Petroleum Engineering | Overall Introduction

Edited by Medo Hamdani 

Date: 10/05/2023

Petroleum geology and geophysics focus on the provision of a static description of the hydrocarbon reservoir rock, while petroleum engineering focuses on estimation of the recoverable volume of this resource using a detailed understanding of the physical behaviour of oil, water and gas within porous rock at very high pressure.

Petroleum engineering requires a good knowledge of many other related disciplines, such as 

• Geophysics [[1][3]] refers to the use of physics principles to study the earth's properties and structure, including the subsurface. Geophysics is used in petroleum engineering to locate and characterize reservoirs, monitor and optimize production, and study the surrounding geology. Common geophysical techniques include seismic imaging, gravity and magnetic surveys, and well logging. Understanding the results of geophysical surveys is essential for effective reservoir management and optimization.

• Petroleum geology [[1][2]] is the study of the origin, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons in the subsurface. It involves analyzing the geological history and characteristics of sedimentary basins to identify areas with high potential for oil and gas reserves. Petroleum geologists use various techniques such as seismic interpretation, well logging, and core analysis to determine the geological features of a reservoir, such as its structure, porosity, and permeability. This information is then used to develop exploration and production strategies.

• Formation evaluation or well logging [[1]] is the process of collecting and analyzing data from drilling and testing a well to determine the properties of the rocks and fluids surrounding it. This information is used to identify the potential for oil and gas production in a reservoir. Formation evaluation involves measuring parameters such as porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation through various techniques like acoustic, electrical, nuclear, and magnetic logging.

• Drilling [[1]] is the process of creating a borehole in the earth's surface to access and extract oil and gas reserves from a reservoir. Drilling involves multiple stages, including well planning, drilling design, drilling fluid management, and well completion. Advanced drilling techniques such as directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing have revolutionized the industry and enabled the extraction of previously inaccessible reserves.

• Economics [[2]] play a crucial role in the petroleum industry. It involves analyzing the costs and benefits of various exploration and production strategies, including the use of advanced technologies, to determine the most profitable approach. Economics is used to assess the viability of a project, considering factors such as oil prices, tax policies, and regulatory environments. It also involves analyzing the economic impact of the petroleum industry on a global scale.

• Reservoir simulation [[1]] involves creating a computer model of a reservoir to simulate its behavior over time. This information is used to optimize production and recovery rates by testing various production scenarios, identifying potential issues, and evaluating the impact of various operational decisions. Reservoir simulation is a critical tool for reservoir management, especially for unconventional and complex reservoirs.

• Reservoir engineering [[1]] involves the application of various engineering disciplines to optimize the production and recovery of oil and gas from a reservoir. It includes activities such as well testing, reservoir modeling, and production optimization. Reservoir engineers use data from geology, drilling, and formation evaluation to design and implement efficient production strategies.

• Well engineering [[1]] is the process of designing and constructing a well to ensure its safe and efficient operation throughout its lifetime. Well engineering involves well design, wellbore stability, drilling optimization, and well completion. Effective well engineering is critical for minimizing drilling risks, optimizing production, and maximizing the ultimate recovery of the reservoir.

• Artificial lift systems [[1]] are used to increase the production rate of a well by boosting the flow of oil or gas from the reservoir to the surface. Artificial lift systems involve the use of pumps or gas lift to overcome the natural pressure of the reservoir and bring the oil or gas to the surface. The selection of an appropriate artificial lift system depends on the reservoir characteristics and the production requirements.

• Completions [[1]] involve the design and installation of equipment and materials to ensure that a well can operate safely and efficiently. Completion activities include casing, cementing, perforating, and installing production tubing. Effective completions are critical for maintaining wellbore stability, preventing formation damage

• Petroleum production engineering is a specialized subset of petroleum engineering that involves designing and selecting subsurface equipment to produce oil and gas well fluids. Production engineers are responsible for maximizing the economic recovery of oil and gas reserves while minimizing operating costs and environmental impact. They use their technical knowledge and expertise to optimize the production process by selecting the most appropriate equipment and techniques to extract oil and gas from reservoirs. Production engineers work collaboratively with geologists, drilling engineers, reservoir engineers, and other professionals to design, monitor, and optimize production operations. They often hold degrees in petroleum engineering or other technical disciplines such as mechanical or chemical engineering, and receive additional training from oil and gas companies. Petroleum production engineering is a dynamic field that requires constant innovation and adaptation to new technologies and changing market conditions.

Petroleum engineers divide themselves into several types:

Reservoir engineers work to optimize the production of oil and gas via proper placement, production rates, and enhanced oil recovery techniques.

Drilling engineers manage the technical aspects of drilling exploratory, production and injection wells.

Drilling fluid engineers A mud engineer (correctly called a Drilling Fluids Engineer, but most often referred to as the "Mud Man") works on an oil well or gas well drilling rig and is responsible ensuring the properties of the drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, are within designed specifications.

Completion engineers (also known as subsurface engineers) work to design and oversee the implementation of techniques aimed at ensuring wells are drilled stably and with the maximum opportunity for oil and gas production.

Production engineers manage the interface between the reservoir and the well, including perforations, sand control, downhole flow control, and downhole monitoring equipment; evaluate artificial lift methods; and select surface equipment that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural gas, and water).

Petrophysicists gather information about subsurface properties to build wellbore stability models and study rock properties


References:

[1] "Petroleum production engineering is a subset of petroleum engineering. Petroleum production engineers design and select subsurface equipment to produce oil and gas well fluids. Wikipedia"

URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_production_engineering

[2] "The technology of drilling fluids was advanced, and directional drilling became a common practice. During the 1910s and 1920s several collections of papers were published on producing oil. The first dedicated petroleum engineering textbook was A Textbook of Petroleum Production Engineering (1924) by American engineer and educator Lester C. Uren."

URL: https://www.britannica.com/technology/petroleum-engineering

[3] "May 4, 2023 ·  petroleum production, recovery of crude oil and, often, associated natural gas from Earth. Petroleum is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon material that is believed to have formed from animal and vegetable debris in deep sedimentary beds. The petroleum, being less dense than the surrounding water, was expelled from the source beds and migrated upward through porous rock such as sandstone and ..."

URL: https://www.britannica.com/technology/petroleum-production

[4] "Petroleum production engineering is a subset of petroleum engineering. Petroleum production engineers design and select subsurface equipment to produce oil and gas well fluids . [1] They often are degreed as petroleum engineers , although they may come from other technical disciplines (e.g., mechanical engineering , chemical engineering , physicist ) and subsequently be trained by an oil and ..."

URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_production_engineering

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_engineering#Sub-disciplines