uijen, January 2016, 9.00 – 17.00 hrs, KIVI NIRIA building,
Prinsessegracht 23, The Hague.
Outline:
Have you ever wondered what an “oolite updip stratigraphic pinch-out trap” is, and why
it would be risky to drill such a thing? What geologists mean when they talk about “late
stage post-rift inversion piggy-back thrust faults”? Now’s your chance to learn all about
the wonderful, colorful world of geology in the E&P business!
In geology, the measurements from the field (seismic data, outcrop studies), well data
(wireline, petrophysics), and even production data are integrated into a 3D
understanding of the subsurface. The geologist makes the 1D information and takes
them to the third dimension, after which the reservoir engineer adds the fourth (time)
dimension, and finally the managers make their financial decisions. In essence, this key
discipline does the technical groundwork for huge projects, but it often has only a few
scraps of information to work with. This is what makes geology interesting: doing a lot
with a little. Nothing is certain, but uncertainties can be made small enough to be
manageable.
The course will cover the basics of geology, and a little bit about nearly everything a
geologist or geophysicist generally does in an E&P company. The course topics will
include, among others:
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How rocks and mountains are made from rivers, beaches, and landscapes
The petroleum system: source, reservoir, seal, and trap mechanisms
What characteristics play a role in making a great reservoir for hydrocarbons
Seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation
Geomodelling, facies distribution and petrophysical modeling
The uncertainties, risks and pitfalls in geology
Communication with other disciplines
New technologies and developments in geoscience
By the end of the day, you will:
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Finally know what your geologists are talking about
Have an appreciation for the uncertainty in predictability of reservoirs
Be able to assess and risk your own prospective fields
Know where the pitfalls in the geoscience workflow can be
Be able to integrate the geologists’ uncertainties into your work, e.g. in dynamic
models
The course format will be interactive. Expect to be put to work on small assignments:
bring some paper, a pen, pencil and a ruler, as well as a simple calculator (or
smartphone).
Who Should Attend:
This course and workshop is tailored to E&P professionals who do not have a geoscience
background, and are looking for more understanding of the geologist’s thought process,
as well as to gain insight into the huge amounts of uncertainties they work with.
Attendees could be petrophysicists, reservoir engineers, production engineers and -
technologists, managers, or process engineers. This course does not require prior
knowledge, but a general understanding of the E&P business will be expected.
Biography:
Willem van Uijen is an independent professional. He holds an M.Sc. in Geology from
Utrecht University. He has experience in the industry from Total E&P NL, and as a
consultant at Xodus Group. For the past few years, Willem has been involved in a key
role in the SPE Young Professionals board next to his work. Willem is a generalist and an
integrator, working in both geology and geophysics, from seismic interpretation to
geomodelling. He has experience in working on fields in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, the
North Sea and Kurdistan. Working in close, integrated teams, it became clear there is a
need to integrate the E&P technical disciplines more intensively; which is why he
designed this course.
Location & Time:
KIVI/NIRIA office (see map)
Prinsessegracht 23
(NOT: Prinsegracht)
2514 AP Den Haag
Course hours will be from 9.00 to 17.00. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Course location is within walking distance from Den Haag Central Station; nearby parking
facilities are available as well. Please note that there is road-construction work on-going
in the area and that you might need some additional time to reach the destination by car.
Cost:
SPE members pay € 150,-, non-members € 200,- which can include a one-year voluntary
SPE membership. SPE student members participate at a discount-rate of €10,- (limited
availability)
Registration:
Registrations for this event are though the SPE Netherlands Paydro portal.