Module GEOL4101: GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE BRITISH ISLES IV

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL4101: GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE BRITISH ISLES IV

Prerequisites

• A pass at Level 1 GEOL1061 Mathematical Methods in Geosciences or pass at AS Level in Mathematics, grade B or above or the equivalent.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• GEOL3031 Geological Evolution and Petroleum Systems of The British Isles, GEOL4111 Environmental Geochemistry IV, GEOL4121 Deformation Processes in the Lithosphere, GEOL4161 Earth Structure and Dynamics IV, GEOL4131 Hazardous Geophysical Flows IV, GEOL4141 Earth System and Climate IV.

Aims

• To introduce the geology and geological history of the British Isles.
• To understand the nature and range of geological resources in the UK and the importance of geology in the social and economic development of this country.
• To introduce students to the key elements of geoscience and related disciplines which underpin the analysis of petroleum systems.
• To develop an advanced understanding concerning the importance of fluid flow in petroleum exploration and production.
• To integrate different types of geological, geochemical and petrophysical data in order to reduce exploration risk and enhance petroleum production.

Content

• The geology and resources of the British Isles.
• Major events in the geological history of the British Isles related to plate tectonic processes.
• Deducing geological histories from integration of diverse data sources.
• Basin formation and seismic interpretation
• Petroleum Systems: Source Rock Deposition; Source Rock Volumetrics; Petroleum Generation; Migration and Trapping
• Unconventional Hydrocarbons
• Reservoir Geoscience

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the relationships between major events in the geological history of the British Isles and plate tectonic processes.
• To consider how these events are represented in the geology and resource geology of the British Isles.
• Acquire subject knowledge and understanding in geological principles, terms, definitions and classifications and how these may be used to establish geological histories.
• Understand the main ways in which sedimentary basins form and evolve.
• Be able to undertake an analysis of a petroleum system.
• Understand the main controls on the quality of a petroleum reservoir and how these influence both the production of petroleum and the storage of CO2.
• Ability to integrate data in order to assess how oil and gas exploration and production may be optimised.

• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyze, evaluate/interpret geological and geophysical data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on mix of laboratory and field data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to be understand the importance of uncertainty in geological and petrophysical data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in citation and appropriate use of the literature.

• Receive and respond to a variety of information sources.
• Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.
• Ability to integrate different types of data in order to make interpretations of economic importance.
• Understand the importance of data quality and uncertainty.
• Consider received information critically, even that received from a perceived reliable source.
• Analyse conventionally accepted information based on independent thought.
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences in written and verbal forms.
• Use internet and library resources effectively.
• Acquire skills necessary for self-managed lifelong learning including independent research, critical analysis, and time management.
• Identify and work towards targets for personal and academic development.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, practicals, and seminars will be used to demonstrate processes and examples which are then to be further examined by extra directed reading.
• Lectures, practicals and seminars will be assessed through summative assessments.
• A common theme through the whole course is extra directed reading and important for a level four module.
• Two timetabled meetings during Michaelmas and Epiphany terms (four total) designed specifically to promote advanced critical reasoning, scientific research, and scientific writing skills, and writing skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Discussions and feedback during practical sessions.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University