Beneath the Surface

Earth’s Interior Layers

Plate Tectonics

Types of Boundaries and Geologic Processes

Rocks vs Minerals

Types of Igneous Rocks

Types of Metamorphic Rocks

Types of Sedimentary Rocks

The Rock Cycle

Divisions of Geologic Time

Major Events in Earth’s History

Paleozoic Era

Mesozoic Era

Cenozoic Era

Relative Dating and Stratigraphy

Relative Dating Principles

Relative Dating Practice Problems

Absolute Dating and Radioactive Decay

Absolute Dating Practice Problems

Understanding Earth’s History to Locate Oil and Gas

Types of Fossils

Fossilization Processes

Trace Fossils and Their Importance

Application of Fossil Record to Petroleum Geology

What is a petroleum system?

Elements of a petroleum system

Processes of a petroleum system

Types of hydrocarbons: oil, dry gas, wet gas

Oil and Gas Window

Conventional vs. Unconventional

What is an EOD?

External Processes – Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, Lithification

EOD Role in Sedimentary Rock Formation

Types of EODs

History of HC Exploration and Production

Rocks, Geologic Time, and Fossil Fuels – Putting it all together

Tectonics and Stratigraphy

How rock characteristics discussed in first lesson relates to characteristics of source rock, reservoir rock, seals/cap rock, migration pathways.

Porosity and Permeability, Well Logs?

Using Microfossils to Locate Oil and Gas?

Why Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Pennsylvania? Using Geologic Time and Fossils to Understand Ancient Environments

Use of Technology for Exploration – Landsat Data, LiDAR, etc?