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What Does a Petroleum Geologist Do? Five Things!

Step 1 – The Petroleum Geologist Prospects

Prospecting is the work the geologist does to locate a place to drill a test hole, which hopefully can be turned into a producing well.

Most petroleum geologists work in an office, where they have access to a lot of data. They use the data to construct maps, cross-sections, and databases. These tools help them locate the best places to drill their test holes.

The geologist studies his maps and cross-sections and runs computer simulations that help him select the next best location to drill. He always thinks about the next drilling location or prospect.

The geologist wants to know what type of trap he is dealing with, and the composition of sedimentary rocks he will be drilling through. He needs to estimate the porosity of his prospective “pay zone.” He wants to know if dangerous high pressure can be expected in the new hole. If seismic data is involved in the prospect, he will consult with the geophysicist and get his opinion of the prospect.

The geologist is interested in anything that happens in the area, particularly news of new discoveries by other companies. If he sees a promising new area, he will recommend to the land department that an attempt should be made to lease the land; the leased acreage will then be available for drilling later.

When the geologist has finally found the correct spot, he spends much time cross-checking to ensure he has not missed anything. He wants to make sure he is not “surprised” by any of the following:

· discovering the selected location was already drilled by another company 40 years ago (and was dry);

· discovering that his company has no legal right to drill on the location (lease problems);

· unexpected faults or other geologic problems that crop up during drilling and ruin the prospect;

· discovering that the hole is being drilled in the wrong place after drilling begins (a very bad thing that has actually happened! ).

Step 2 – The Petroleum Geologist Packages the Deal

Once the new location is defined, and the geologist is satisfied the prospect is a good one, the work is just beginning. He has a large amount of rough data available in the form of work maps that he used to satisfy himself of the feasibility. Now, he must condense this large data mass into a set of presentation materials that can be shown to non-geologists.

Step 3 – The Petroleum Geologist Sells the Deal

Now the geologist must step into a role that is often uncomfortable for him – selling his prospect. It may be uncomfortable because geologists are scientists, with scientific backgrounds and schooling. They are used to talking to other scientists. But now the geologist must become a salesman in order to convince people who are not geology experts of the value of the prospect. These people may include managers, bankers, engineers, and oil and gas investors.

The geologist is looking to convince his clients that

· the prospect is worth drilling;

· investors will get a fair return for their money;

· the provided financing will be money spent wisely.

Even an inexpensive test hole can cost a couple of million dollars, and some exploration tests may run into many tens of millions. So the geologist wants to be very sure of his facts. All his clients must believe the proposed well has a reasonable chance of being successful.

Step 4 – The Petroleum Geologist Monitors the Drilling of the Test

Next comes the part that every geologist enjoys the most – drilling the hole. The energy company engages a drilling contractor who owns and operates the drilling rig.

Drilling a hole is a very complex procedure involving many people and many critical steps. Nearly everything must go right. Dangerous machinery, bad weather, and continuous mechanical failures are faced daily. The work goes on for weeks to months, 24 hours a day, nonstop. A slip-up at any point can ruin the very expensive hole, cost a fortune, or get people killed.

The geologist will closely monitor all aspects of the drilling as it takes place. He will decide where and when to take cores or drill-stem tests. Finally, after the hole is logged with electric logs, he will examine the logs and recommend the hole be completed or plugged.

Step 5 – The Petroleum Geologist Works with the Engineer to Complete the Well

At last the hole is drilled! At this time, a decision must quickly be made to attempt a completion and make the hole a well, or plug the dry hole. Completion costs are extremely high, so it must be believed the expensive completion will be worth the money. No one wants to throw good money after bad.

The job of completing the hole is mainly in the hands of the petroleum engineer. The geologist will give the engineer a list of formation tops, and tell the engineer exactly which zones should be tested. The geologist may suggest a certain style or method of perforation, or offer advice on cementing techniques. Working as a team, the geologist and petroleum engineer will get the new well completed, and put it to work producing hydrocarbons.

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