MSc Petroleum Geoscience Course Outline_24Sept12_HDJ (2)

5. COURSE ORGANISATION AND OUTLINE Organisation The MSc Petroleum Geoscience course is one of the key components of ESE’s larger programme of petroleum-related Masters education (including Petrolem Geophysics, Petroleum Engineering and Metals and Energy Finance). It is managed under the following general administrative structure: Course Director: Professor Howard D. Johnson Course Manager: Ms. Shashi Luther Course Administrator: Ms. Joanna Owens Course Administrator: Ms. Aparna Ashok There is also a Staff-Student Consultative Committee, which includes around 4 MSc students who act as representatives for the whole class. They will be selected in the first three weeks of Term 1. Normally, we hold 1-2 meetings per term. The aim is to obtain student feedback on all aspects of the course, particularly with regards any problematic areas. We also have an Industry Advisory Board, which meets annually in early November. This comprises around 15-20 company representatives, who review the course curriculum and help select students through the scholarship scheme. Objectives The main objectives of the course are: To develop advanced skills and competency in the technical disciplines of geoscience (including basin analysis, sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy, structural geology, reservoir characterisation, seismic data acquisition and processing, 2D and 3D seismic interpretation). To provide essential knowledge of the key allied petroleum geoscience disciplines (e.g. geostatistics, petrophysics, reservoir engineering) and to appreciate their relationship and inter-dependency with core geoscience subjects. To apply these skills to the full spectrum of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities (play fairway analysis, prospect evaluation, appraisal, development and reservoir management) through classroom study, field work, integrated team projects, and independent research. To present modern petroleum industry methods and practices including demonstration and hands-on use of industry-standard software and hardware systems for 2D/3D seismic interpretation, basin modelling, petrophysics and reservoir characterization. To promote the ethos of synergy within integrated, multidisciplinary teams of geoscientists and petroleum engineers in the exploration and development of oil and gas resources. To develop the candidates' transferable skills including communication (oral, written and aural), team work, decision making, economic and risk analysis, and time and project management. To train the candidates in best current industry practices, in order to be able to work independently and also as a member of a team. To provide a challenging and stimulating education required for an MSc taught course degree. Throughout the course, considerable emphasis is placed on communication skills, both written and oral. In the course of the year, all students can expect to make a contribution to the two group project presentations and to give a presentation on their individual project. These presentations are given to

Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience 2012-2013

Department of Earth Science & Engineering

internal and external examiners and an invited audience from industry. Course structure The key aspects of course structure are: Course duration: 50 weeks (early October to mid-September) Classroom teaching, group projects, fieldwork: Terms 1 and 2 (early October to early April) Examinations: Term 3 (May) Independent projects: Term 3 and summer (early June to mid-September) Term 1: Production Geoscience Term 1 (11 weeks, October-December) addresses Production Geoscience as currently practiced in the oil industry, which requires a broad understanding of geological, geophysical and reservoir engineering subjects. For this reason, there is strong integration between all three petroleum-related MSc courses (Geoscience, Geophysics and Engineering) during this period. The syllabus comprises 8 weeks of classroom-based taught courses followed by a 3-week Production Geoscience Group Project, which provides practical experience of industry-style workflows. Modules studied in Term 1 include: Development Geology Seismic Techniques Structural Geology Characterisation of Fractured Reservoirs Petrophysics Core analysis Petroleum Engineering Hydrocarbon Resources Classification & Estimation Geostatistics Term 2: Exploration Geoscience Term 2 (11 weeks, January-March) addresses Exploration Geoscience, with an emphasis on applying current concepts, methods and technologies (e.g. basin analysis, sequence stratigraphy, petroleum systems analysis, seismic interpretation) to hydrocarbon basins. The syllabus of this term comprises 5 weeks of classroom-taught courses followed by a 5-week Exploration Geoscience Group Project, which provides further practical experience of industry-style work. Student teams present their project work to a panel of selected industry judges. The term is followed by a 3-week synthesis fieldtrip to the USA, which comprises two weeks in Utah (clastic depositional systems) and one week in West Texas (carbonate depositional systems). These fieldtrips provide the opportunity to revise and integrate many aspects of the entire course prior to the exams. Modules studied in Term 2 include: Applied Sedimentology Exploration and Production Geochemistry Basin Analysis Seismic Interpretation of Sedimentary Basins Petroleum Systems Analysis Petroleum Economics Group projects In addition to the teaching programme in Terms 1 and 2, students undertake the following group projects:



Production Geoscience Group Project. This is a field development training exercise which illustrates the integration of disciplines required for field appraisal and reservoir characterisation. The project is carried out by teams of 5-6 students (2-3 MSc Petroleum Geoscience, 1-2 MSc Petroleum Geophysics, 2-3 MSc Petroleum Engineering) using an integrated dataset (seismic, wireline logs, cores, fluid pressure measurements, well tests and petrophysical data). The project integrates all the formal teaching in Term 1, and trains students to be team players in multi-disciplinary reservoir management groups. Exploration Geoscience Group Project (‘Barrel Award’). This is an exploration-based project focusing on the detailed assessment of the petroleum potential in a frontier basin. The project is carried out by teams of 4-6 students, using a grid of 2D and/or 3D seismic data collected for regional exploration, regional well data and industry-standard analogue databases. The project integrates all the formal teaching in Term 2, and trains students to be team players in exploration evaluation and regional hydrocarbon prospectivity analysis. This is a competitive exercise assessed by a panel of three external, senior geoscientists. They select the winning team, which receives the prestigious Barrel Award (an award that extends back for 30 years). Fieldwork We regard fieldwork as an integral part of Petroleum Geoscience training, and it is used to consolidate our students’ understanding by illustrating classroom-taught concepts in the field. Fieldtrips are taken to several areas of outstanding geological interest in the UK and USA that illustrate the full breadth of petroleum geoscience. Our approach in the field is problem-based, so that students use the outcrops to help to better understand and interpret subsurface geological datasets (seismic sections, well-log panels, reservoir production datasets). Many oil companies run field trips to the same locations, and the MSc course provides an early opportunity to study the same outcrops and consider the same lessons. Fieldtrips undertaken during the course are: Wessex Basin, 6 days, 9th-14th October 2012 North Somerset, 2 days, 27th-28th October 2012 Derbyshire, 2 days, 9th-10th February 2013 Utah, 9 days, 28th March-7th April 2013 West Texas, 5 days, 8th-14th April 2013 Independent project work After the exams, students undertake a 17-week independent project from early June until mid-September. The independent project is the culmination of the MSc course, and provides students with the opportunity to further their specialist knowledge in a particular area and/or to gain work experience in an oil company. It also allows students to demonstrate their independent thinking, critical and creative analysis, and sound technical judgment in their project work, and to manage both the technical analysis and time-management aspects of the project. In short, the independent project represents the pinnacle of each student’s knowledge and ability over the duration of the MSc course. It is our aim to place the majority of students into companies for the full duration of their projects - typically over 80% of the total student body. The remainder of the class will undertake their projects within Imperial College. These decisions are based on a variety of factors, including performance during the course work and examinations, existing links between students and companies (e.g. through sponsorship and/or employment offers) and personal interest (e.g. some students prefer a more research-oriented project within an existing IC-based research group). The final presentations of the independent projects are in the middle of September. The final two weeks of September must be kept free in order to complete revisions and corrections to the MSc thesis.



6. COURSE MODULE DESCRIPTION Term 1 Development Geology Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 24 hours (12 hours lectures, 12 hours practicals) Staff: Prof. Howard Johnson Description: The module outlines the basic concepts and applications in Development (or Production) Geology, and reviews modern practices in reservoir characterisation and 3D geological modelling. At the end of the module, students should understand the importance of reservoir geology and geophysics in the complete field appraisal, development and production (reservoir management) process. The module provides classroom teaching of concepts, which are then re-inforced through hands-on use in the Wessex Basin Fieldtrip and Production Geoscience Group Project. In October 2009, an additional 1 day lecture is provided by Professor John Kaldi (University of Adelaide), which is part of this module. Assessment: exam (2 questions on ‘Production Geoscience’ paper) Rock Properties Teaching hours and methods: 6 hours lectures Staff: Prof. Robert Zimmerman Description: The module presents the fundamental definitions of reservoir rock properties related to hydrocarbon exploration and production. The concept of scales in rock properties and the effects of geological heterogeneity are introduced. The module establishes the theoretical relationships and empirical correlations between the storage and transport properties of reservoir rocks. Assessment: coursework (question sheet; coursework jointly with Petrophysics module) Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering course MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. Wireline Logging Teaching hours and methods: 6 hours lectures Staff: Dr. Mike Ala Description: The module presents an introduction to the fundamental concepts of open-hole, wire-line logging. It will describe the main tools used for lithology, porosity and saturation determination. Examples of how these different tools are used in typical subsurface situations will be presented. The subject matter will be developed further during the Petrophysics module. The main aim of this session is to prepare students for consider the likely wire-line log response of the outcrops to be studied on the Wessex Basin fieldtrip. Assessment: coursework (coursework & examination jointly with Petrophysics module) Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering & MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. Wessex Basin Fieldtrip: Petroleum Systems & Reservoir Evaluation Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 5½ days fieldwork Staff: Prof. Howard Johnson, Prof. Alastair Fraser, Prof. Helmut Jakubowicz, Prof. John Cosgrove, Prof. Matt Jackson, Dr. Cedric John, Prof. Mark Sephton, Dr Jenny Collier, Dr Fivos Spathopoulos. Description: The fieldtrip has two aims. (1) To consolidate the classroom-taught concepts of development geology, with an emphasis on the role of outcrop analogues in understanding subsurface reservoirs. The students document outcrops of units that are direct analogues to the reservoir studied several weeks later in the Production Geoscience Group Project (Sherwood sandstones, Wytch Farm Field, Wessex Basin). (2) To introduce the different elements of petroleum plays in an active hydrocarbon basin. Data collected during the fieldtrip is used for an assessed project by the students in the Exploration and



Production Geochemistry and Modelling of Petroleum Systems modules in Term 2. Assessment: coursework (note books and work sheets) Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering & MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. North Somerset/Bristol Channel Basin Fieldtrip: Fault & Fracture Characterisation Teaching hours and methods: 2 days fieldwork Staff: Prof. David Sanderson and Dr Lidia Lonergan

Description: The main aim of this trip is to provide new insights and training in the analysis of normal and strike-slip faults. The excellent exposure and high-resolution stratigraphy in Lower Liassic rocks at Kilve, north Somerset, allow very detailed studies of fault displacement to be made, and many of the current ideas regarding the geometry and kinematics of faulting have been developed using these rocks. The wave-cut platforms and cliff sections also provide good analogues to ‘time slices’ and ‘dip lines’ in 3-D seismics.

On the Somerset Coast, there are excellent exposures of a wide range of structures, including faults, veins, joints and folds. Normal, strike-slip, reverse, oblique-slip and reactivated normal faults all occur. They cover a wide range of scales, with displacements ranging from a few mm up to a few hundred metres. The ~18 km long coastline between Hinkley Point and Blue Anchor Bay provides a world-class natural laboratory for studying the geometry and evolution of faults and fractures, which have been utilised by many research groups and by many companies for the training of petroleum geoscientists.

Basic Petroleum Geophysics Teaching hours and methods: 6 hours lectures Staff: Prof. Helmut Jakubowicz Description: The module provides an introduction to the specific earth parameters which can be deduced from seismic reflection data. Basic concepts of reflection seismology are taught, including wave propagation, time series analysis, time-depth conversion, borehole geophysics and velocity modelling. Assessment: none Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering & MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. Seismic Techniques Course unit/examination paper: Exploration Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 45 hours (15 hours lectures, 30 hours practicals) Staff: Dr. Jenny Collier, Dr. Chris Jackson, external lecturers Description: This module provides an integrated introduction to the acquisition, processing and interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic datasets. The module has a particularly strong practical emphasis, with many sessions conducted on an industry-standard computer workstation network. These techniques are applied in both the Production Geoscience Group Project and Exploration Geoscience Group Project. Advanced geophysical methods are also illustrated in relation to the application of reservoir geophysics to field development and reservoir management: e.g. 3D/4D seismic, 3D visualisation, amplitude studies, AVO, and elastic inversion. Assessment: exam (1 question on ‘Exploration Geoscience’ paper) Seismic Interpretation Course unit/examination paper: Exploration Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 30 hours (15 hours lectures, 15 hours practicals) Staff: Dr. Rebecca Bell Description: The module provides hands-on experience of interpreting 2D and 3D seismic datasets from a variety of structural and stratigraphic settings. It builds directly onto the Seismic Techniques



course and provides hands-on experience of seismic interpretation using both paper sections and workstations. The petroleum exploration and production significance associated with each seismic dataset evaluated is emphasised. The course aims to provide students with practical seismic interpretation skills. It also demonstrates the wide range of tectonic and stratigraphic styles, encompassing those found in the major hydrocarbon provinces around the world. Assessment: exam (2 questions on ‘Exploration Geoscience’ paper) Hydrocarbons Classification & Estimation Teaching hours and methods: 3 hours lectures Staff: Dr. Graeme Simpson (RPS Group) Description: The module presents the definitions of hydrocarbons in place and reserves, and introduces the techniques used to estimate these values. The financial impact of reserve estimations are discussed. Assessment: coursework (within the Wytch Farm and Barrel Award Group projects) Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering & MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. Petroleum Engineering Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 12 hours (12 hours lectures) Staff: Prof. Martin Blunt, Prof. Alain Gringarten Description: The principles of reservoir engineering are introduced, including reservoir fluids and production mechanisms, recovery efficiency, fluid pressure measurements and their applications, and the use of material balance calculations. Well test analysis techniques and interpretations are presented. Assessment: exam (1 question on ‘Production Geoscience’ paper) Petroleum Structural Geology Course unit/examination paper: Petrophysics and Tectonics Teaching hours and methods: 15 hours (12 hours lectures, 3 hours practicals) Staff: Dr. John Cosgrove Description: The module provides a rigorous background in the fundamentals of structural geology (e.g. stress, brittle failure, fluid-induced failure, evolution and fractures and impact on fluid flow) in the context of petroleum exploration and production. Assessment: exam (1 question on ‘Petrophysics and Tectonics’ paper) Faults and Fractures Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 15 hours (9 hours lectures, 6 hours practicals) Staff: Prof. David Sanderson (Univ. of Southampton) Description: The module builds on the foundations laid in the Petroleum Structural Geology module, and deals with the properties of fractures and fracture networks, sampling and prediction of sub-seismic fractures in subsurface reservoirs, their impact on flow, and the representation of fracture networks in reservoir models. This module includes a 2-day field tri[ to study fault and fracture systems in Mesozoic rocks exposed along the North Somerset coast. Assessment: exam (1 optional question on ‘Production Geoscience’ paper) Petrophysics Course unit/examination paper: Petrophysics and Tectonics Teaching hours and methods: 36 hours (18 hours lectures, 18 hours practicals) Staff: Dr Mike Ala, Dr. Peter Fitch, Dr. Chris Pentland (Shell) and Dr. Sander Suicmez (Shell) Description: The module covers the theory and practice of core analysis and open-hole log interpretation. Students gain an understanding of the fundamental physics involved in various petrophysical measurements from cores and borehole logs, and are taught to conduct basic log interpretation to determine petrophysical parameters such as lithology, porosity, fluid saturation and



permeability prediction. The module also provides hands-on experience in using commercial petrophysical software. Assessment: coursework (question sheet; coursework jointly with Rock Properties module), exam (2 questions on ‘Petrophysics and Tectonics’ paper) Geostatistics Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 12 hours lectures Staff: Dr Ashley Francis (Earthworks) Description: The module provides an introduction to the principles and applications of geostatistics, and equips students with the necessary skills to apply geostatistics in building both deterministic and stochastic reservoir models. Assessment: exam (1 optional question on ‘Production Geoscience’ paper) Production Geoscience Group Project Course unit/examination paper: Production Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 15 days project work in teams Staff: Dr. Matt Jackson, Dr. Gary Hampson, Prof. Howard Johnson, Dr Mike Ala, Prof. Helmut Jakubowicz Description: This is a field development training exercise which illustrates the integration of disciplines required for field appraisal and reservoir characterisation. The project is carried out by teams of 5-6 students (2-3 MSc Petroleum Geoscience, 2-3 MSc Petroleum Engineering) using an integrated dataset (seismic, wireline logs, cores, fluid pressure measurements, well tests and petrophysical data). The project integrates all the formal teaching in Term 1, and trains students to be team players in multi-disciplinary reservoir management groups (asset management teams, business units, etc.). Assessment: coursework (oral presentation and written report) Module shared with MSc Petroleum Engineering & MSc Petroleum Geophysics courses. Term 2 Petroleum Systems Analysis Course unit/examination paper: Petroleum Basin Analysis Teaching hours and methods: 42 hours (24 hours lectures, 24 hours practicals)Staff: Dr. Mark Sephton, Dr Kerry Gallagher (University of Rennes), Dr Fivos Spathopoulos (Praxxis), Dr Peter Allison Description: The module covers the fundamentals of petroleum systems analysis and its use in hydrocarbon exploration. The module includes basic organic geochemistry, concepts and examples of petroleum systems, petroleum source rocks, modelling of petroleum systems, and an introduction to basin-scale pressures and fluid dynamics. Practice in using the quantitative tools and techniques used in modelling the petroleum system of a basin (i.e. the formation, generation, migration and trapping of hydrocarbons) is provided. At the end of the module, students are able to undertake 1-D basin modelling using industry-standard software, and are aware of the extension of this process into 2- and 3-D applications. Examples from different hydrocarbon provinces and basin types are used to illustrate the petroleum systems concept. Assessment: exam (2 questions on ‘Petroleum Basin Analysis’ paper) Basin Analysis: Seismic Expression and Structural Styles Course unit/examination paper: Petroleum Basin Analysis Teaching hours and methods: 48 hours (16 hours lectures, 32 hours practicals) Staff: Prof. Philip Allen & Dr Lidia Lonergan Description: This module presents a modern approach to the analysis of sedimentary basins, emphasising the fundamental controls on basin development. The mechanisms controlling large-scale basin evolution are integrated with structural evolution and sedimentary processes. Analysis techniques include quantitative geophysical modelling, seismic interpretation and detailed



sedimentary and stratigraphic analysis of basin infill. Assessment: coursework (case study), exam (2 questions on ‘Basin Analysis & Tectonics’ paper) Applied Sedimentology Course unit/examination paper: Applied Sedimentology Teaching hours and methods: 48 hours (36 hours lectures, 12 hours practicals) Staff: Prof. Howard Johnson, Dr. Gary Hampson, Dr. Cédric John, Dr. James Maynard (ExxonMobil), Dr Paul Grant Description: The module addresses the fundamental sedimentological controls on reservoir distribution and character, and provides a practical guide to the use of facies models and sequence stratigraphy in the sedimentological interpretation of subsurface data (core, wireline logs, seismic data). The module is divided in two broad topics: a) siliciclastic systems (Johnson and Hampson), and b) carbonate systems (John). External lecturers provide specialist teaching in the application of biostratigraphy, applied sequence stratigraphy and numerical forward-modelling techniques. Students also undertake core description and interpretation at an industry core store. Assessment: exam (3 questions on ‘Applied Sedimentology’ paper) Derbyshire Fieldtrip: Deep-Water Reservoirs in the Pennine Basin Teaching hours and methods: 2 days fieldwork Staff: Professor Alastair Fraser and Dr Ian Kane (Statoil) Description: The 'Deep-water Sedimentology and Stratigraphy' fieldcourse will take place from the 9th of February-10th February 2013. We will visit several classic outcrops of Upper Carboniferous deep-water strata that in exposed in Derbyshire. This fieldcourse will build on concepts taught on the Reservoir Sedimentology taught-course. We will visit a number of outcrops during both days of the fieldtrip and then complete a series of short exercises in the classroom in the evenings. After the field course you should be able to: (i) use sedimentological criteria (e.g. grainsize, sedimentary structures, biogenic structures, etc) to recognise and differentiate between deposits related to turbulent sediment gravity-flows (e.g. turbidites) and non-turbulent sediment gravity-flows (e.g. debrites); (ii) understand how individual beds stack to form 'depositional elements' such as channels and fans (i.e. the 'building blocks' of deep-water stratigraphic successions); (iv) understand the wireline, core and seismic expression of deep-water sedimentary systems and the key methods of correlation and interpretation in sparse subsurface datasets; and (iv) understand how the fluid flow behaviour of deep-water reservoirs is controlled by their bed-scale sedimentology and larger-scale stratigraphic architecture. Petroleum Economics Teaching hours and methods: 18 hours (12 hours lectures, 6 hours practicals) Staff: Dr Edward Jankowski Description: An introduction to the basic concepts and background for the financial and economic assessment of projects within the petroleum industry. At the end of the module, students are able to carry out simple portfolio management decisions under conditions of uncertainty, including economic, technical and political risk. Assessment: none Exploration Geoscience Course unit/examination paper: Exploration Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 18 hours (12 hours lectures, 6 hours practicals) Staff: Prof. Alastair Fraser Description: Fundamentals of play-based exploration aimed at demonstrating the integration of all aspects of petroleum exploration and petroleum systems analysis. The course includes seismic interpretation, well correlation and common risk segment mapping and the integration of reservoir, source, seal and trap analysis. Prospect and play risk analysis is also outlined as a basis for generating a consistent approach to estimating risked volumetric estimations. This course is deliberately practical and is used as a precursor to the Barrel Award.



Assessment: coursework (the Barrel Award group project: presentation & report) Exploration Geoscience Group Project (‘Barrel Award’) Course unit/examination paper: Exploration Geoscience Teaching hours and methods: 20 days project work in teams Staff: Dr. Chris Jackson, Prof. Alastair Fraser, Dr Cedric John, Prof. Howard Johnson Description: This is an exploration-based project focusing on the detailed assessment of the petroleum potential in a frontier basin. The project is carried out by teams of 4-6 students, using a grid of 2D and/or 3D seismic data collected for regional exploration, regional well data and industry-standard analogue databases. The project integrates all the formal teaching in Term 2, and trains students to be team players in exploration evaluation and regional hydrocarbon prospectivity analysis (new venture teams, etc.). This is a competitive exercise assessed by a panel of three external, senior geoscientists. They select the winning team, which receives the prestigious Barrel Award (an award that extends back for 31 years). Assessment: coursework (oral presentation and written report) Utah Fieldtrip: Clastic Depositional Systems Course unit/examination paper: Utah Fieldtrip (clastic sedimentology fieldtrip) Teaching hours and methods: 15 days fieldwork Staff: Dr. Gary Hampson, Dr. Lidia Lonergan, Dr Amandine Prelat Description: The first week of the field trip focuses on the sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy and reservoir characterisation of coastal-plain, marginal-marine and shallow-marine deposits using the superb exposures of the Book Cliffs and Coal Cliffs. The second week of the field course addresses structural geology, basin evolution and tectonic-sedimentation interaction in the unique exposures of the northern Paradox Basin, an exhumed salt basin. Well logs, cores and seismic data are used to demonstrate the subsurface expression of the rocks studied at outcrop, and specific comparisons are drawn with subsurface hydrocarbon provinces and reservoirs. The fieldtrip thus provides practical revision and integration of many advanced aspects of the taught modules prior to exams. Assessment: coursework (field notes and assessed practical exercises) West Texas Fieldtrip: Carbonate Depositional Systems Course Unit: West Texas Fieldtrip (carbonate sedimentology fieldtrip) Teaching hours and methods: 5 days fieldwork Staff: Dr. Cedric John, & Dr Veerle Vandeginste Course Description: This field course will focus on the classical carbonate outcrops from West Texas and New Mexico, many of which are equivalent to reservoirs units still under production in West Texas. The fieldtrip will include an overview of Mississippian carbonate mounds, Pennsylvanian carbonates and siliciclastics (mixed system), as well as an overview of the entire Permian reservoir system including the reef and backreef environments. The outcrops will be linked to nearby subsurface carbonate reservoirs in the prolific hydrocarbon occurrences of the Permian Basin. The fieldtrip thus provides practical revision and integration of many of the carbonate sedimentology and stratigraphy principles tthat were discussed during lecture modules. Assessment: coursework (field notes and assessed practical exercises)

Independent Project Course unit/examination paper: Independent Project Teaching hours and methods: 83 days project work Staff: All Staff Description: The project provides students with the opportunity to study in depth a particular aspect of petroleum geoscience, thereby expanding the knowledge they have acquired during the taught courses. Students are expected to demonstrate independent thinking, critical and creative analysis, and sound technical judgment in their project work, and to manage both the technical analysis and time-management aspects of the project. In short, the independent project should represent the



pinnacle of a student’s knowledge and ability over the duration of the MSc course. It is our aim to place the majority of students into companies for the full duration of their projects - typically this amounts to 80-90% of the total student body. The remainder undertake projects within Imperial College. Assessment: oral presentation + poster (30%) and written thesis (70%) The time frame for setting up independent projects is as follows: November: meeting with Course Co-ordinator to define the outline of project scope, set-up, timings. December: Deadline for applications to internship schemes (BP, ExxonMobil, Shell: note that any student wishing to be considered for an independent project with these companies must complete a successful job and/or internship application). Early January: students provide Course Administrator with CV, list of preferred topics. Mid-March: Specific topic and general objectives defined. End-May: Start project after the end of examinations. Students present brief (5 minute) outline of project to staff panel. End-August: Submission of written dissertation. Mid-September: Examination of project via poster and oral presentation in front of academic staff and invited Industry visitors. Mid- to Late-September: corrections to thesis and submission of final corrected versions (no later than 30th September) More detailed instructions, including guidelines for report and oral presentation design, are given to students at the appropriate time. In recent years many (over 80%) of students carry out their project in the industry, normally in company offices, with academic co-supervision. Please note that the course ends on the 30th September, when the final version of your thesis has to be submitted. Please remain available during the last two weeks of September in order to complete revisions and corrections to your thesis. All final thesis marks are predicated on satisfactory completion of all revisions and corrections requested by the internal and external examiners. This is important with regards booking return flights home, planning holidays and agreeing employment start dates. Please remain available until 30th September.



7. COURSE ASSESSMENT The MSc and DIC Awards The MSc of Imperial College London is awarded for passes obtained in formal examination and coursework assessments and, separately, in a project report or dissertation. The MSc award is an unclassified award, i.e. the result is “Pass” or “Fail”; however, a candidate may be recommended for an award of “Merit” or “Distinction”. A “Distinction” award requires an overall performance in examination results, in coursework, and in project work of a consistently very high standard (normally requiring an overall mark of 70% and above in all components of the course). A “Merit” award recognises an overall performance in examination results, in coursework, and in project work of a consistently high standard that falls short of the “Distinction” category. A “Merit” award normally requires an overall mark of 60% and above in all components of the course. It should be noted that minimum passes in all subjects will not necessarily be regarded as an examination pass for the MSc. An outstanding performance in one area cannot compensate for failure in the other. A re-sit of one or more examinations is allowed only on the next occasion of the examinations, i.e. after a lapse of one year. The DIC award is an award of Imperial College. To receive the award of DIC, a candidate must have achieved standards equivalent to a pass in MSc requirements. It is neither a 'consolation' award for a marginal failure to achieve MSc standards, nor an award to candidates ineligible for MSc registration. Any relevant topic is potentially examinable, whether presented by an internal member of staff, an external lecturer, or by a research or other student. Structure of Assessment Assessment of the candidates is based on three separate considerations: Examinations (50% of the final marks). At the beginning of Term 3, all candidates take five 3-hour examinations on the subjects covered during the course. Course Work (25% of the final marks). Certain assignments carried out during the year as course work are assessed. Independent Project (25% of the final marks). The independent project is assessed by written dissertation, poster presentation and oral presentation. Each of these three components must be passed. A candidate achieving an overall mark of 70% and above in all three components of the course will be considered for the award of a Master of Science Degree with Distinction. A candidate who achieves over 70% in all three components of the course is awarded a Distinction; between 60 and 70% a Merit; between 50 and 60% a Pass; and below 50%, a Fail. It should be noted that minimum passes in all subjects will not necessarily be regarded as an examination pass for the MSc. Candidates are notified of their performance and (if needed) any re-sits required.



Examinations Examinations include formal sittings together with coursework assessments which include the group projects. Fuller details of the coursework assessments are given during the year. Students take 5 written examination papers, each of 3 hours duration, in late April and early May: Production Geoscience examines the following modules: Petroleum Engineering (Section A, 1 question from choice of 2) Development Geology (Section B, 2 questions from choice of 4) Geostatistics; Characterisation of Fractured Reservoirs (Section C, 1 question from choice of 2) Exploration Geoscience examines the following modules: Seismic Interpretation of Sedimentary Basins (Section A, 1 compulsory practical question involving interpretation of seismic line; Section B, 1 question from choice of 2) Seismic Techniques (Section C, 1 question from choice of 2) Petrophysics and Seismic Techniques examines the following modules: Petrophysics (Section A, 1 compulsory practical question involving interpretation of wireline-log data; Section B, 1 question from choice of 2) Petroleum Structural Geology (Section C, 1 question from choice of 2) Basin Analysis and Tectonics examines the following modules: Basin Analysis (Section A, 2 questions from choice of 4) Modelling of Petroleum Systems; Petroleum Geochemistry (Section B, 2 questions from choice of 4) Applied Sedimentology examines the following modules: Applied Sedimentology (Section A, 1 compulsory practical question involving interpretation of a well-log and/or seismic dataset; Section B, 2 questions from choice of 4) All papers are double marked and available for inspection by the external examiners. Individual staff examiners mark initially to their own scheme but the marks are reported to the MSc course Administrator. The Administrator then collates all the marks. The marks are then totaled according to the current weighting scheme. These 'averaged' marks determine the ranking of the student. It is these marks that are reported to the University and given to the candidates. Those that fail one or two papers maximum, but have an average of 50% or above at the exams, will, after discussion at the examiners' meeting, be considered to pass the exams – subject to the discretion of the examiners, who may request an oral exam and/or further written work. Those that fail the oral, or have failed two or more papers and have an average of less than 50% at the exams will have their degree deferred until they re-sit the failed papers the following year. If they then pass, they will be placed in the examination pass list for that year. It should be noted that minimum passes in all subjects do not necessarily constitute an examination pass for the MSc. The examination papers are closed book examinations. Essential mathematical formulae that are difficult to remember or correlation graphs are provided where appropriate. Coursework These are marked and part of the MSc assessment. Their purpose is to give students a guide to their own progress, especially for those who have returned to study after a period in industry and for our overseas students to familiarise themselves with our assessment procedures. Full details of the coursework assessments are given during the year.



Independent project The independent projects are assessed by a dissertation, a poster and a presentation of 15-20 minutes (plus 5-10 minutes for questions) to the examiners and representatives for the oil industry. The reports are marked by two examiners. Students must achieve a pass mark of 50% in the independent project in order to pass the MSc course. At the discretion of the Board of Examiners, projects with marks between 45 and 50% may be revised and resubmitted within one month of the end of the MSc course. Students with project marks below 45% will have their degree deferred until they undertake a new project the following year. If they then pass this new project, they will be placed in the examination pass list for that year. Examiners’ Board Meetings Two Examiners' Board meetings are held; a preliminary meeting in the middle of June to consider the examination and coursework performance, and a final meeting in September to consider the overall results. Criteria for the Award of MSc Petroleum Geoscience Degree Results Distinction: to be awarded where a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of 70 per cent or

greater across the programme as a whole, including a mark of 70 per cent or greater in each of the

three elements of the course (i.e. coursework, examinations and independent project).

Merit: to be awarded where a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of 60 per cent or greater

across the programme as a whole including a mark of 60 per cent or greater in each of the three

elements of the course (i.e. coursework, examinations and independent project).

Pass: to be awarded where a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of 50 per cent or greater

across the programme as a whole.

Fail: results when a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of less than 50 per cent or across

the programme as a whole, and/or has failed to pass each of the three elements of the course.

All candidates must pass at least three of the five examinations papers.

Recommendations for final degree results are at the discretion of the Examinations’ Board. Prizes The following prizes are awarded at the end of the course: The Journal of Petroleum Geology Prize: awarded to the student achieving the highest overall performance. The Energy Institute Prize: awarded to the student achieving the highest mark in the coursework element of the curriculum. The BP Prize: awarded to the student achieving the highest mark in the individual project element of the course. The London Petrophysical Society Prize: awarded to the student who has completed an outstanding dissertation with a significant petrophysical component. The Fieldwork Prize: awarded to the student with the best fieldwork report.



Cheating Offences Policy & Procedures “The action or practice of plagiarising: the wrongful appropriation or purloining and publication as one’s own, of ideas, or the expression of ideas, of another.” (Simpson & Weiner 1989) It is a tenet of scholarship that one does not plagiarise. In a university, the definition quoted above needs some qualification: “publication” is taken to mean all forms of presentation including project reports, dissertations, theses etc. An “idea” will include observation of facts, opinions, conclusions etc. Adherence to a few simple rules will avoid plagiarism. If, in a piece of work, you wish to include an idea, which was first pronounced by someone else, then there are two choices. - Rewrite the idea in your own words and follow it by a short reference to a bibliography (or list of references). - Quote the original words within quotation marks and follow it by a reference. Illustrations can cause problems. - If you redraw a diagram etc, which is substantially the same as that published

by someone else then it should be referenced as “after Bloggs 1995”. - If you include a photocopy of an illustration, it must be referenced “ from Bloggs 1995”.

In both cases the full reference must be included in the bibliography (or List of References).

If you wish to include an idea from a colleague in your report then you should reference it as, for example “Jones, personal communication 1995”. Downloading from the web without acknowledgement is an instance of plagiarism. The University of London regards plagiarism as an ‘examination offence’ and has strict procedures for dealing with it. All suspected cases will be reported to the College Registry. Minor cases may be referred to the Board of Examiners for consideration. All other cases will be referred to the University and may be heard by a panel of senior members of staff from outside the College. The penalties for plagiarism, and allowing plagiarisation of your own work, can include: - reduced or zero marks for that piece of work or for the whole course module. - a re-submission of the work after a specified time (typically two years) in the

case of projects and dissertations. - exclusions from future examinations of the University. - Degrees already awarded may be withdrawn. Cheating Offences Policy and Procedures https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/registry/Public/Procedures%20and%20Regulations/Regulations/Exam%20Regulations%202010-11/Cheating%20Offences%20Policy%20and%20Procedures.pdf

APPENDIX I: Policy on Scientific Misconduct The College considers any allegation of scientific misconduct to be a matter of great concern and will investigate any such allegation fully. Given its international reputation and status, the College has a responsibility to the scientific community and to the public at large and therefore, where appropriate, will make public the outcome of any such investigation.

https://workspace.imperial.ac.uk/registry/Public/Procedures%20and%20Regulations/Regulations/Exam%20Regulations%202010-11/Cheating%20Offences%20Policy%20and%20Procedures.pdf




Definitions The College has adopted the Royal College of Physicians’ definitions of scientific misconduct as including piracy, plagiarism and fraud. The following definitions give indicative descriptions of the types of activity covered by this regulation. These descriptions are neither exclusive nor exhaustive:

a. Piracy is the deliberate exploitation of ideas and concepts from others without acknowledgement.

b. Plagiarism is the copying of ideas, data or text (or a combination of these) without permission or acknowledgement.

c. Fraud involves deception—usually, but not exclusively, the invention of data. This could also include the omission from analysis and publication of inconvenient components of a data set.

Other types of scientific misconduct may be separately defined, but the College views them as combinations or sub-types of those defined above. In addition to scientific misconduct, these procedures will also apply to cases of scientific negligence. Procedures for the Investigation of Allegations of Scientific Misconduct See https://www.imperial.ac.uk/publications/research/app_III.htm STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM You are reminded that all work submitted as part of the requirements for any examination (including coursework) of Imperial College and the University of London must be expressed in your own words and incorporate your own ideas and judgements. Plagiarism, that is, the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were your own, must be avoided, with particular care in coursework, essays and reports written in your own time. Note that you are encouraged to read and criticise the work of others as much as possible. You are expected to incorporate this in your thinking and in your coursework and assessments. But you must acknowledge and label your sources. Direct quotations from the published or unpublished work of others, from the internet, or from any other source must always be clearly identified as such. A full reference to their source must be provided in the proper form and quotation marks used. Remember that a series of short quotations from several different sources, if not clearly identified as such, constitutes plagiarism just as much as a single unacknowledged long quotation from a single source. Equally, if you summarise another person’s ideas or judgements, figures, diagrams or software, you must refer to that person in your text, and include the work referred to in your bibliography. Departments are able to give advice about the appropriate use and correct acknowledgement of other sources in your own work. The direct and unacknowledged repetition of your own work which has already been submitted for assessment can constitute self-plagiarism. Where group work is submitted, this should be presented in a way approved by your department. You should therefore consult your tutor or course director if you are in any doubt about what is permissible. You should be aware that you have a collective responsibility for the integrity of group work submitted for assessment. The use of the work of another student, past or present, constitutes plagiarism. Where work is used without the consent of that student, this will normally be regarded as a major offence of plagiarism. Failure to observe these rules may result in an allegation of cheating. Cases of suspected plagiarism will be dealt with under the College’s Examination Offences Policy and may result in a penalty being taken against any student found guilty of plagiarism. Cheating Offences Policy and Procedures http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/exams/examoffences

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/publications/research/app_III.htm


http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/exams/examoffences



Plagiarism advice for postgraduate taught course (Master's) students http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/library/subjectsandsupport/plagiarism/pgtaught TurnitinUK Plagiarism Detection Service at Imperial College http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/ict/services/teachingandresearchservices/elearning/plagiarism

Petroleum Geoscience: Basic Textbooks for MSc Course at Imperial College

1. Allen, P.A. & Allen, J.R. (2005). Basin Analysis: Principles and Applications. Wiley-Blackwell, 2nd

Edition, 560 pp. 2. Asquith, G. and Krygowski, D. (2006). Basic Well Log Analysis. AAPG Methods in Exploration No.

16, 2nd Edition, 244 pp. 3. Bacon, M., Simm, R. and Redshaw, T. (2003). 3-D Seismic interpretation. Cambridge University

Press, 222 pp. 4. Brooks, J. & Fleet, A.J (1987). Marine Petroleum Source Rocks. Geological Society of London

Special Publications, No. 26. 5. Brown, A.R. (2005). Interpretation of 3D Seismic Data. AAPG Memoir, No. 42, 6th Edition, 541 pp. 6. Catuneanu, O, (2006). Principles of Sequence Stratigraphy. Elsevier Science, 386 pp. 7. Dake, L.P. (1992). Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering. Elsevier Science, 2nd Edition, 613 pp. 8. Gluyas, J. and Swarbrick, R. (2004). Petroleum Geoscience. Blackwell Science Ltd., 359 pp. 9. Hantschel, T. and Kauerauf, A.I. (2009). Fundamentals of Basin and Petroleum Systems

Modelling. Springer, 476 pp. 10. Hart, B.S. (2000). 3-D seismic interpretation: a primer for geologists. SEPM (Society for

Sedimentary Geology). 11. Huffman, A.R. & Bowers, G.L. (2002). Pressure Regimes in Sedimentary Basins and their

Prediction. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir 76. 12. Magoon, L.B. and Dow, W.G. (1994). The Petroleum System: From Source to Trap. AAPG

Memoir, 644 pp. 13. Morton-Thompson, D. and Woods, A.M. (1992). Development Geology Reference Manual. AAPG

Methods in Exploration Series, No. 10, 550 pp. 14. Payton, C.E. (1977). Seismic stratigraphy-applications to the exploration of sedimentary basins.

AAPG Memoir, 26, 516p. 15. Reading, H.G. (1996). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. Wiley-

Blackwell, 3rd Edition, 704 pp. 16. Selley, R.C. (1998). Elements of Petroleum Geology. Academic Press Ltd., 470 pp. 17. Shepherd, M. (2009). Oil Field Production Geology. AAPG Memoir, No. 91. 350 pp. 18. Tearpock, D.J. and Bishcke, R.E. (2002). Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping with Structural

Methods. Prentice Hall, 2nd Edition, 864 pp. 19. Moore, C. H. (2004). Carbonate reservoirs: porosity evolution and diagenesis in a sequence

stratigraphic framework. Development in Sedimentology 55, Elsevier, 444 pp. 20. Killops S. and Killops V. (2005). Introduction to Organic Geochemistry. Blackwell Publishing, 2nd

Edition, 393 pp. ISBN 0 632 06504 4. 21. Fossen, H. (2010). Structural Geology. Cambridge University Press (ISBN-13:9780521516648).

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/library/subjectsandsupport/plagiarism/pgtaught

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/ict/services/teachingandresearchservices/elearning/plagiarism

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