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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2600 Sedimentary Basins and Hydrocarbon Resources

10 creditsClass Size: 105

Module manager: Dr Nigel Mountney
Email: n.p.mountney@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisites

SOEE1570Geology 1
SOEE1575Geology 1 for Geophysicists
SOEE1580Geology 2

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE2510Basin Evolution & HC Resources

Module replaces

SOEE2075 Basin Evolution and SOEE2085 Hydrocarbon and Mineral Resources

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces the techniques required for the study of a) sedimentary basin development, b) the transition of sediments to sedimentary rocks and the diagenetic alteration of sedimentary rocks during burial, and c) explains how sedimentary basins act as major sources for hydrocarbon reserves.

Objectives

To provide an introduction to the mechanisms which lead to the formation of sedimentary basins, the controls on the geometry of basins and their stratigraphic fills, the processes which effect sedimentary rocks during burial, and to establish how hydrocarbon reserves stored within sedimentary basins originate, accumulate and are trapped in the subsurface.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1) Interpret and describe the mode of origin of a range of sedimentary basins
2) Characterize the structural style of sedimentary basins, including from seismic data
3) Recognize and explain lateral variations of sedimentary facies in a variety of basin settings
4) Understand how to derive tectonic subsidence/uplift histories from the history of base-level change and burial represented in the stratigraphic record
5) Assess the criteria required for the development of thermally mature hydrocarbon source rocks
6) Demonstrate the migration of petroleum fluids through carrier beds and into reservoirs
8) Appreciate how reservoir and seal rocks are juxtaposed
9) Outline the main types of stratigraphic and structural traps for hydrocarbons
10) Describe and explain the origin of a variety of diagenetic features in siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks, and integrate these with the burial history of the basin


Syllabus

1) Mechanisms of formation of sedimentary basins
2) Tectonic geomorphology; structural styles of basins and their expression in seismic data
3) Burial history analysis: Backstripping the tectonic subsidence history of a sedimentary basin
4) Tectonic and sea level controls upon variations of sedimentary facies in differing basin settings
5) An overview of the petroleum play system
6) The petroleum charge system
7) Reservoir, topseal and trap
8) Quantifying risk in hydrocarbon exploration; petroleum geology of the North Sea
9) Clastic diagenesis
10) Carbonate diagenesis
11) Integrated diagenesis, seismic interpretation and burial history case study

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Class tests, exams and assessment12.002.00
Class tests, exams and assessment13.003.00
Lecture101.0010.00
Practical92.0018.00
Independent online learning hours10.00
Private study hours57.00
Total Contact hours33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Students are expected to undertake approximately 1 hour online study and 3 hours of additional reading as an accompaniment to each lecture in the course, plus 22 hours private study in support of the hydrocarbons workbook and 5 hours private study to complete the final integrated practical.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored within practical classes through in-class and one-to-one discussions. Feedback on a summative assessment in week 4 will provide a formal indication of progress. Additional summative feedback follows from assessment of the hydrocarbons practical workbook and of the final integrative practical report.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
PracticalSeismic Interpretation20.00
PracticalHydrocarbons Practical Workbook50.00
PracticalIntegrated diagenesis practical report (interpreted images plus 500 words)30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/09/2016

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