Geology of Petroleum

Module 1 discusses how the physical structure of the earth was formed, what the earth’s crust is composed of, how the history of the earth is mapped, which processes are involved in the formation of mountains, why sedimentation occurs, what organic matter is and how oil and gas are formed.

Exploration for Oil and Gas

Module 2 discusses the differences between reserves of oil, gas and petroleum as a resource, how a reservoir is formed, what the characteristics of a viable reservoir are, the techniques used to identify potential reservoir formations, the role seismic surveys play in locating potential reservoirs and why exploratory drilling is only used when the potential for a viable reservoir is high.

Drilling Operations Basics

Module 3 discusses the nature of drilling operations, the importance of subsurface conditions, why well bores change size, the three stages of drilling, why different drilling methods are used and the significance of well bore control.

Production of Oil and Gas

Module 4 discusses the steps involved in preparing a well for production, what natural lift is and the types of natural lift, the principal types of artificial lift, the types of well completions, what is involved in well servicing and how oil and gas are treated on emerging from the well.

Petroleum Refining Process

Module 5 discusses which molecules make up the different types of hydrocarbons, how contaminants in the oil are dealt with, why boiling points are important to the refining process, where refineries are located, what the two basic areas of a refinery are, what happens during the two main stages of refining, why each upgrading procedure is important and what happens before and after the refining process.

Transportation, Distribution and Delivery of Oil and Gas

Module 6 discusses why two basic transportation streams are used, how natural gas is transported, distributed and delivered, how crude oil is also transported, distributed and delivered, where refineries are located, how bulk and finished refined products reach their consumers and how using oil and gas affects the environment as well as the industry.

Marketing Petroleum Products

Module 7 discusses what the three marketing sectors of petroleum are, which forces control the nature of the petroleum market, where the major producers and major consumers are located, how crude oil is traded, how the supply and demand of petroleum is stabilized and how refined petroleum products are marketed.