Elements Of Petroleum Geology - 2nd edition

Selley, Richard : University of London

Richard Selley is Professor of Applied Sedimentology in the Department of Geology, Imperial College, University of London. He has been involved in petroleum exploration across the globe and has published 5 text books and many papers on sedimentology and its application to petroleum exploration and production. Richard Selley has been awarded the Murchison Fund of the Geological Society, has been a Distinguished Lecturer of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia, and was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Praise for the Second Edition:

"This comprehensive, stimulating book conveys information with intelligence, clear illustrations, and marvelous wit. The author writes with clarity and authority and with a grasp of the subject matter that is lightly presented."

-- Fouad Michael, Western Geophysical, Houston, Texas, The Leading Edge

"...this book is extremely well written and easy to read...I would highly recommend this book as an excellent introduction to the field in university courses, to those new in petroleum industry, to nongeoscientists working with geologists, and those interested in a review of petroleum geology. I recommend Selley's text for its easy and clear text and 332 illustrations, especially for college students and those interested in concise review. This text will carry forward aspects of petroleum geology into the XXI century."

-- Marcio R. Mello, Center of Excellence of Geochemistry

"...an authoritative piece of work written by an author with over 30 years experience. If you require an overview of petroleum geoscience, I recommend you buy the Elements of Petroleum Geology."

-- Giancario Rizzi, Core Carbonates, PESGB Review

Praise for the First Edition:

"Works well as a college-level introductory text and as a reference for informed nongeologists, such as geophysicists or petroleum engineers."

-- American Association of Petroleum Geologists

"An excellent [and] very readable text for final year undergraduates."

-- Nature

"An excellent book, ideal for the inexperienced, and a good review for those who have been around for a while."

-- Society of Exploration Geophysicists

Academic Press Web Site
March, 2000

Introduction:

Historical Review of Petroleum Exploration.
Petroleum from Noah to OPEC.
Evolution of Petroleum Exploration Concepts and Techniques.
The Context of Petroleum Geology.
Relationship of Petroleum Geology to Science.
Relationship of Petroleum Geology to Petroleum Exploration and Production.

The Physical and Chemical Properties of Petroleum:

Natural Gases.
Hydrocarbon Gases.
Nonhydrocarbon Gases.
Gas Hydrates.
Composition and Occurrence.
Identification and Economic Significance.
Crude Oil.
Chemistry.
Classification.

Methods of Exploration:

Well Drilling and Completion.
Cable Tool Drilling.
Rotary Drilling.
Various Types of Drilling Unit.
Various Types of Production Unit.
Formation Evaluation.
Electric Logs.
Quantitative Calculation of Hydrocarbon Saturation.
Radioactivity Logs.
The Sonic, or Acoustic, Log.
Porosity Logs in Combination.
Dipmeter Log and Borehole Imaging.
Uses of Logs in Petrophysical Analysis Summary.
Applications of Logs in Facies Analysis.
Geophysical Methods of Exploration.
Magnetic Surveying.
Gravity Surveying.
Magnetic and Gravity Surveys Summary.
Seismic Surveying.
Borehole Geophysics and 4D Seismic.
The vertical Seismic Profile (VSP).
4D Seismic.
Subsurface Geology.
Geological Cross-Sections.
Subsurface Geological Maps.
Remote Sensing.
Visual Remote Sensing.
Radar.
Multispectral Scanning.
Conclusions.

The Subsurface Environment:

Subsurface Waters.
Analysis.
Genesis.
Chemistry of Subsurface Waters.
Subsurface Temperatures.
Basic Principles.
Local Thermal Variations.
Regional Thermal Variations.
Subsurface Pressures.
Measurement.
Basic Principles.
Supernormal Pressures.
Subnormal Pressures.
Subsurface Fluid Dynamics.
Pressure-Temperature Relationships.
Secondary Migration of Petroleum.
Fluid Dynamics of Young and Senile Basins Summary.

Generation and Migration of Petroleum.

Origin of Petroleum:

Organic of Inorganic.
Hydrocarbons from the Mantle.
Genesis of Petroleum by Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.
Abiogenic versus Biogenic Genes of Petroleum Conclusion.
Modern Organic Processes on the Earth's Surface.
Productivity and Preservation of Organic Matter.
Preservation of Organic Matter in Ancient Sediments.
Formation of Kerogen.
Shallow Diagenesis of Organic Matter.
Chemistry of Kerogen.
Maturation of Kerogen. Paleothermometers.
Petroleum Migration.
Expulsion of Hydrocarbons as Protopetroleum.
Expulsion of Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Solution.
Expulsion of Oil in Gaseous Solution.
Primary Migration of Free Oil.
The Petroleum System.
Measurement of the Distance of Petroleum Migration.
The Petroleum System and Basin Modeling.
Hydrocarbon Generation and Migration Summary.

The Reservoir:

Porosity.
Definition and Classification.
Porosity Measurement.
Permeability.
Fundamental Principles.
Permeability Measurement.
The Interpretation of Permeability Data.
Capillary Pressure.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Texture.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Grain Shape.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Grain Size.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Grain Sorting.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Grain Packing.
Relationship Between Porosity, Permeability, and Grain Orientation.
Effects of Diagenesis on Reservoir Quality.
Effects of Diagenesis on Sandstone Reservoirs.
Effects of Diagenesis on Carbonate Reservoirs.
Atypical and Fractured Reservoirs.
Reservoir Continuity.
Depositional Barriers.
Diagenetic Barriers.
Structural Barriers.
Reservoir Characterization.
Reserve Calculations.
Preliminary Volumetric Reserve Calculations.
Postdiscovery Reserve Calculations.
Production Methods.
Water Drive.
Gas Cap Drive.
Dissolved Gas Drive.
Artificial Lift and Enhanced Recovery.

Traps and Seals:

Introduction.
Nomenclature of a Trap.
Distribution of Petroleum within a Trap.
Tar Mats.
Tilted Fluid Contracts.
Seals and Cap Rocks.
Classification of Traps.
Structural Traps.
Anticlinal Traps.
Fault and Fault-Related Traps.
The Relationship Between Structural Traps and Tectonic Setting.
Diapiric Traps.
Salt Domes.
Mud Diapirs.
Stratigraphic Traps.
Stratigraphic Traps Unrelated to Unconformities.
Stratigraphic Traps Related to Unconformities.
Relationship Between Stratigraphic Traps and Sedimentary Facies.
Hydrodynamic Traps.
Combination Traps.
Astrobleme Traps.
Traps Conclusion.
Timing of Trap Development Relative to Petroleum Migration and Reservoir Deposition.
Relative Frequency of the Different Types of Trap.

Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum Systems:

Basic Concepts and Terms.
Mechanisms of Basin Formation.
Classification of Sedimentary Basins.
Cratonic Basins.
Intracratonic Basins.
Epicratonic Embayments.
Troughs.
Geosynclines and Plate Tectonics.
Back-Arc Troughs.
Fore-Arc Troughs.
The Rift-Drift Suite of Basins.
Rifts.
Failed Rift Basins Aulacogens.
Strike-Slip Basins.
Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum Systems.
Distribution of Hydrocarbons in Different Types of Basin.
Distribution of Hydrocarbons within Basins.

Non-Conventional Petroleum Resources:

Introduction. Plastic and Solid Hydrocarbons.
The Occurrence of Plastic and Solid Hydrocarbons.
Composition.
Tar Sands.
The Composition of Tar Sands.
The Geological Distribution of Tar Sands.
The Origin of Tar Sands.
Extraction of Oil from Tar Sands.
Oil Shales.
The Chemical Composition of Oil Shales.
The Distribution of Oil Shales.
The Extraction of Oil and Oil Shales.
Shale Gas and Coal Bed Methane.
Shale Gas.
Coalbed Methane.

Conclusions:

Prospects and Probabilities.
Prospect Appraisal.
Geological Aspects.
Economic Aspects.
Reserves and Resources.
Assessment of Basin Reserves.
Assessment of Global Reserves.

Appendices.
Appendix A: Well Classification Scheme.
Appendix B: Standard Units and Conversions.
Appendix C: Glossary.