Geology 51-460/660: Petroleum Geology (3 Credits)

Office hours: 1:50-2:50 M, 1:00-2:15 W & F and by appointment or chance.
Schedule: Lectures: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:10-10:10, Harrington Hall 217.

Important Dates: Spring Break, March 15-23; Semester end, May 16.

* Due dates, specifications and topics will be announced during the first week of the semester. Papers handed in after the due date will receive a late penalty.

† You will be required to do a 5 minute case study presentation and discussion, a 15-minute presentation, and participate in discussions throughout the semester.

Grade scale: 92% and up = A; 87-91 = AB; 82-86 = B; 77-81 = BC; 72-76 = C; 67-71 = CD; 60-66 = D; <60% = F

Graduate credit: Students enrolled in 660 (graduate credit) must meet with Dr. Hiatt to plan, develop and complete an additional research project. This project will involve a higher level of synthesis than is required of undergraduate students in this course. Graduate grade scale: 93% and up = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 69-72 =C-; 68% or less = F.

Required text: Selley, R.C., 1998, Elements of Petroleum Geology (2nd edition): Academic Press, Toronto, 470 p.

Course Summary: Petroleum is a diagenetic fluid produced by the thermally-driven alteration of marine organic matter in sedimentary rocks. Understanding the nature of the organic-rich source rock, the paleoaquifers in which the petroleum flowed, and the trapping mechanism are important parts of Petroleum Geology. A petroleum geologist needs to have a broad knowledge of sedimentary geology (sedimentology and petrography), stratigraphy, structural geology, and hydrogeology. All of these are components that are used to construct the evolutionary histories of sedimentary basins. Other areas that are important to the petroleum geologist are: knowledge of well log analysis, seismic interpretation, drilling techniques, and even economic factors, such as lease costs and other aspects of land acquisition. Thus, a successful petroleum geologist needs a broad background, and a willingness to learn and apply a wide range of information and techniques to the problems of finding, developing, and exploiting a petroleum reservoir.

Special Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services (424-3100 (voice) or 424-1319 (TTY)) or visit their web site at http://www.uwosh.edu/dean/disabilities.htm for the University’s accommodation request form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation request will be kept confidential.

Academic Integrity: The Wisconsin Administrative Code states: “Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others academic endeavors.” (§ UWS 14.01) Plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are serious offenses with severe penalties. See the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Student Discipline Code 2001-2002 for definitions of academic misconduct and details about procedures, sanctions, and other relevant information. Specific questions about the provisions in the Student Discipline Code should be directed to the Dean of Students Office. If you do not understand this statement, please see me as soon as possible.

Geology 460 Lecture Schedule.

* refers to chapters and pages in: Selley, R.C., 1998, Elements of Petroleum Geology (2nd edition): Academic Press, Toronto, 470 p.