(Established under the Presidency University Act, 2013 of the Karnataka Act 41 of 2013)

[2022-23 EVEN / WINTER SEMESTER]

COURSE HAND OUT

School: School of Engineering Department: Petroleum Engineering

Date of
Issue: 23-01-2023
Name of the Program : B.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering

P.R.C. Approval Ref. : PU/AC-18.5/PET14/PET/2021-25

Semester / Year : IV / 2nd

PET 2014 / Geophysical methods for Oil and Gas
Course Code / Title : Exploration
Course Credit Structure : 3L 0P 3C

Contact Hours (Periods) : 39

Course Instructor In-
: Dr. Sidharth Gautam
charge
Course Instructor(s) : Dr. Sidharth Gautam

Course URL :
Program Outcomes (POs):
B. Tech. Program in Petroleum Engineering is designed to prepare graduates to attain
following Program Outcomes:

PO 01: Engineering Knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science,

engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialization to the solution of
complex engineering problems.
PO 02: Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze
complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first
principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
PO 03: Design / Development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering
problems and design system components or processes that meet the specified
needs with appropriate consideration for the public health and safety, and the
cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
PO 04: Conduct Investigations of Complex Problems: Use research-based knowledge
and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and
interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid
conclusions.
PO 05: Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources,
and modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to
complex engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations.
PO 06: The Engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual
knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the
consequent responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice.

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PO 07: Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional

engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate
the knowledge of, and need for sustainable development.
PO 08: Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and
responsibilities and norms of the engineering practice.
PO 09: Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual and as a
member or leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
PO 10: Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with
the engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to
comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make
effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
PO 11: Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
of the engineering and knowledge and understanding of the engineering and
management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and
leader in a team, to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
PO 12: Life-long Learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability
to engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broadest context of
technological change.

Course Prerequisites:
NIL

Course Description:
The aim of this Course is to understand different Oil and Gas exploration techniques used in
industry. It is a theory-based course where an overview of petroleum exploration methods will
be discussed. Global Oil and Gas Exploration Scenario with Role of Sedimentology,
Biostratigraphy, Geochemistry and Microfossils in Oil and Gas Exploration will be discussed.
Basic concepts, principles and limitations different Geophysical Methods like Gravity Survey,
Magnetic Survey, Electromagnetic Survey and Seismic Survey will be discussed along with
their applications in Oil and Gas Exploration.

Course Outcomes (COs):

On successful completion of the course the students shall be able to:

TABLE 1: COURSE OUTCOMES

CO Expected
Numbe CO Blooms
r Level
Explain basic features associated with the origin and maturation of
CO1 Knowledge
petroleum
CO2 Describe the geochemical methods for hydrocarbon detection Knowledge
Summarize the Magnetic and gravity survey method as well as Comprehensio
CO3 n
interpret the related anomalies
Demonstrate the theory and working behind different seismic Comprehensio
CO4 n
exploration methods

Mapping of COs with POs:

TABLE 2: CO PO Mapping ARTICULATION MATRIX

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PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

CO1 M L L L M H H L
CO2 M M M M L L H L
C03 M M L L L L H L
CO4 M M L L M M H L
H = High, M = Moderate, L = Low

Course Content (Syllabus):

Module 1: Geological Concepts of Petroleum
[6 Periods] [Knowledge Level]
Formation of Petroleum accumulations, Kerogen formation, Van Krevelen Diagram; Surface
indications of petroleum accumulation. Fossils and it’s application in Hydrocarbon Exploration.
Uses of Foraminifera, Calcareous nano-fossils, Nano-liths and Ostracods; Importance of
palynology and micropaleontology.

Module 2: Geochemical Methods

[5 Periods] [Knowledge Level]
Introduction to Geochemical methods, Seepage, Seepage activity, direct and indirect methods
of geochemical exploration, benefits of geochemical prospecting, limitations and uncertainties
of geochemical exploration

Module 3: Gravity and Magnetic Survey

[9 Periods] [Comprehension Level]
Introduction to gravity surveying, gravimeters, gravity corrections, applications of gravity
measurements, Magnetic survey: The earth’s geomagnetic field, field instruments, magnetic
response of simple shapes, Rock magnetism, Types of magnetism, magnetic anomalies and
correction and their application.

Module 4: Seismic Survey

[13 Periods] [Comprehension Level]
Waveforms: Theory of seismic reflectance, Seismic wave velocity of rock, Reflection
seismogram, shot gathers and CMP gathers, Attenuation of seismic energy along ray paths;
Equipment used in seismic survey, Multichannel reflection survey design; Interpretation of
seismic reflection data

Delivery Procedure (Pedagogy):

This is a theory-based course. Most of the lectures will be taken with the help of Power Point
Presentations and White Board. Videos will be shown for the better understanding of selective
topics. Flip Class Room sessions will be conducted on selective topics. Assignments will be given
to each student time-to-time after completion of considerable portion of the syllabus. Submission
of assignment on time is mandatory for all the students. Assignments, Quiz Competition and
Poster Presentation will carry 25% weightage under Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA).
Review classes will be conducted to clear doubts and to evaluate the level of understanding of
each student individually. Most of the lectures will be delivered offline
Following procedures will be adopted in the course for delivering the content:
(a) Self Learning Topics (SLT):
- Plate Tectonics & Continental Drift – Search for the Mechanism of Plate Movement

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- Sedimentology
- Single channel marine reflection profiling
- Seismic Tomography

(b) Experiential Learning Topics (ELT):

- Hydrocarbon Origin Theory
- Geochemical Exploration Techniques
(c) Participative Learning Topics (PLT):
- Seminar - Uncertainty and Risk Involved in Hydrocarbon Exploration: Indian Scenario
- Poster Presentation – Technical Advancements in Seismic Survey
(d) Technology Enabled Learning Topics (TET):
-3D Seismic Exploration to Find and Drill for Oil and Natural Gas Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h35KsRD0c0
- Seismic Data Acquisition by ONGC : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9EktRr_dgU
(e) Problem Based Learning Topics (PBLT):
- Numerical on Gravity survey correction
- Numerical on Seismic Survey

TABLE 3: SPECIAL DELIVERY METHOD / PEDAGOGY PLANNED WITH TOPICS

Sl. Pedagogy Title / Short Date of
Lecture Subtopic as per
No Explanation of Adopted Activity
Number Lesson Plan
. Pedagogy Conduction
Fossils and it’s
application in
1 L03 Video
Hydrocarbon
Exploration
Geochemical
2 L11 Video
prospecting
Demonstration of Magnetism in
3 L18 Rock magnetism
Laboratory
Attenuation of
4 L24 seismic energy along Video
ray paths

Reference Materials:
Text Book(s):
T1: Philip Kearey, Michael Brooks and Ian Hill, 2002. An Introduction to Geophysical
Exploration, 3rd Edition, Blackwell Science.
T2: W.M. Telford, L.P. Geldart and R.E. Sheriff, 1990. Applied Geophysics, 2nd Edition,
Cambridge University Press.
Reference Book(s):
R1: Milton B. Dobrin, and Carl H. Savit, 1988. Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting, 4th
Edition, McGraw Hill.
R2: M.B. Ramachandra Rao, 1993. Outlines of Geophysical Prospecting: A Manual for
Geologists, EBD Educational Pvt Ltd.
E-resources:
1. E- remote access portal: https://presiuniv.knimbus.com/user#/home
2. Basics of Hydrocarbon exploration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT9bXXKBtTk
3. Technical Guidance to Exploration & Production Plans: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-
030-45250
4. HELP (Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=xvdetYz7UIA
5. Using 3D Seismic Exploration to Find and Drill for Oil and Natural Gas Sources:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h35KsRD0c0
Any other Reference:
Class Note (CN)

Specific Guideline to Students:

(a) About the Course:

This is a theory-based course which will provide fundamental concepts of oil and gas
exploration processes. Assignments will be given to each student time-to-time after
completion of considerable portion of the syllabus. Submission of assignment on time is
mandatory for all the students.

(b) Notification / Announcement related to the Course:

All the course related notifications will be displayed on the Department Notice Board or the
same will be shared through email/ Whatsapp. All the announcements will be made during the
regular lecture hours as well.

(c) Academic Regulation

The students are advised to download the ‘Academic Regulations, 2020’, Regulation No.
PU/AC-13/16/11_2020, from Presidency University, Bengaluru website
(https://presidencyuniversity.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Academic-Regulations-2020.pdf)
and go through the Section Nos. 1.0 through 24.0.

Course Schedule:
Module-wise Macro Level planning for the course delivery schedule is provided below:
TABLE 4: COURSE BROAD SCHEDULE
Total
Planned Planned
Sl. Number
Activity Starting Concludin
No. of
Date g Date
Periods
01 Overview of the Programme and Course 01
02 Module 1 06
Activity related to Module 1 (CIA1): Literature
03
Review
04 Module 2 05
05 Activity related to Module 2 (CIA2): Quiz
06 Discussion on Mid Term Exam Question Pattern 01
07 Mid Term Exam
Discussion on Mid Term Exam Questions and
08 01
Answers
09 Module 3 09
10 Activity related to Module 3 (CIA3): Seminar
11 Module 4 13
Activity related to Module 4 (CIA4): Poster
12
Presentation
13 Course Integration 01

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14 Discussion on End Term Exam Question Pattern 01

16 End Term Exam
Discussion on End Term Exam Questions and
17 01
Answers

Detailed Schedule of Instruction:

Pedagogy Planned: Power Point Presentation, White Board, and Lecture
Module-wise Micro Level planning for course delivery schedule is provided below:
TABLE 5A: DETAILED COURSE SCHEDULE / LESSON PLAN – FOR THEORY
Session CO
Topic Sub-Topic Reference
No. Number
L01 Course Integration
Formation of Petroleum
L02 CO1 CN
accumulations
Kerogen formation, Van
L03 CO1
Krevelen Diagram
Surface indications of
L04 CO1
Geological petroleum accumulation
concept of Fossils and it’s application in
L05 CO1
exploration Hydrocarbon Exploration
Uses of Foraminifera,
L06 Calcareous nano-fossils, Nano- CO1
liths and Ostracods
Importance of palynology and
L07 CO1
micropaleontology
Activity related to
Module 1 (CIA1)
Module 1 Completed
Introduction to Geochemical
L08 CO2 R1
methods
L09 Seepage, Seepage activity CO2
Geochemical Direct and indirect methods of
L10 CO2
Methods geochemical exploration
Benefits of geochemical
L11 CO2
prospecting
Limitations and uncertainties of
L12 CO2
geochemical exploration
Activity related to
Module 2 (CIA2):
Module 2 Completed
Discussion on Mid Term Exam
L13 Mid Term Exam
Question Pattern
Mid Term Exam Mid Term Exam
Discussion on Mid Term Exam
L14 Mid Term Exam
Questions and Answers
Introduction to gravity R1 , Ch-06
L15 Gravity and CO3
surveying
Magnetic Survey R1 , Ch-06
L16 Gravimeters CO3

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L17 Gravity corrections, CO3 R1 , Ch-06

Applications of gravity R1 , Ch-06
L18 CO3
measurements
Magnetic survey: The earth’s R1 , Ch-07
L19 CO3
geomagnetic field
Field instruments, magnetic R1 , Ch-07
L20 CO3
response of simple shapes
L21 Rock magnetism CO3 R1 , Ch-07

L22 Types of magnetism CO3 R1 , Ch-07

Magnetic anomalies and
L23 CO3 R1, Ch-07
correction and their application
Activity related to
Module 3 (CIA3)
Module 3 Completed
Waveforms: Theory of seismic
L24 CO4 R1, Ch-03
reflectance
L25 Seismic wave velocity of rock CO4 R1, Ch-03
L26 CO4 R1, Ch-04
Reflection seismogram
L27 CO4 R1, Ch-04
L28 CO4 R1, Ch-04
shot gathers and CMP gathers
L29 CO4 R1, Ch-04
L30 Seismic Survey CO4 R1, Ch-04
Attenuation of seismic energy
L31 along ray paths CO4 R1, Ch-04

L32 CO4 R1, Ch-04

Equipment used in seismic
L33 survey CO4 R1, Ch-04

L34 CO4 R1, Ch-04

Multichannel reflection survey
L35 design CO4 R1, Ch-04
Interpretation of seismic R1, Ch-04
L36 CO4
reflection data
Activity related to
Module 4 (CIA4)
Module 4 Completed
L37 Course Integration
Discussion on End Term Exam
L38 End Term Exam
Question Pattern
End Term Exam End Term Exam
Discussion on End Term Exam
L39 End Term Exam
Questions and Answers

Assessment Schedule:
TABLE 6: ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

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Duratio
Sl. CO Venue,
Assessmen n Mark Weightag
No Contents Numb Date,
t Type in s e
. er and Time
Hours
Literature Review
- “Submission of
e-resource
Review Report
along with a
Screenshot of the
Activity Student visiting
related to the e-resource”
01 CO1 10 5
Module 1 (Review of
(CIA1) Digital/e-
resources from
Presidency
University link
(:https://presiuni
v.knimbus.com/u
ser#/home).
Activity
related to Quiz – Based on
02 CO2 10 5 Classroom
Module 2 Module 1 and 2
(CIA2)

Mid Term
03 2 50 25
Exam

Seminar -
Activity Uncertainty and
related to Risk Involved in
04 CO3 15 7.5 Classroom
Module 3 Hydrocarbon
(CIA3) Exploration:
Indian Scenario
Activity
Poster
related to
05 Presentation – CO4 15 7.5 Classroom
Module 4
Seismic Survey
(CIA14)

End Term
06 3 100 50
Exam

Course Clearance Criteria:

AS PER ACADEMIC REGULATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY

Make-Up Exam Policy:

AS PER ACADEMIC REGULATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY

Contact Timings in the Chamber for any Discussion:

The students can visit at Wednesday 09.50 -10.40 AM

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Sample Thought Provoking Questions:

TABLE 7: SAMPLE THOUGHT PROVOKING QUESTIONS
Sl.
Mar CO Bloom’s
No Question
ks No. Level
.
“The presence of brine in abundant zones is tenet of the
Comprehensi
1 organic theory of origin of petroleum”. Express your 10 CO1
on
critical thoughts on the above statement.
Describe the various limitations, uncertainties and
Comprehensi
2 benefits associated with geochemical methods with 10 CO2
on
respect to other hydrocarbon exploration methods.
During the surveying it is observed that data obtained
Comprehensi
3 using the methods of reduction of gravity and magnetic 10 CO3
on
data differ. Describe the fundamental principle
Explain Vertical Seismic Profiling? Demonstrate it’s Comprehensi
4 10 CO4
advantages over conventional surface seismic survey? on

Target Set for Course Outcome attainment:

TABLE 8: TARGET SET FOR ATTAINMENT OF EACH CO and ATTAINMENT ANALYSIS
after RESULTS
Remarks
on
Target Set Attainmen
Actual CO
for t and
Sl. Threshol Attainmen
CO Attainmen Measures
No Course Outcome d Set for t in
Number t in to
. the CO Percentag
Percentag enhance
e
e the
Attainmen
t
Explain basic features
associated with the 60
1 CO1 25
origin and maturation
of petroleum
Describe the
geochemical methods 55
2 CO2 25
for hydrocarbon
detection
Summarize the
Magnetic and gravity
3 C03 survey method as well 25 40
as interpret the related
anomalies
Demonstrate the
theory and working
4 CO4 behind different 25 55
seismic exploration
methods.

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Signature of the Course Instructor In-charge(s):

APPROVAL:
This course has been duly verified and approved by the D.A.C.

Signature of the Chairperson D.A.C.:

Name and Signature of the Instructor In-Charge(s):

(AFTER completing entries in Table number 3 and 8 at end of semester)

Name and Signature of the DAC Chairperson:

(AFTER completing entries in Table number 3 and 8 at end of semester)

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BLOOM'S TAXONOMY SAMPLE VERBS

Learning Outcomes Verbs at Each Bloom Taxonomy Level to be used for writing
the course Outcomes.

TABLE 9: REFERENCE SAMPLES OF BLOOMS TAXONOMY VERBS

Cognitive
Illustrative Verbs Definitions
Level
arrange, define, describe, duplicate, identify,
remembering
label, list, match, memorize, name, order,
Knowledge previously learned
outline, recognize, relate, recall, repeat,
information
reproduce, select, state
classify, convert, defend, discuss, distinguish,
estimate, explain, express, extend,
grasping the
Comprehensio generalize, give example(s), identify, indicate,
meaning of
n infer, locate, paraphrase, predict, recognize,
information
rewrite, report, restate, review, select,
summarize, translate
apply, change, choose, compute,
demonstrate, discover, dramatize, employ,
applying knowledge
Application illustrate, interpret, manipulate, modify,
to actual situations
operate, practice, predict, prepare, produce,
relate schedule, show, sketch, solve, use write
analyze, appraise, breakdown, calculate,
breaking down
categorize, classify, compare, contrast,
objects or ideas into
criticize, derive, diagram, differentiate,
simpler parts and
Analysis discriminate, distinguish, examine,
seeing how the
experiment, identify, illustrate, infer,
parts relate and are
interpret, model, outline, point out, question,
organized
relate, select, separate, subdivide, test
arrange, assemble, categorize, collect,
combine, comply, compose, construct, create,
rearranging
design, develop, devise, explain, formulate,
Synthesis component ideas
generate, plan, prepare, propose, rearrange,
into a new whole
reconstruct, relate, reorganize, revise, rewrite,
set up, summarize, synthesize, tell, write
appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose,
compare, conclude, contrast, defend, making judgments
describe, discriminate, estimate, evaluate, based on internal
Evaluation
explain, judge, justify, interpret, relate, evidence or
predict, rate, select, summarize, support, external criteria
value

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