Syllabus

Fall, 2008

460:207

9/2. Week 1 – Introduction

Introductory materials

Oil & gas introduction

Discussion topic – Hubbert’s Peak

9/9. Week 2 – Geologic time & sediments

Panel and questions – Hubbert’s Peak

Geologic time

Sediments

Discussion topic – NPR article: What’s behind the high oil prices?

9/16. Week 3 – Sedimentary rocks and source rocks

Panel and questions – What’s behind the high oil prices?

Preservation and burial of sediments within basins

Types of sedimentary rocks

Source rocks

Discussion topic – ANWR debate

9/23. Week 4 – Source-rock maturation

Panel and questions – ANWR debate

Source-rock maturation

Types of source rock

Discussion topic – Drilling off the east coast of North America

9/30. Week 5 – Reservoir rocks

Panel and questions – Drilling off the east coast of North America

Reservoir rocks

Discussion topic –Ghawar field

10/7. Week 6 – Deformation, migration pathways & traps

Panel and questions – Ghawar field

Deformation

Migration pathways, seals, and traps

Discussion topic -- Interview with a petroleum geologist

10/14. Week 7 – Seismic data and drilling

Interview questions for petroleum geologist

Seismic data

Individual exploration game

10/21. Week 8 – Maps, wells, and cross sections

Discussion of exploration game results

Maps & cross sections

Team project – Formation of team and determination of source-rock potential

10/28. Week 9 – Team exploration game

Team presentations

Interpretation of free data

Data purchase and interpretation

Submit first-round drilling proposals

Additional data purchase and interpretation

11/4. Week 10 – Team exploration game

Results of first-round drilling

Submit second-round drilling proposals

Additional data purchase and interpretation

Submit final-round drilling

Completion of all cross sections by individuals

11/11. Week 11 – Metallic ore deposits

Announcement of drilling results

Metallic vs. non-metallic ore deposits

Plate tectonics and plate-tectonic environments

Igneous rocks

Metallic ore deposits

Discussion topic – Interview with an exploration geologist

11/18. Week 12 – Non-metallic ore deposits

Interview with exploration geologist, Dr. Douglas Oliver

Non-metallic ore deposits and other natural resources

Discussion topic – Does New Jersey have metallic ore deposits?

12/2. Week 13 – Geology Museum tour and exercises

Exercises and homework assignment

12/9. Week 14 – New Jersey’s economic resources past and present

Panel and questions – metallic ore deposits of New Jersey

Geology of New Jersey

Economic resources of New Jersey

Final Exam