Form C4
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
1. Course
Code
2. Course
Title
G19RA
6. Course
Co-ordinator
5. School
Engineering and Physical Sciences
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Sem 1
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem……..
Sem….
8. Pre-requisites
3. SCQF
Level
Reservoir Engineering 1
Collaborative Partner
Baku Higher Oil School, Azerbaijan
Sem 1
9
4. Credits
15
3rd Year Director of Studies
Approved Learning Partner
Name …………………………………Sem………..
Stage 2 courses
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
BEng Petroleum Engineering
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
This course is aimed at understanding the rock and fluid properties of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The course covers the nature of the fluid and pressure distribution within a
reservoir and the detailed rock and fluid properties of oil and gas fields and how these properties interact to affect production from the reservoir.
16. Syllabus
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Introduction to reservoir engineering – understanding the location, formation, fluid content of a hydrocarbon reservoir; understand the definitions of reserves; be
aware of the role of reservoir engineering in exploration and development.
Reservoir pressure and temperature - Formation fluid density and pressure gradient in the reservoir; location of water/oil/gas contacts; use of contacts and pressure
gradients to delineate reservoir units; measurement of fluid gradients
Reservoir fluids composition - Understanding composition of hydrocarbon fluids; classification systems based on density; simple models of fluid behaviour
Phase behaviour of hydrocarbon systems - Define: system, components, phases, equilibrium, intensive and extensive properties; understand relationship between
pressure and temperature and phase for single and multi-component systems; define the expected phase changes in a reservoir fluid as it is produced to surface.
Behaviour of gasses - Define equation of state wrt a reservoir gas; modify pv=nrt to account for compressibility factor z (pv=znrt); use of pseudo critical values to
account for gas mixtures; calculation of gas volumes and gas formation factor; use of equations of state in volume calculations.
Properties of reservoir liquids - Definition of black oil and compositional models of reservoir fluid;use of flash and differential liberation to obtain black oil parameters;
definition of Bo, Rs, Bg; define gas formation volume factor for a gas condensate; calculation of reservoir fluid viscosity
Fundamental properties of reservoir rocks - Definition of porosity and permeability; use of Darcy’s Law to calculate permeability of single phase; definition of
interfacial tension; use of capillary pressure to determine saturation changes in reservoir; definition of effective and relative permeability; use of drainage/imbibition
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Form C4
Version 4.0 (2010/2011)
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor Template
curves to characterise reservoir relative permeability; understanding pore doublet model in relation to recovery factors in reservoir fluid systems
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive
Skills
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
 understand and appreciate the nature of the reservoir and fluids contained
 calculate the reserves and show the variability in the calculations
 calculate the steady-state permeability of a reservoir rock
 understand and calculate the saturation profile in a layered reservoir
Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
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Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Apply mathematical techniques to analyse pressure and flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Describe the theory behind pressure variation and fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Demonstrate competence in practical application of theory.
Work in small groups on specific technical topics.
Analyse and report on technical issues.
18. Assessment Methods
Method
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
Examination
Coursework
2 hours
Duration of Exam
Diet(s)
(if applicable)
80%
20%
Examination
Coursework as appropriate
3
3
2 hours
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
13-8-2012
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
Version
Number
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