Last updated: 2025-09-27

Unconventional Reservoirs (Characterization, Evaluation, development, and Recovery)

This course includes the exploration, appraisal, and development of oil and gas resource plays. It identifies the data that need to be collected, how to analyze and interpret them, and how to integrate and apply this knowledge to the decision-making process. Case studies from a number of active plays.

1. Identify components of an active petroleum system, including source rocks, migration pathways, carrier beds and reservoir rocks.
2. Understand modern approaches to categorizing source rocks: their potential and distribution
3. Compare and contrast the rock and fluid characteristics of oil and gas resource play systems, including shales, sandstones, carbonates, and coals.
4. Understand what geoscience and engineering data need to be collected, including cores, logs, well tests, and production data.
5. Assess critical relationships between petrophysical, geochemical, and mechanical data.
6. Compare and contrast the different drilling and completion techniques used in these reservoirs and learn the key factors that control their selection.
7. Determine the value and effectiveness of multi-well completions.
8. Understand the production characteristics and forecasting tools that can be used for determining rates and ultimate recoveries from these wells.
9. Understand the geological and geophysical characteristics of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.
10. Apply advanced hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques to optimize recovery.
11. Design and implement Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods tailored for unconventional reservoirs.
12. Evaluate and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with unconventional hydrocarbon
13. recovery.
14. Integrate various recovery techniques to maximize hydrocarbon production.
15. Develop comprehensive action plans and strategies for successful unconventional hydrocarbon projects.
16. Stay informed about the latest trends and technological advancements in unconventional hydrocarbon recovery