JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Geology and Petroleum Geology

Course Objectives

The syllabus for Petroleum Exploration should be aimed at the student

to have a broad knowledge of exploration history in India. The student should know what are the basic methods which are used in petroleum exploration with special emphasis on gravity/magnetic and more importantly the students should understand in detail about the Seismic methods which are the back bone of the whole gamut of oil exploration. At the same time sedimentology and biostratigraphy are also important to understand the sedimentary sequences holding hydrocarbons as the knowledge of these will help in the log interpretation also.

Course Outcomes

The outcome this is to give insight for the student to have a broad based

understanding of the seismic exploration, viz its acquisition methods, processing and interpretation, as they have already had geology in 2 nd year course. The knowledge of these methods will go a long way along with the other paper i.e, logging methods for them to opt for upstream industry jobs if they so desire.

UNIT - I

Introduction: Overview of petroleum exploration in India, Introduction to Geophysical/Geological methods used in Petroleum Exploration.

UNIT - II

Sedimentlogical and biostratigraphic approaches in hydrocarbon exploration.

UNIT - III

Basic concepts of Gravity/Magnetic methods: Newton’s gravitational law- Units of gravity- Gravity measuring instruments- Gravity survey- Gravity anomalies- Gravity data reduction- Drift- latitude- Elevation and free air correction- Free air &bouguer anomalies- Gravity response of simple shapes- Interpretation of gravity anomalies- Application of gravity methods. The geomagnetic field- Magnetic anomalies- Magnetic survey-instruments- Field method of magnetic surveys- Reduction of magnetic data-Diurnal correction and geomagnetic correction- Interpretation of magnetic anomaly- Response of magnetic method for different type of bodies and geological structure- Application of magnetic surveys both overland and from air.

UNIT - IV

Basic Concepts of seismic methods: Seismic refraction surveys- Geometry of refracted path, planar interface- Two layer case with horizontal interface- Methodology of refraction

profiling- Recording instruments & energy sources- Corrections applied to refraction data Interpretation of refraction data- Application of seismic refraction method.

UNIT - V

Geometry of reflected ray path: Single horizontal reflector- The reflection seismograph and seismogram (Seismic traces)- Importance of seismic reflection survey over seismic refraction survey technique- Common depth point (CDP) profiling & stacking- 2D, 3D, & 4D seismic surveys- Field procedures & principles- Time corrections applied to seismic data- Data processing - Introduction to 2D & 3D data acquisition &interpretationof reflection data for identification of drillable structures. Well seismic shooting for velocity determination and Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP).

Text Books:

• 1. Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting, Milton B. Dobrin, and Carl H. Savit, th 4 Edition, McGraw Hill, 1988.
• 2. Outlines of Geophysical Prospecting: A Manual for Geologists, M.B. Ramachandra Rao, EBD Educational Pvt Ltd., 1993. th
• 3. Field Geophysics, John Milsom and Asger Eriksen, 4 Edition, John Wiley, 2011.

Reference Books:

• 1. Elements of Geology: Oil and Gas Exploration Techniques, J. Guillemot, Technip 1991.
• 2. Hydrocarbon well logging recommended practice, Society of professional well log analysts.
• 3. Open – Hole log analysis and formation evaluation, Richard M. Batemons, International Human Resources Development Corporation, Bostan, 1985.
• 4. Well Logging for Earth Scientists, Darwin V. Ellis, Julian M. Singer, Springer, 2007.
• 5. Fundamentals of Well Log Interpretation: The Acquisition of Data, Oberto Serra, Elsevier, 1984.
• 6. Well Logging Handbook, Oberto Serra, Editions Technip, 2008.