ERB303 Energy Resources and Basin Analysis

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

The vast majority of the world's energy is derived from fossil fuels. Advanced concepts of stratigraphy and basin analysis are fundamental for exploration, evaluation, exploitation and conservation of oil, gas, coal and water in sedimentary rocks. Knowledge of subsurface geologic methods using core, well and geophysical data is essential for anyone wishing to enter the petroleum, coal or strata-bound minerals industry. This unit will cover advanced basin analysis concepts and combine project based learning and practical exercises to provide insight into the exploration of petroleum and other natural resources.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Analyse sequences of sedimentary rocks in basins of different types and geometries to explain the stratal architecture of a basin as a function of the interaction of paleogeography, paleoclimate, eustatic fluctuations, tectonics, thermal history and sediment fill.
2. Summarize petroleum genesis, habitats, generation, migration, traps, seals and reservoirs as well as oil and gas field appraisal techniques.
3. Construct correlations of sedimentary sequences using an array of stratigraphic data, facies analysis and subsurface geophysical and well log data.
4. Develop problem identification and problem solving skills for practical and theoretical petroleum geology and basin evolution issues.
5. Assess subsurface management issues and relationships between resource extraction, environmental protection and societal needs.
6. Prepare written reports and oral presentations to a professional standard.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit uses an inquiry-based approach, combining lectures, self-directed online and library research, practical exercises in a collaborative setting, and interactive seminars to provide you with the theoretical skills and practical experience to interpret sedimentary basin architecture and evolution. Your participation in practical exercise will enhance problem-solving skills and develop skills in the evaluation and communication of geological data. Lectures and practicals are assessed in a final project report. The lectures will be delivered in a synchronous online module.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Weekly feedback on practical exercises. Written feedback on theoral presentations and logging exercise.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment of this unit will include a problem-solving task, a student presentation and a project. If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Stratigraphic logging practice during class time will be summarized with an exercise utilizing two real world coring and sampling techniques (mudlog derived rock chips and diamond core)

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Project (applied)

A research and analytical project on basin evolution and petroleum exploration and its potential relationship to environmental and societal needs. The project will require students to write an extended abstract and give an oral presentation.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Final Project Report (written)

Description: Geological report on the tectonic and sedimentary architecture of a given basin and its energy resources, wherein all concepts and practices explored in class are summarized and utilized.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no significant risks relating to this unit.