Fundamentals of Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

Overview

This training course provides a thorough grounding of all aspects of the upstream Oil and Gas exploration and production industry, presented in non-technical terms, such that it is relevant to industry-insiders, as well as to those outside, or just entering, the industry. The programme begins by placing the industry within the context of wider society, with a brief history, and discussion of the impacts it has on our daily lives. It then goes on to cover, in non-technical terms, the various scientific, engineering, managerial and commercial aspects of the industry. By means of presentations, videos, and lively debate, it addresses all aspects of the industry, from the creation of hydrocarbons deep inside the earth; through the exploration and discovery of reservoirs; the drilling of wells; the construction of surface facilities; and ultimately the delivery of a marketable commodity (Oil or Gas) to the point of sale. Furthermore, the four day training explores what makes the upstream Oil and Gas industry so different, including the long project timescales; the challenging environmental conditions; the complex production processes; the high risk / high reward commercial nature; and the need to operate responsibility with respect to health, safety, social and environmental matters. The roles of the key industry ‘players’ - governments, oil companies, regulators, service providers, banks, and so on - is discussed, as is the contribution of the wide range of professional disciplines - the geoscientists, engineers, and commercial specialists.

Who should attend?

• Professionals who need to learn about the industry
• Personnel within the industry
• Technical support staff entering the industry
• Technical staff who want to expand their understanding of the industry
• Students considering the industry as a career

Learning Objectives

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the oil and gas exploration and production industry
• To provide a historical, current and future perspective for both non-technical and technical staff
• To provide an overview of the principles of exploration, drilling, development and production
• To provide an understanding of what is happening in the industry
• To provide an understanding of what the future holds
• To understand the full lifecycle of exploration to product delivery
• To understand the nomenclature and terminology used in the industry

Course Content

Introduction

History and geopolitics of oil and gas

• Pre-history
• 1800s to the great wars
• Post war to present

The role of oil and gas in society

• The nature of oil and gas
• Uses for oil and gas

The big picture

• Upstream
• Midstream
• Downstream

Petroleum Geology

• Geological time
• Rock types
• Sedimentary basins
• Plate tectonics
• Source rocks
• Reservoirs
• Traps and seals

Exploration

• Gravity and magnetic surveying
• 2D, 3D and 4D seismic
• Field valuation
• Field appraisal

Drilling

• Drilling basics
• Casing and completing a well
• Sampling and testing
• Well information
• Well completions

Field development and production

• Field development planning
• Lifecycle costing
• Economic analysis
• Development drilling
• Facilities and production
• Abandonment

Petroleum contracts
Petroleum economics
Health, Safety and Environment

• Health considerations
• Safety considerations
• Environmental considerations

Alternatives

• Unconventionals
• Alternatives to oil and gas
• Carbon capture and storage (CO2 sequestration)

The future

• New technologies
• Where will we find oil and gas in the future?