Study information

Energy Resource Geology - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEEnergy Resource Geology CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECSM3061 MODULE CONVENERDr Sev Kender
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 12 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Energy is one of humanity’s most important resources, yet at the same time one of the largest causes of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Our continuous need to find new energy resources requires geologists to locate and produce them, but also to try to influence Government policy decisions on energy resources. This module will provide you with a framework to understand the main geological energy resources including oil, gas, coal, unconventional (e.g. shale gas), uranium and critical metals for the renewables industry. In lectures, we will explore the stratigraphic, biological and depositional settings of fossil fuel origins; we will consider the stages required in the exploration for and production of these resources with a geological focus on hydrocarbons and also consider the differing environmental impacts of these resources. In practicals you will gain hands-on experience of the relevant techniques used for interpreting organic geochemistry, petrophysical logs, seismic profiles, constructing stratigraphy and correlation.

You must have previously studied Stratigraphy and Palaeontology (CSM1035), Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (CSM2183) and Structural Geology (CSM2182) in order to undertake this module. It is therefore unsuitable for non-specialist students and is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways, unless the pre-requisite modules have been studied.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module provides an overview of the main geological energy resources of the planet, including hydrocarbon origins, chemical composition, reservoirs seals and traps, conventional and unconventional fields, uranium and coal formation, geosequestration and environmental impacts.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Able to describe the distribution of fossil fuels on earth, and the history of its extraction;
2 Demonstrate knowledge of the stratigraphic tools used in exploration;
3 Interpret geophysical logs and seismic surveys with respect to basin modeling and hydrocarbon sources;
4 Able to describe the different types of hydrocarbon sources, reservoirs and traps;
5 Able to describe the chemical composition of hydrocarbons and diagenetic pathways;
6 Demonstrate knowledge of major conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon fields;
7 Able to describe the formation and extraction of both coal and uranium ore deposits;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
8 Demonstrate knowledge of the environmental impacts and potential mitigations of fossil fuel usage;
9 Appreciate the geological methods required in the exploration for, and production of energy resources;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
10 Collect and integrate different types of datasets and report the results accordingly; 11 Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate scientific data.
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

- Introduction to the module: history of fossil fuel exploration, potential careers;

- Basin-types and stratigraphic techniques for industry, (sequence, logging, biostratigraphy);

- Coal: biological origin, burial and diagenesis;

- Source rocks: biological origin of coal, oil and gas, depositional settings, diagenesis, chemical composition, petroleum generation, migration and alteration;

- Reservoir rocks, seals and traps: clastics, carbonates, depositional models and factors affecting quality;

- Unconventionals and future directions: Shale gas/oil, coalbed methane, tight gas and oil sands;

- Proven resources in prolific basins and frontier basins;

- Environmental impacts, geosequestration, global warming and policy;

- Energy metals: from uranium and lithium exploration to critical metals for renewables.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 30 Guided Independent Study 120 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 30 10 hours Lectures; 20 hours Practical Work
Guided Independent Study 120 Independent Study, guided by Reading List

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Drop-In Presentation Plan Clinic 1 hour (Approx.) 8, 10, 11 Oral; informal session held during the assignment period to address any deficiencies in skills or knowledge

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 70 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Presentation 30 A 15 minute review of the evidence for environmental impacts and mitigation 8, 10, 11 Mark and individual feedback via attainment against proforma marking scheme
Examination 70 2 hrs 1-9, 11 Question by question, general feedback to the group

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Presentation Essay 8, 10, 11 August Ref/Def Period
Examination Theory Exam 1-9 August Ref/Def Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic Reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Bjorlykke, K. (Ed.) Petroleum Geoscience. From Sedimentary Environments to Rock Physics 2nd Springer 2015 978-3-642-02332-3
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES CSM1035, CSM2182, CSM2183
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 6th July 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 16th September 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH Energy Resources; Oil; Gas; Coal; Uranium; Unconventional Environment

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.