Beneath the Surface explores the deep connection between geology and petroleum engineering, showing how Earth’s processes shape the search for hydrocarbons such as oil and natural gas. Understanding how rocks form, how environments change over time, and how Earth’s history is recorded in the rock record allows scientists to narrow down where hydrocarbons accumulate in the subsurface.
The course begins with Earth’s formation and examines the internal and external geological processes that create rocks, minerals, and ultimately hydrocarbon deposits. It addresses key questions such as: Where do hydrocarbons come from? When did the organisms that created them live? By exploring the geologic time scale and the evolution of life, you will learn how rock layers and fossils act as evidence that helps reconstruct ancient environments.
You will also discover how scientists determine the relative and absolute ages of rocks—using principles of stratigraphy and radioactive isotopes—to build a timeline of Earth’s past. Because fossils form through the same processes that create sedimentary rocks, the course takes a deeper look at fossilization, types of fossils, and how fossil evidence helps identify potential hydrocarbon-rich areas.
After establishing a strong foundation in Earth’s history and geologic processes, the course shifts to applied petroleum geology. You will explore different types of subsurface oil traps and learn how the physical properties of rocks and minerals influence hydrocarbon migration. The lesson on environments of deposition demonstrates how specific aquatic settings create particular sedimentary layers—knowledge that geologists and engineers use to more accurately locate hydrocarbons and to extract them efficiently while minimizing water use, energy consumption, and environmental impact.
Finally, the course traces the evolution of hydrocarbon exploration and production technologies. You will learn how plate tectonics, stratigraphy, and modern geological tools guide scientists in identifying promising regions for hydrocarbon discovery around the world.