2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CAPE5620M Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs
15 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr A Hassanpour
Email: a.hassanpour
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2021/22
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
At the end of the module, students should:- be familiar with fundamental characteristics of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs;
- have a broad understanding of the key characteristics which make unconventional reservoirs economically viable;
- understand the distribution of hydrocarbons within unconventional reservoirs (i.e. absorbed vs free hydrocarbons);
- be familiar with hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms, with an advanced knowledge of the hydraulic fracture treatment and thermal enhanced oil recovery methods;
- have gained an understanding of production strategies in unconventional reservoirs;
- be able to integrate different types of properties/data to characterise unconventional petroleum reservoirs;
- be familiar with geomechanical concepts in unconventional reservoirs and with applications of these in real scenarios;
- have acquired an understanding of petrophysical characteristics in these reservoirs;
- have gained a critical awareness of the parameters and properties in the most common unconventional reservoirs: tight gas/oil, shale gas/oil, coalbed methane, heavy oil reservoirs;
- be familiar with basic economical aspects for unconventional reservoirs and major environmental issues in such reservoirs;
- have developed their research capability in selected topics.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should:
- understand the fundamental characteristics of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs as well as the differences between these types of reservoirs and conventional reservoirs;
- have knowledge of where hydrocarbons are stored within different unconventional reservoirs;
- have gained knowledge on hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms and production in unconventional reservoirs; be able to apply methods for production forecasting in practical exercises;
- understand geomechanics concepts in unconventional reservoirs;
- be able to describe the petrophysical characteristics of unconventional reservoirs;
- be familiar with hydraulic fracture treatment and thermal enhanced oil recovery methods;
- be able to describe the fundamental properties and production strategies in the most common unconventional reservoirs: tight gas/oil; shale gas/oil; coalbed methane; heavy oil reservoirs;
- understand the basics of economics of unconventional reservoirs, the characteristics of what makes such reservoirs economically viable and major environmental aspects in such reservoirs;
- be able to calculate the likely production rates from unconventional reservoirs.
Syllabus
- Unconventional reservoirs - overview and types. Reserves estimation in unconventional reservoirs.
- Unconventional hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms. Production in unconventional reservoirs; methods for production forecasting.
- Geomechanics of unconventional reservoirs.
- Petrophysical characteristics of unconventional reservoirs. Reservoir characterisation.
- Hydraulic fracture treatment and optimisation.
- Thermal enhanced oil recovery methods.
- Tight gas and oil reservoirs.
- Shale gas and oil reservoirs.
- Coalbed methane.
- Heavy oil reservoirs.
- Economics of unconventional reservoirs. Environmental aspects.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Group learning | 4 | 4.00 | 16.00 |
Lecture | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
Tutorial | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
Private study hours | 99.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 51.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
- Directed reading of recommended text books/scientific papers. Students will have the opportunity to use OnePetro, the SPE online library, as part of their private study and independent learning.- Compilation and submission of coursework.
- Revision for written examination.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Monitoring of student progress will be ensured via assessed coursework and report.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Practical | Assessed coursework | 20.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr | 80.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80.00 |
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 websiteLast updated: 30/06/2021 16:24:15
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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