Courses
MSc Double Degree Petroleum Engineering
1. Year
1. Semester (Winter)
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Prerequisites
no
Synopsis
Selected chapters and actual topics from the petroleum business. Every student gets the chance to dive into selected topics of Petroleum Economics, in a way that under guidance of an advisor he is able to write a scientific article in SPE-paper style.
Objective
The aim of the course is to enable the student to write autonomously a scientific literature paper.
Grading
paper, written
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Mag.phil.
UrsulaHofmeister
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BSC courses in PE
Synopsis
The lectures will cover various types of situations where a crisis have occurred and describe the importance of setting up a crisis management system. The steps and procedures that have to be followed will be taught and different approaches to remediation will be discussed in the class. These are crucial details that nurtures the participants’ sense of responsibility while improving their competence in leadership. In addition, the students will also get trained in a TV studio in a simulation that strengthens their character and self-confidence, as well as their conversational and promoting skills. All this will allow them to take charge in case of a disaster or even act as company’s spokesperson. Successful participants will be able to identify the crisis potential. They will be capable of setting up a crisis organization within a short period of time. The ability of internal and external communication will be demonstrated and strengths and weaknesses will be identified.
Objective
This lecture intends to prepare the students for situations where unexpected events occur and need to be dealt with in a short amount of time. It trains the students, as future engineers and managers, to handle tough situations, make decisions and claim responsibilities.
Grading
In-class practice rounds are discussed and evaluated by the lecturers as well as the fellow students. Also a written exam will be given to evaluate the theoretical knowledge of the students.
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Mag. (FH)
BirgitStoiser
Synopsis
Introduction to Decision and Risk Analysis -Decision Elements, Decisions & Outcomes, Hard decisions Multi-objective decision-making methodology -Structuring/Framing the decision situation -Evaluating/Modelling the decision -Deciding, sensitivity analysis and assessing trade-offs Assessing and Modeling Risk & Uncertainty -Review & development of relevant probability, statistics and economics concepts -Monte Carlo simulation Influence Diagrams and Decision-tree analysis Creating Value in Uncertain Decision Situations -Value of Information -Value of Flexibility (Handling attitude to risk) Psychological and judgmental aspects of decision-making & uncertainty assessment
Objective
The aim of this course is to deepen the knowledge and to give further insights in Decision Making and Risk Analysis in the oil business.
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Geomodeling
Geomodeling
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
DorisGroß
Prerequisites
Sound understanding of sedimentology, basic petroleum geology and applied geophysics (bachelor level)
Synopsis
The participants learn well correlation and sedimentological interpretation of geophysical well logs as well as software-based interpretation of horizons and faults in reflection seismic data (horizon and fault picking). Based on the seismic horizons, fault patterns, log information and petrophysical data, the building of static reservoir models will be explained.
Objective
Ability to establish simple static reservoir models
Grading
2 Interim Test Final Test or Course Work
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
Project Management for Industrial Management
Project Management for Industrial Management
DanielHendling
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Framework & processes: Definition of a project & Project Management, processes, standards, link between project management and the functional organization Initiation & planning: Finding ideas, project charter, scope/time/cost planning, Work Breakdown Structure Executing & controlling: Scope/time/cost controlling, cycles, methods, managing baseline changes PM-software: MS-Project, Trello/collaboration tools, PM via Excel, WBSTool Communication & documentation: Communication models & methods, communication planning, stakeholder management, documentation Organization (HR): Organization charts, roles and responsibilities, decision making Risk management: Identification, assessment, managing risks, reassessment/cycles Program & portfolio management, maturity: Definition of a program, managing a program, definition of a portfolio, managing a portfolio, stage gate models, maturity Managing people: Leadership, interpersonal skills, management skills, communication Conflicts & crisis: Conflict management, crisis management
Objective
The participants know the basics of professional Project Management and they are able to effectively initiate, plan and manage/control projects. The knowledge will also help the participants prepare for an optional certification according to the international PMI-standard (e.g. CAPM / Certified Associate in Project Management).
Grading
written written and/or oral Multiple-choice test in each following class
Reservoir Engineering 2: Storage, Sequestration and Geothermal...
Reservoir Engineering 2: Storage, Sequestration and Geothermal Energy
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Objective: The course aims to broaden the participant’s knowledge and perspective in reservoir engineering beyond the area of oil and gas production. Participants will get familiar with gas storage, acid gas and CO2 sequestration, energy recovery through CO2 injection and from geothermal systems. Content: We will apply reservoir engineering methods to non-oil and gas subsurface processes and operations, and address topics specific for the respective operations. The course covers reservoir engineering and operational aspects of: CO2 injection for sequestration, enhanced oil recovery and enhanced coal bed methane, natural gas and hydrogen Storage and geothermal energy production with focus on deep reservoirs and hot dry rock systems. Thereby we address specific thermodynamic properties such as CO2-brine phase behavior, gas sorption, the coupling of fluid transport and chemical reactions, i.e. reactive transport, and the coupling to mechanical rock properties. Lectures will be combined with discussions and exercises to deepen the knowledge.
Objective
Participants of this course will acquire solid foundations in storage and sequestration processes and energy recovery by CO2 injection and from geothermal systems. They will become familiar with the specific reservoir engineering issues of those operations. The course will enable to assess storage capacities, energy recoveries, as well as to assess the risks of such operations.
Grading
Continuous evaluation and active participation will account for 50% and a final exam (written or oral) will accounting for 50% to the final grading.
Reservoir Management
Reservoir Management
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE, Basics in Petroleum Geology, Petrophysics, Reservoir Engineering 1, Reservoir Simulation Methods 1, Production Engineering, Economics and Statistics
Synopsis
Aims: To develop the understanding for an interdisciplinary synergetic approach to efficient reservoir management with the goal to optimize economic recovery of petroleum assets Objectives: The application of reservoir management principles as a strategy throughout the life cycle of a petroleum asset at each stage, from discovery, through appraisal to development and production until abandonment the critical aspects of reservoir management are recovered. The successful economic development of a petroleum asset requires an integrated approach in every aspect. This approach is applied to data acquisition, reservoir description and modelling, assessing uncertainty, techniques of reservoir monitoring and surveillance, generating predictions of future reservoir performance and economic evaluation.
Objective
Successful participants will understand and be able to apply the principles of reservoir management. This includes goal setting, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating reservoir performance to maximize economic recovery and minimize capital investment, risk and operating expenses. They will be able to identify, acquire and manage geosciences data that are required for building integrated reservoir models used for field development planning. They will also understand how these models are used together with traditional techniques like classical material balance and decline curve analysis to achieve optimum field development and operating plans. They will know how to apply the current reserves/ resource definitions to portray the total value of an oil and gas company by identifying all upside and downside potential. This supports portfolio management and the decision-making process.
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Aims: To provide the geo-mechanical background and skills in the quantification of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks and deformation processes of relevance to petroleum engineering. Objectives: Departing from the already familiar concepts of strain and stress Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and elastic versus visco-plastic irreversible deformation, this lecture will explain how reservoir rocks deform (rheology), and the stress- and fluid pressure states they are in before and during production. This analysis also necessitates a review of natural / induced faulting and fracturing and the corresponding patterns and structures that often confine or occur within hydrocarbon reservoirs. The concepts: compaction, strain hardening and softening, strain localization, tensile and shear failure, constitutive models, the relationship between fluid pressure and effective stress, the yield-envelope, and typical stress states of the earth’s crust will be explained in sufficient detail to understand reservoir geo-mechanical studies and field tests. Special emphasis will be placed on stress measurement and wellbore stability (breakouts, hydraulic fracture etc.) as well as the deformation of reservoir rocks under low effective stress / elevated fluid pressure. FEM analysis will be used to investigate stresses and failure in geo-engineering applications. The PDEs governing elastic-plastic behavior and taking into account fluid pressure and flow will be introduced, deriving displacement based FEM formulations. Field studies on the Lost Hill anticline and offshore reservoirs in the western US will be used to illustrate these concepts in practice.
Objective
Course participants will learn standard techniques to evaluate the state of stress, fluid pressure regime, constitutive behavior and failure envelope for most common sedimentary rocks. This will enable them to assess borehole stability, the poroelastic response of a reservoir, and the risks of reservoir compaction and disintegration / sand production.
Grading
One piece of course work (30%), an interim exam (30%) and a final exam on all of the covered material (40%).
2. Semester (Summer)
Advanced Well Construction
Advanced Well Construction
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course consists of 3 parts: Geo-Mechanics, Advanced Drilling and Well Planning. The Geo-Mechanics part covers the following topics and necessary fundamentals of geo-mechanics for wellbore applications: the origin of stresses in the subsurface and how in situ stresses can be understood from wellbore data; mechanical properties such as rock strength, and the origins of pore pressure and how it is measured and estimated. The course then proceeds to show how these data are applied through the Mechanical Earth Model to critical problems in exploration and field development. This multi-disciplinary course provides a concise overview of basic rock mechanics and its application to wellbore stability and lost circulation. In the Advanced Drilling part specific problems associated with vertical and directional/horizontal drilling are discussed such as drill string fatigue design, advanced casing design (tri-axial, design for H2S applications), torque & drag (includes: drilling and pipe running operation), advanced hydraulics, surge & swab, hole cleaning & cutting transport and bottom hole assemblies design. Participants will receive instruction on planning and evaluating horizontal wells based on the objectives of the horizontal well. Additionally, they will become familiar with the tools and techniques used in directional drilling such as survey instruments, bottom hole assemblies, motors, steerable motors, and steerable rotary systems. Extended reach drilling, HPHT drilling and underbalanced drilling is also discussed in this part of the lecture. In the Well Planning part of the lecture students will learn to plan well using different modules of ‘Landmark’. Anti-collision planning, casing stress calculations, T&D soft-string modeling or applied hydraulics design are among the topics solved with ‘Landmark’ with the help of real well data.
Objective
Upon completion of the course, participants will get an insight understanding of technical well construction and planning for standard and special well design requirements (e.g. for extended reach drilling or underbalanced drilling). They will understand the importance of geo-mechanics and its meaning for well design and will be able to build geo-mechanical models using Excel sheet. Students will identify trajectory design issues and their influence on torque and drag and wellbore stability. They will design effective BHAs and match them to given objectives. Students will understand advanced casing design, fatigue failures of drill string components, understand surge / swab and optimize hole cleaning.
Grading
Continuous Assessment
Artificial Lift Systems for Reservoir Engineers
Artificial Lift Systems for Reservoir Engineers
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles
Synopsis
The lecture will give an overview of the most popular artificial lifting systems. Sucker rod pumps, gas lift installations, electrical submersible pumps, progressive cavity pumps, and hydraulic pumps are introduced and discussed in detail. The course examines the advantages, disadvantages, and the usage criteria of different AL-systems. The working principle and design are discussed and applied within exercises and hand-calculation. Industry-standard software and the Pump Testing Facility (PTF) are used to aid the training. An insight into new technologies and developments will be the final chapter of this course to inform the students about state of the art and the potentials for future investigation.
Objective
This course prepares the participants to understand the design and working principles of artificial lift systems, their advantages and limitations, and analyze various case studies.
Grading
Continuous evaluation during the course.
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Objective: To obtain basic knowledge of physical and chemical principles underpinning microscopic displacements and reservoir-scale sweep processes. This knowledge will be applied to learn how to enhance recovery from oil reservoirs that already underwent primary depletion and secondary recovery processes. Content: The course establishes the theoretical foundation in displacement physics, for the participant to understand and design IOR and EOR (improved and enhanced oil recovery) processes. We examine multiphase-flow phenomena ranging from the pore scale (micro-displacement efficiency) to the field scale (viscous fingering, emulsification, etc.). A variety of EOR techniques will be discussed, including designed-water flooding, surfactant methods, miscible-gas injection, thermal recovery methods, and techniques for mobility control. The impact of these methods on displacement and sweep efficiency, their sensitivity to reservoir properties and their limits of applicability and associated risks will be discussed.
Objective
Participants of this course will acquire a solid foundations in EOR methods and an understanding where and when to apply them given their cost and compatibility with reservoir characteristics (EOR screening).
Grading
Continuous evaluation and active participation will account for 50% and a final exam (written or oral) will accounting for 50% to the final grading.
Introduction to Field Development Project
Introduction to Field Development Project
Synopsis
As members of an artificial asset team, course participants will gain proficiency and experience in the reservoir engineering workflow with the goal of the preparation and presentation of a development plan for a real reservoir. Objectives: Multi-disciplinary teams consisting of a petroleum geologist, driller, reservoir and production engineers and an economist, will use provided field data to characterize a reservoir, build a simulation model, history match it, and carry out sensitivity analysis to identify a favourable production strategy expressed and formulated into a field development plan written up as a report submitted in the context of a final presentation to management.
Objective
The main objective is to inter-relate separate subjects taught in formal lectures: characterization, drilling, well and reservoir optimization, design of surface facilities, economic forecasting and application to regulatory authorities. The students learn to work in interdisciplinary teams and how to process information from the different fields efficiently.
Grading
Continuous Assessment
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE, Petrophysics of Reservoir Rocks, Geophysical Well Logs, Applied Geophysics, Sedimentology (including Lab, Petroleum Geology, Reservoir Engineering and Practical
Synopsis
Aims: Reservoir characterization and modeling is done to create and parameterize simulation models using sparse sub-surface information. The aim of this course is to explain geophysical reservoir characterization methods, reservoir modelling techniques and to demonstrate subsurface data integration across disciplines. Practical skills will be delivered through a series of exercises on real data. Objectives: The course shows how to utilize information from hydrocarbon fields at different scale for the construction of reservoir models. At large scale structural and stratigraphic seismic attributes can be calibrated to well data. AVO and inversion results will be applied for rock and fluid characterization. With geo-statistics reservoir properties will be analyzed. Deterministic (kriging, co-kriging) or stochastic algorithms (Gaussian simulation) will be covered in continuous property interpolation. For discrete properties object-based modeling, indicator simulation or multi-point statistics methods will be covered. Techniques for the averaging and upscaling of resulting geo-cellular reservoir models will also be addressed. They will be illustrated using state-of-the-art reservoir modelling software and data from actual reservoirs.
Objective
Participants will understand the logic, underpinning assumptions, and limitations of the most commonly used seismic attributes, statistical methods and geological modelling algorithms, and will be able to execute these methods using standard software tools in the frame of the static modelling workflow.
Grading
Five exercises (one for each main topic) need to be completed; team-work is appreciated. Short reports documenting parameters used, results and their interpretation should be submitted. Completed exercise summaries are the pre-requisite for a final mark. The mark will result from a final exam (written or oral).
Water Flooding
Water Flooding
Prerequisites
The student should be familiar with concepts of basic reservoir engineering. Knowledge of basic reservoir simulation is recommended.
Synopsis
Theoretical, experimental and mathematical subjects related to water flooding process will be provided in detail. This will include; fundamentals of water flooding, design & optimization, performance predictions surveillance, water flooding management, and extension of water flooding in terms of low salinity water, smart water, carbonated water, and augmented Nano flooding.
Objective
The objective of this course is to provide and introduce the students with the fundamental of conventional and non-conventional water flooding processes. The students should be able to identify and understood the key reservoirs and operational factors impacting a water injection project in terms of recovery efficiency. In addition, calculation of water flood performance through analytical (Buckley-Leverett using Matlab or Excel) and numerical simulator is part of the objective.
Grading
Assignments & Final Exam
2. Year
3. and 4. Semester
During the third and fourth semester both Montanuniversität and Mines students will attend lectures at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. During the last semester the Master’s Thesis is written.
Please visit the overview for further information.
Courses alphabetically
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Prerequisites
no
Synopsis
Selected chapters and actual topics from the petroleum business. Every student gets the chance to dive into selected topics of Petroleum Economics, in a way that under guidance of an advisor he is able to write a scientific article in SPE-paper style.
Objective
The aim of the course is to enable the student to write autonomously a scientific literature paper.
Grading
paper, written
Advanced Well Construction
Advanced Well Construction
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course consists of 3 parts: Geo-Mechanics, Advanced Drilling and Well Planning. The Geo-Mechanics part covers the following topics and necessary fundamentals of geo-mechanics for wellbore applications: the origin of stresses in the subsurface and how in situ stresses can be understood from wellbore data; mechanical properties such as rock strength, and the origins of pore pressure and how it is measured and estimated. The course then proceeds to show how these data are applied through the Mechanical Earth Model to critical problems in exploration and field development. This multi-disciplinary course provides a concise overview of basic rock mechanics and its application to wellbore stability and lost circulation. In the Advanced Drilling part specific problems associated with vertical and directional/horizontal drilling are discussed such as drill string fatigue design, advanced casing design (tri-axial, design for H2S applications), torque & drag (includes: drilling and pipe running operation), advanced hydraulics, surge & swab, hole cleaning & cutting transport and bottom hole assemblies design. Participants will receive instruction on planning and evaluating horizontal wells based on the objectives of the horizontal well. Additionally, they will become familiar with the tools and techniques used in directional drilling such as survey instruments, bottom hole assemblies, motors, steerable motors, and steerable rotary systems. Extended reach drilling, HPHT drilling and underbalanced drilling is also discussed in this part of the lecture. In the Well Planning part of the lecture students will learn to plan well using different modules of ‘Landmark’. Anti-collision planning, casing stress calculations, T&D soft-string modeling or applied hydraulics design are among the topics solved with ‘Landmark’ with the help of real well data.
Objective
Upon completion of the course, participants will get an insight understanding of technical well construction and planning for standard and special well design requirements (e.g. for extended reach drilling or underbalanced drilling). They will understand the importance of geo-mechanics and its meaning for well design and will be able to build geo-mechanical models using Excel sheet. Students will identify trajectory design issues and their influence on torque and drag and wellbore stability. They will design effective BHAs and match them to given objectives. Students will understand advanced casing design, fatigue failures of drill string components, understand surge / swab and optimize hole cleaning.
Grading
Continuous Assessment
Artificial Lift Systems for Reservoir Engineers
Artificial Lift Systems for Reservoir Engineers
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles
Synopsis
The lecture will give an overview of the most popular artificial lifting systems. Sucker rod pumps, gas lift installations, electrical submersible pumps, progressive cavity pumps, and hydraulic pumps are introduced and discussed in detail. The course examines the advantages, disadvantages, and the usage criteria of different AL-systems. The working principle and design are discussed and applied within exercises and hand-calculation. Industry-standard software and the Pump Testing Facility (PTF) are used to aid the training. An insight into new technologies and developments will be the final chapter of this course to inform the students about state of the art and the potentials for future investigation.
Objective
This course prepares the participants to understand the design and working principles of artificial lift systems, their advantages and limitations, and analyze various case studies.
Grading
Continuous evaluation during the course.
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Mag.phil.
UrsulaHofmeister
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BSC courses in PE
Synopsis
The lectures will cover various types of situations where a crisis have occurred and describe the importance of setting up a crisis management system. The steps and procedures that have to be followed will be taught and different approaches to remediation will be discussed in the class. These are crucial details that nurtures the participants’ sense of responsibility while improving their competence in leadership. In addition, the students will also get trained in a TV studio in a simulation that strengthens their character and self-confidence, as well as their conversational and promoting skills. All this will allow them to take charge in case of a disaster or even act as company’s spokesperson. Successful participants will be able to identify the crisis potential. They will be capable of setting up a crisis organization within a short period of time. The ability of internal and external communication will be demonstrated and strengths and weaknesses will be identified.
Objective
This lecture intends to prepare the students for situations where unexpected events occur and need to be dealt with in a short amount of time. It trains the students, as future engineers and managers, to handle tough situations, make decisions and claim responsibilities.
Grading
In-class practice rounds are discussed and evaluated by the lecturers as well as the fellow students. Also a written exam will be given to evaluate the theoretical knowledge of the students.
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Mag. (FH)
BirgitStoiser
Synopsis
Introduction to Decision and Risk Analysis -Decision Elements, Decisions & Outcomes, Hard decisions Multi-objective decision-making methodology -Structuring/Framing the decision situation -Evaluating/Modelling the decision -Deciding, sensitivity analysis and assessing trade-offs Assessing and Modeling Risk & Uncertainty -Review & development of relevant probability, statistics and economics concepts -Monte Carlo simulation Influence Diagrams and Decision-tree analysis Creating Value in Uncertain Decision Situations -Value of Information -Value of Flexibility (Handling attitude to risk) Psychological and judgmental aspects of decision-making & uncertainty assessment
Objective
The aim of this course is to deepen the knowledge and to give further insights in Decision Making and Risk Analysis in the oil business.
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Enhanced Oil Recovery
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Objective: To obtain basic knowledge of physical and chemical principles underpinning microscopic displacements and reservoir-scale sweep processes. This knowledge will be applied to learn how to enhance recovery from oil reservoirs that already underwent primary depletion and secondary recovery processes. Content: The course establishes the theoretical foundation in displacement physics, for the participant to understand and design IOR and EOR (improved and enhanced oil recovery) processes. We examine multiphase-flow phenomena ranging from the pore scale (micro-displacement efficiency) to the field scale (viscous fingering, emulsification, etc.). A variety of EOR techniques will be discussed, including designed-water flooding, surfactant methods, miscible-gas injection, thermal recovery methods, and techniques for mobility control. The impact of these methods on displacement and sweep efficiency, their sensitivity to reservoir properties and their limits of applicability and associated risks will be discussed.
Objective
Participants of this course will acquire a solid foundations in EOR methods and an understanding where and when to apply them given their cost and compatibility with reservoir characteristics (EOR screening).
Grading
Continuous evaluation and active participation will account for 50% and a final exam (written or oral) will accounting for 50% to the final grading.
Geomodeling
Geomodeling
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
DorisGroß
Prerequisites
Sound understanding of sedimentology, basic petroleum geology and applied geophysics (bachelor level)
Synopsis
The participants learn well correlation and sedimentological interpretation of geophysical well logs as well as software-based interpretation of horizons and faults in reflection seismic data (horizon and fault picking). Based on the seismic horizons, fault patterns, log information and petrophysical data, the building of static reservoir models will be explained.
Objective
Ability to establish simple static reservoir models
Grading
2 Interim Test Final Test or Course Work
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Introduction to Field Development Project
Introduction to Field Development Project
Synopsis
As members of an artificial asset team, course participants will gain proficiency and experience in the reservoir engineering workflow with the goal of the preparation and presentation of a development plan for a real reservoir. Objectives: Multi-disciplinary teams consisting of a petroleum geologist, driller, reservoir and production engineers and an economist, will use provided field data to characterize a reservoir, build a simulation model, history match it, and carry out sensitivity analysis to identify a favourable production strategy expressed and formulated into a field development plan written up as a report submitted in the context of a final presentation to management.
Objective
The main objective is to inter-relate separate subjects taught in formal lectures: characterization, drilling, well and reservoir optimization, design of surface facilities, economic forecasting and application to regulatory authorities. The students learn to work in interdisciplinary teams and how to process information from the different fields efficiently.
Grading
Continuous Assessment
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
Project Management for Industrial Management
Project Management for Industrial Management
DanielHendling
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Framework & processes: Definition of a project & Project Management, processes, standards, link between project management and the functional organization Initiation & planning: Finding ideas, project charter, scope/time/cost planning, Work Breakdown Structure Executing & controlling: Scope/time/cost controlling, cycles, methods, managing baseline changes PM-software: MS-Project, Trello/collaboration tools, PM via Excel, WBSTool Communication & documentation: Communication models & methods, communication planning, stakeholder management, documentation Organization (HR): Organization charts, roles and responsibilities, decision making Risk management: Identification, assessment, managing risks, reassessment/cycles Program & portfolio management, maturity: Definition of a program, managing a program, definition of a portfolio, managing a portfolio, stage gate models, maturity Managing people: Leadership, interpersonal skills, management skills, communication Conflicts & crisis: Conflict management, crisis management
Objective
The participants know the basics of professional Project Management and they are able to effectively initiate, plan and manage/control projects. The knowledge will also help the participants prepare for an optional certification according to the international PMI-standard (e.g. CAPM / Certified Associate in Project Management).
Grading
written written and/or oral Multiple-choice test in each following class
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling
Reservoir Characterization and Modelling
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE, Petrophysics of Reservoir Rocks, Geophysical Well Logs, Applied Geophysics, Sedimentology (including Lab, Petroleum Geology, Reservoir Engineering and Practical
Synopsis
Aims: Reservoir characterization and modeling is done to create and parameterize simulation models using sparse sub-surface information. The aim of this course is to explain geophysical reservoir characterization methods, reservoir modelling techniques and to demonstrate subsurface data integration across disciplines. Practical skills will be delivered through a series of exercises on real data. Objectives: The course shows how to utilize information from hydrocarbon fields at different scale for the construction of reservoir models. At large scale structural and stratigraphic seismic attributes can be calibrated to well data. AVO and inversion results will be applied for rock and fluid characterization. With geo-statistics reservoir properties will be analyzed. Deterministic (kriging, co-kriging) or stochastic algorithms (Gaussian simulation) will be covered in continuous property interpolation. For discrete properties object-based modeling, indicator simulation or multi-point statistics methods will be covered. Techniques for the averaging and upscaling of resulting geo-cellular reservoir models will also be addressed. They will be illustrated using state-of-the-art reservoir modelling software and data from actual reservoirs.
Objective
Participants will understand the logic, underpinning assumptions, and limitations of the most commonly used seismic attributes, statistical methods and geological modelling algorithms, and will be able to execute these methods using standard software tools in the frame of the static modelling workflow.
Grading
Five exercises (one for each main topic) need to be completed; team-work is appreciated. Short reports documenting parameters used, results and their interpretation should be submitted. Completed exercise summaries are the pre-requisite for a final mark. The mark will result from a final exam (written or oral).
Reservoir Engineering 2: Storage, Sequestration and Geothermal...
Reservoir Engineering 2: Storage, Sequestration and Geothermal Energy
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Objective: The course aims to broaden the participant’s knowledge and perspective in reservoir engineering beyond the area of oil and gas production. Participants will get familiar with gas storage, acid gas and CO2 sequestration, energy recovery through CO2 injection and from geothermal systems. Content: We will apply reservoir engineering methods to non-oil and gas subsurface processes and operations, and address topics specific for the respective operations. The course covers reservoir engineering and operational aspects of: CO2 injection for sequestration, enhanced oil recovery and enhanced coal bed methane, natural gas and hydrogen Storage and geothermal energy production with focus on deep reservoirs and hot dry rock systems. Thereby we address specific thermodynamic properties such as CO2-brine phase behavior, gas sorption, the coupling of fluid transport and chemical reactions, i.e. reactive transport, and the coupling to mechanical rock properties. Lectures will be combined with discussions and exercises to deepen the knowledge.
Objective
Participants of this course will acquire solid foundations in storage and sequestration processes and energy recovery by CO2 injection and from geothermal systems. They will become familiar with the specific reservoir engineering issues of those operations. The course will enable to assess storage capacities, energy recoveries, as well as to assess the risks of such operations.
Grading
Continuous evaluation and active participation will account for 50% and a final exam (written or oral) will accounting for 50% to the final grading.
Reservoir Management
Reservoir Management
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE, Basics in Petroleum Geology, Petrophysics, Reservoir Engineering 1, Reservoir Simulation Methods 1, Production Engineering, Economics and Statistics
Synopsis
Aims: To develop the understanding for an interdisciplinary synergetic approach to efficient reservoir management with the goal to optimize economic recovery of petroleum assets Objectives: The application of reservoir management principles as a strategy throughout the life cycle of a petroleum asset at each stage, from discovery, through appraisal to development and production until abandonment the critical aspects of reservoir management are recovered. The successful economic development of a petroleum asset requires an integrated approach in every aspect. This approach is applied to data acquisition, reservoir description and modelling, assessing uncertainty, techniques of reservoir monitoring and surveillance, generating predictions of future reservoir performance and economic evaluation.
Objective
Successful participants will understand and be able to apply the principles of reservoir management. This includes goal setting, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating reservoir performance to maximize economic recovery and minimize capital investment, risk and operating expenses. They will be able to identify, acquire and manage geosciences data that are required for building integrated reservoir models used for field development planning. They will also understand how these models are used together with traditional techniques like classical material balance and decline curve analysis to achieve optimum field development and operating plans. They will know how to apply the current reserves/ resource definitions to portray the total value of an oil and gas company by identifying all upside and downside potential. This supports portfolio management and the decision-making process.
Water Flooding
Water Flooding
Prerequisites
The student should be familiar with concepts of basic reservoir engineering. Knowledge of basic reservoir simulation is recommended.
Synopsis
Theoretical, experimental and mathematical subjects related to water flooding process will be provided in detail. This will include; fundamentals of water flooding, design & optimization, performance predictions surveillance, water flooding management, and extension of water flooding in terms of low salinity water, smart water, carbonated water, and augmented Nano flooding.
Objective
The objective of this course is to provide and introduce the students with the fundamental of conventional and non-conventional water flooding processes. The students should be able to identify and understood the key reservoirs and operational factors impacting a water injection project in terms of recovery efficiency. In addition, calculation of water flood performance through analytical (Buckley-Leverett using Matlab or Excel) and numerical simulator is part of the objective.
Grading
Assignments & Final Exam
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Aims: To provide the geo-mechanical background and skills in the quantification of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks and deformation processes of relevance to petroleum engineering. Objectives: Departing from the already familiar concepts of strain and stress Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and elastic versus visco-plastic irreversible deformation, this lecture will explain how reservoir rocks deform (rheology), and the stress- and fluid pressure states they are in before and during production. This analysis also necessitates a review of natural / induced faulting and fracturing and the corresponding patterns and structures that often confine or occur within hydrocarbon reservoirs. The concepts: compaction, strain hardening and softening, strain localization, tensile and shear failure, constitutive models, the relationship between fluid pressure and effective stress, the yield-envelope, and typical stress states of the earth’s crust will be explained in sufficient detail to understand reservoir geo-mechanical studies and field tests. Special emphasis will be placed on stress measurement and wellbore stability (breakouts, hydraulic fracture etc.) as well as the deformation of reservoir rocks under low effective stress / elevated fluid pressure. FEM analysis will be used to investigate stresses and failure in geo-engineering applications. The PDEs governing elastic-plastic behavior and taking into account fluid pressure and flow will be introduced, deriving displacement based FEM formulations. Field studies on the Lost Hill anticline and offshore reservoirs in the western US will be used to illustrate these concepts in practice.
Objective
Course participants will learn standard techniques to evaluate the state of stress, fluid pressure regime, constitutive behavior and failure envelope for most common sedimentary rocks. This will enable them to assess borehole stability, the poroelastic response of a reservoir, and the risks of reservoir compaction and disintegration / sand production.
Grading
One piece of course work (30%), an interim exam (30%) and a final exam on all of the covered material (40%).
1. Year
1. Semester (Winter)
Advanced Borehole Geophysics
Advanced Borehole Geophysics
PhD
AndrewGreenwood
Prerequisites
Lecture 260.060 Geophysical Well Logging
Synopsis
The course covers the classical geophysical well-logging methods to determine lithology, porosity and pore fluids, as well as advanced borehole geophysical techniques. Specific topics covered are: • The borehole environment and Logging while drilling • Standard well-logging methods to determine lithology, porosity and pore fluids • The photo electric effect and spectral gamma methods • Nuclear magnetic resonance • Imaging and geomechanics • Formation testing • Borehole acoustic methods • Borehole seismic methods and synthetic well-ties In class exercises evaluate well-log data using commercial well-log analysis software and focus on the analysis of borehole data.
Objective
To understand the principles of borehole geophysics and integrate multiple geophysical data sets in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Grading
continuous assessment
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas; The course builds upon knowledge of Laplace eq., and heat modeling (550.982 Thermodynamik und Wärmeübertragung), Navier-Stokes eqs., and flow modeling (550.007 Geo Engineering Fluid Dynamics), and the infinitesimal deformation theory (400.008 Mechanik IB). Understanding of the numerical methods (170.004 Numerische Methoden I) and being able to read programs (150.100 Computeranwendung and Programmierung) is of advantage.
Synopsis
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics independently, be it fluid dynamics, or solid mechanics
Objective
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to independently solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics, be it fluid dynamics and/or solid mechanics, using an OpenFOAM solver.
Grading
continuous assessment Meshing task (10 points), Project (50 points), Test (40 points) All-in-one exam possible during semester break (min. 45 points, test and project done) Grading: ≥90 points: excellent (1) 80 to <90 points: good (2) 65 to <80 points: satisfactory (3) 50 to <65 points: sufficient (4) <50 points: failed (5)
Data Science for Engineers II
Data Science for Engineers II
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Prerequisites
Students taking part in this course will need a grounding in matrix algebra and analysis. Additionally, programming experience is required, prefferbly in Matlab.
Synopsis
This course gives an in-depth introduction to model based data science and the programming techniques required to implement them. The course focuses on approximating models, together with prediction and confidence intervals. This course addresses the following issues: • Mathematical methods for approximation, together with prediction and confidence intervals. Convolution, correlation and system response. • Statistics in data analysis: expected values, variance, hypothesis testing. • Polynomials: global, local, piece-wise, constrained (interpolation, approximation). • Basis functions, admissible functions for data analysis and inverse problems. Generalized Fourier series. • Matrix algebra for the derivation of properties and as a precursor to implementation in code. • Code patterns for the implementation of libraries to support data analysis. MATLAB is used both for the implementation of methods and student exercises.
Objective
This course is aimed at students at masters level, those who attend this course shall be in the position to: • examine a data analysis problem and implement solutions including estimates for uncertainty. • select the appropriate mathematical approach to extract the desired information, • design algorithms, prove their properties and implement them in code (Matlab mcode will be used for demonstration purposes); • create libraries of functions which support the development of data analysis systems. • document the results in a clear, scientific manner.
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Dipl.-Ing. Mag.
HelmutLanganger
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Major Challenges for E&PCompanies in the coming Years Major non-technical Skillsrequired for Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Major Skills required for Oil & Gas Executives Essential Steps in Acquiring Oil and Gas Assets or Companies How to read and interpret Oil Company Reports How to develop a Strategy for an Oil Company Corporate Governance in the Oil Industry Code of Conduct in the Oil Industry Duties of Boards of Oil Companies How to found an Oil Company
Objective
The insemination of essential elements in the oand gas business from an general and leadership perspective
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course introduces an analytical approach to the solution of fluid flow problems encountered in petroleum engineering. The course covers the fundamentals of fluid mechanics for petroleum engineers with respect to flow in pipes and wellbores and their application to the practical problems. Main topics: liquid and gas properties, fundamental governing equations, inviscid and viscous flows, Poiseuille flow, Bernoulli equation, dimensionless numbers, boundary layer theory, friction, multi-phase flows, cuttings transport, and fluid displacement
Objective
Successful participant will gain an understanding of the principles of fluid flow modeling in horizontal and vertical channels and learn how to create mathematical models of single and multi-phase flows in complex pipes and wellbores.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Material Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry
Material Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course covers the main steels grades, aluminum and titanium alloys, polymers (basic concepts, feature of high-molecular structure, mechanical properties, the effect of temperature and loading rate on the strength, polymeric reinforced materials) and ceramics (classification, structure and properties) with an emphasis on the application in oil and gas industry. Further important points are comparisons between Russian and international materials standards, effects of operational factors (static and dynamic loads, wear, corrosion, etc.) leading to the destruction of materials, damages of materials due to wear and corrosion, types of corrosion, ways to combat wear and corrosion damages, the choice of corrosion-resistant materials.
Objective
The objectives of mastering the discipline is the acquisition by master students of knowledge and skills and the mastering of basic information about the properties of materials used in the oil and gas business. Studying the discipline will allow you to master the necessary knowledge and skills for the competent use of modern materials and their use in basic equipment for drilling wells on land and at sea. During the training the undergraduates will have the skills to work with scientific and technical literature, periodicals and the Internet, including English-language sources, will gain experience in interdisciplinary analysis of problems arising during the construction of wells and a systematic approach to their solution.
Grading
Written exams and laboratory report
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Synopsis
The aim of this course is to establish solid mathematical basis for the evaluation of measurement and experimental data. The course addressed the following issues: the nature of measurement, forward and inverse problems, causality vs. correlation, calibration, multivariate systems, system identification, polynomial representations (local and global), invariance, discrete orthogonal basis functions, multivariate systems, symbolic approximation.
Objective
Practice of the content.
Well Integrity
Well Integrity
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
Well Integrity course covers design and implementation of Barrier Elements important to provide isolation during the lifecycle of the well. Procedures to analyze the success of a well operation and its dependence on the Barrier Element integrity is discussed. Risk and economic analysis associated with selection of different Barrier Elements on the outcome of well operations and well events are included.
Objective
Upon completion of the course, Students should be able to analyze the risk of failure of different Barrier Elements and the economic impact on well operation. The course should help engineers understand why Barrier Elements are important for safe and economic production of subsurface energy. Students should also be able to design the Barrier Elements that are fit for the purpose.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Placement
Well Placement
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a basic understanding of geology, well logging, drilling engineering and production engineering. List of compulsary prior lectures
Synopsis
In this course students will be tought the basic concepts of well placement and the dependency of these principles on geoscience, drilling and production. Well placement and its applications are defined and the entire process from the planning to the execution stage is covered: Students will learn how to create the necessary geoscience models, well plans and LWD models. For the drilling stage, students will learn how to interprete measurements and the workflows to place the well in the target zone, meet the well objective and also consider the production restrictions for the later stage of the well life.
Objective
Students will learn how to create the necessary geoscience models, well plans, LWD models and will undergo telemetry and steering decision calculations.
Grading
Two written exams and project presentation
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Aims: To provide the geo-mechanical background and skills in the quantification of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks and deformation processes of relevance to petroleum engineering. Objectives: Departing from the already familiar concepts of strain and stress Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and elastic versus visco-plastic irreversible deformation, this lecture will explain how reservoir rocks deform (rheology), and the stress- and fluid pressure states they are in before and during production. This analysis also necessitates a review of natural / induced faulting and fracturing and the corresponding patterns and structures that often confine or occur within hydrocarbon reservoirs. The concepts: compaction, strain hardening and softening, strain localization, tensile and shear failure, constitutive models, the relationship between fluid pressure and effective stress, the yield-envelope, and typical stress states of the earth’s crust will be explained in sufficient detail to understand reservoir geo-mechanical studies and field tests. Special emphasis will be placed on stress measurement and wellbore stability (breakouts, hydraulic fracture etc.) as well as the deformation of reservoir rocks under low effective stress / elevated fluid pressure. FEM analysis will be used to investigate stresses and failure in geo-engineering applications. The PDEs governing elastic-plastic behavior and taking into account fluid pressure and flow will be introduced, deriving displacement based FEM formulations. Field studies on the Lost Hill anticline and offshore reservoirs in the western US will be used to illustrate these concepts in practice.
Objective
Course participants will learn standard techniques to evaluate the state of stress, fluid pressure regime, constitutive behavior and failure envelope for most common sedimentary rocks. This will enable them to assess borehole stability, the poroelastic response of a reservoir, and the risks of reservoir compaction and disintegration / sand production.
Grading
One piece of course work (30%), an interim exam (30%) and a final exam on all of the covered material (40%).
2. Semester (Summer)
During the second semester both Montanuniversität and Gubkin University students will attend lectures at Gubkin Russian State University Oil & Gas in Moscow, Russia.
Please visit the overview for further information.
2. Year
3. Semester (Winter)
Advanced Directional Drilling and Geo-steering
Advanced Directional Drilling and Geo-steering
Inz.-Mech. Ktn
MikhailGelfgat
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
This advanced course aims to develop the understanding of the geosteering technique and related issues. It covers the principals of geosteering and addresses the critical need for a proper understanding of all aspects of directional drilling. It will start by giving an introduction to conventional and state of the art directional drilling methods and an overview of MWD /LWD tool development and technology. The second part of the course will cover the definition, the applications and advancement and economic benefit of geosteering, then it will concentrate on the process and the main stages of geosteering including: • Building the formation model • Computing tool responses • Real time comparing and model updating • Optimizes and adjusts the well trajectory In the final part of the course serval case studies will be discussed in order to obtain the uncertainty, limitation and other shortcoming of geosteering technique.
Objective
By the end of this course, the students will: • Be able to understand the nature of directional well drilling. • Have a basic knowledge of the horizontal wells construction and horizontal wells sidetracking. • Understand the principles of various rotary steerable systems and their selection. • Understand the working principles of MWD and LWD. • Gain working knowledge of the geo-steering process and use of geosteering. • Know how to identify changes in well path from predetermined plan. • Knowing how to solve critical issues when using geosteering technique. • Understand how to reduce risks and to improve the geosteering precision • Make better bit design for geosteering.
Grading
Written exams and quizzes
Advanced Well Monitoring and Analysis
Advanced Well Monitoring and Analysis
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
MišoSoleša
Prerequisites
Comprehensive knowledge about well drilling, logging, testing completions, servicing, reservoir management and production engineering. Completion, well servicing, production, reservoir and field personnel involved in gathering and interpreting data.
Synopsis
Collecting the data, information and events over the whole well, reservoir and field life cycle, their validation and analysis and transformation open various possibilities to learn and make collected data as valuable tools and new knowledge for fast and effective learning. It is a well-known that data, used for analysis of oil and gas well and reservoir performance (geological, drilling, well servicing, production, processing, economic, etc.) are not the data registered in short period of time, but they are every day, weekly or monthly data. When the data and information are registered, the response has to be prompt, because even the smallest delay in analyst’s reaction inevitably leads to loss of control over the wells’ and reservoirs’ performance. New registered data is always a new time signal that has to be directed in timely manner to corresponding location for the purpose of analysis. Well operation and production history data are recorded and stored on daily basis, and include “hidden” information on potential problem causes that have led to oil production decrease. Selection of well candidates for performing certain operation (workover and/or stimulation) requires knowing general well operating characteristics and a number of specific requirements in well performance, as well as different parameters which allow identification and development of different key performance indicators to quantify operation efficiency of well, reservoir and field and to estimate saving potential if proper corrective actions would be applied. The student will be learned how to prioritize the best candidates for solving the operational problems and increase petroleum production. The frequency of a problem class occurrence, as well as the fact that oil and gas production is basically a time sequence in which certain signals (e.g. oil/water/gas production) or phenomena (paraffin scaling in tubing, inorganic scaling at injection, pump damage, etc.) oscillate in time with typical frequency and phases. Establishing an internal functional and logic dependence between data, information and events is used for generating a well operation learning curve. The various data mining tools will be used to recognize the symptoms and to diagnose the problems in well operations and to allow students better understanding the value of data and information collected during monitoring and surveillance of well operations, both, in real and episodic time. Based on what is known about the field/reservoir, it would be discussed additional tools needed to check and exam well files and data with an aim to evaluate the most likely opportunities. Prior making the final decision whether the well is or not candidate for workover/stimulation, student will be acquired with knowledge how to effectively apply economic analysis to justify the proposed technical solutions.
Objective
The students will lean how to organize big data volume (data, information, events and knowledge) to perform well analysis and to apply problem analysis methodology. Systematic approach to manage big data will be applied with the focus on the value of the data, symptoms recognition methodology and problem diagnosis. The course will allow a deeper understanding concerning the value of various type of data collected during long well and reservoir life cycle. Furthermore, the student should learn how to use the tools to manipulate such data and to convert them to useful information and knowledge with aim to achieve efficient data monetization and produce smarter from maturated brown fields and new discovered green fields.
Grading
Exam is written and if it would be required final check can be done orally. The exam is combined from theoretical and practical questions following the course content The grading also considers the performance of the students in the course, discussions and activities during lectures.
Drilling Process Evaluation and Planning
Drilling Process Evaluation and Planning
Prerequisites
The successful completion of the lecture and practical Drilling Engineering and Well Design is highly recommended. List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
Subdivision of the drilling process into discrete operations; analysis and optimization of costs for each operation; analysis of bit and drilling performance; development of time versus depth and time versus cost charts; analysis of learning.
Objective
Upon completion of this course the students will be able to: • Differentiate between lost time, productive time, flat time and invisible lost time. • Gain basic knowledge about the common methods used for drilling time projection. • Describe the different type of drilling contracts and tendering process. • Developing time versus depth curve by using multiple methods. • Estimate the drilling cost and prepare AFE. • Classify drilling activities and select the best KPIs to measure the performance for each activity. • Apply project management concept on well planning. • Read and use the daily generated drilling reports
Grading
Project and final exam.
Measurement Control, Monitoring and Analysis
Measurement Control, Monitoring and Analysis
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course will present all relevant sensors on the rig and explain the measurement principles, as well as the required data quality assurance that needs to be applied interpreting these sensor readings. The participant will work through various examples of real-data from rigs to perform monitoring and analysis tasks, which typically are performed in real-time operating centers (RTOCs), or for post analysis. This will include requirements and examples for hydraulics monitoring, torque and drag monitoring, pore-pressure prediction and wellbore stability monitoring, as well as drilling performance evaluation. We will introduce data management and storage requirements and discuss data exchange standards, such as WITS or WITSML.
Objective
The participant will be introduced to all aspects of measuring at the rig, as well as reporting requirements and are able to apply that knowledge in the field. They also learn the necessary skills to perform analysis of all available data in real-time and to prepare the data for post analysis.
Grading
Midterm written exam and Oral exam at the end of the course.
The O&G Industry Machine and Equipment Design & Simulation
The O&G Industry Machine and Equipment Design & Simulation
Prerequisites
Student shall have skills in equipment design in 3D solid-state computer modeling software (CAD - SolidWorks), in mathematical model development and solution of problems using FEM methods List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The main objective of this course is to provide students with necessary knowledge and skills in design and modeling of equipment and machines used in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, the course covers: - Equipment design and modeling methodology, structure and stages; - Regulations, regulatory and technical documentation used for design and modeling; - Functional analysis methods for technical facilities and individual assemblies; - Methods of design and analysis of assembly, kinematic and structural layouts of mechanisms, assemblies and facilities; - Methods of computer-aided strength and durability analysis of machines and facilities; - Methods of computer-aided solution of direct and inverse hydrodynamic problems; - Methods of construction of test bench units with development of R&D programs performed using such test bench units.
Objective
Students will be able how to set proper problems by defining their initial and boundary conditions and be able to systematically approach to solve design related problems.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Construction Fluids Lab
Well Construction Fluids Lab
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course starts with a theoretical part, including safety instructions, an introduction to principal used equipment and procedures and a detailed discussion of backgrounds of the individual lab modules. In the practical part of this course students will execute a series of experiments. Principal properties like fluid viscosity, gel strength, weight and filtration is measured for two different fluid systems. The impact on these properties when drilling salt or shale is demonstrated. Special attention is laid on drilling problems like differential pipe sticking, mud cake resistivity and formation damage by drilling fluids.
Objective
The students understand and are able to conduct the most important drilling fluids rig-laboratory measurements. They are familiarized with mechanical and chemical and the hazards that come with those.
Grading
Continuous Assessment, Report and final exam.
Well Construction Mechanical Lab
Well Construction Mechanical Lab
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
GerhardPittino
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course is divided into three Modules. The first Module covers all the aspects related to ROP optimization, in these two days block, the students will also have the opportunity to gain a drilling practice using the Mini-Drill-Rig. The second Module is mainly specified for determining the rock strength Since the rock strength is strongly related to ROP performance, the second Module covers the entire test that is used to determine the rock strength. The students will have chance to use UCS test machine. In the last Module, the students will be allowed to use flow loop tool in order to study all the aspects related to hole cleaning and optimization.
Objective
The students are taught to apply their scientific and engineering knowledge to the solution of technical problems, within the requirements and constraints set by technological, material and economic considerations. Furthermore the successful participant will gain valuable practical experience from the operation of the Miniature Rig.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Reconstruction, Workover & Abandonment
Well Reconstruction, Workover & Abandonment
Inz.-Mech. Ktn
MikhailGelfgat
Prerequisites
Well Control; Advanced Drilling Technology; Well Integrity; Well Completion
Synopsis
will follow
Objective
will follow
Grading
This course presume continuous assessment with two intermediate tests, home work in the form of case study, or scientific paper and the final presentation and discussion of selected topic at the group seminar.
4. Semester (Summer)
During the last semester the Master’s Thesis is written.
Courses alphabetically
Advanced Borehole Geophysics
Advanced Borehole Geophysics
PhD
AndrewGreenwood
Prerequisites
Lecture 260.060 Geophysical Well Logging
Synopsis
The course covers the classical geophysical well-logging methods to determine lithology, porosity and pore fluids, as well as advanced borehole geophysical techniques. Specific topics covered are: • The borehole environment and Logging while drilling • Standard well-logging methods to determine lithology, porosity and pore fluids • The photo electric effect and spectral gamma methods • Nuclear magnetic resonance • Imaging and geomechanics • Formation testing • Borehole acoustic methods • Borehole seismic methods and synthetic well-ties In class exercises evaluate well-log data using commercial well-log analysis software and focus on the analysis of borehole data.
Objective
To understand the principles of borehole geophysics and integrate multiple geophysical data sets in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Grading
continuous assessment
Advanced Directional Drilling and Geo-steering
Advanced Directional Drilling and Geo-steering
Inz.-Mech. Ktn
MikhailGelfgat
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
This advanced course aims to develop the understanding of the geosteering technique and related issues. It covers the principals of geosteering and addresses the critical need for a proper understanding of all aspects of directional drilling. It will start by giving an introduction to conventional and state of the art directional drilling methods and an overview of MWD /LWD tool development and technology. The second part of the course will cover the definition, the applications and advancement and economic benefit of geosteering, then it will concentrate on the process and the main stages of geosteering including: • Building the formation model • Computing tool responses • Real time comparing and model updating • Optimizes and adjusts the well trajectory In the final part of the course serval case studies will be discussed in order to obtain the uncertainty, limitation and other shortcoming of geosteering technique.
Objective
By the end of this course, the students will: • Be able to understand the nature of directional well drilling. • Have a basic knowledge of the horizontal wells construction and horizontal wells sidetracking. • Understand the principles of various rotary steerable systems and their selection. • Understand the working principles of MWD and LWD. • Gain working knowledge of the geo-steering process and use of geosteering. • Know how to identify changes in well path from predetermined plan. • Knowing how to solve critical issues when using geosteering technique. • Understand how to reduce risks and to improve the geosteering precision • Make better bit design for geosteering.
Grading
Written exams and quizzes
Advanced Well Monitoring and Analysis
Advanced Well Monitoring and Analysis
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
MišoSoleša
Prerequisites
Comprehensive knowledge about well drilling, logging, testing completions, servicing, reservoir management and production engineering. Completion, well servicing, production, reservoir and field personnel involved in gathering and interpreting data.
Synopsis
Collecting the data, information and events over the whole well, reservoir and field life cycle, their validation and analysis and transformation open various possibilities to learn and make collected data as valuable tools and new knowledge for fast and effective learning. It is a well-known that data, used for analysis of oil and gas well and reservoir performance (geological, drilling, well servicing, production, processing, economic, etc.) are not the data registered in short period of time, but they are every day, weekly or monthly data. When the data and information are registered, the response has to be prompt, because even the smallest delay in analyst’s reaction inevitably leads to loss of control over the wells’ and reservoirs’ performance. New registered data is always a new time signal that has to be directed in timely manner to corresponding location for the purpose of analysis. Well operation and production history data are recorded and stored on daily basis, and include “hidden” information on potential problem causes that have led to oil production decrease. Selection of well candidates for performing certain operation (workover and/or stimulation) requires knowing general well operating characteristics and a number of specific requirements in well performance, as well as different parameters which allow identification and development of different key performance indicators to quantify operation efficiency of well, reservoir and field and to estimate saving potential if proper corrective actions would be applied. The student will be learned how to prioritize the best candidates for solving the operational problems and increase petroleum production. The frequency of a problem class occurrence, as well as the fact that oil and gas production is basically a time sequence in which certain signals (e.g. oil/water/gas production) or phenomena (paraffin scaling in tubing, inorganic scaling at injection, pump damage, etc.) oscillate in time with typical frequency and phases. Establishing an internal functional and logic dependence between data, information and events is used for generating a well operation learning curve. The various data mining tools will be used to recognize the symptoms and to diagnose the problems in well operations and to allow students better understanding the value of data and information collected during monitoring and surveillance of well operations, both, in real and episodic time. Based on what is known about the field/reservoir, it would be discussed additional tools needed to check and exam well files and data with an aim to evaluate the most likely opportunities. Prior making the final decision whether the well is or not candidate for workover/stimulation, student will be acquired with knowledge how to effectively apply economic analysis to justify the proposed technical solutions.
Objective
The students will lean how to organize big data volume (data, information, events and knowledge) to perform well analysis and to apply problem analysis methodology. Systematic approach to manage big data will be applied with the focus on the value of the data, symptoms recognition methodology and problem diagnosis. The course will allow a deeper understanding concerning the value of various type of data collected during long well and reservoir life cycle. Furthermore, the student should learn how to use the tools to manipulate such data and to convert them to useful information and knowledge with aim to achieve efficient data monetization and produce smarter from maturated brown fields and new discovered green fields.
Grading
Exam is written and if it would be required final check can be done orally. The exam is combined from theoretical and practical questions following the course content The grading also considers the performance of the students in the course, discussions and activities during lectures.
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas; The course builds upon knowledge of Laplace eq., and heat modeling (550.982 Thermodynamik und Wärmeübertragung), Navier-Stokes eqs., and flow modeling (550.007 Geo Engineering Fluid Dynamics), and the infinitesimal deformation theory (400.008 Mechanik IB). Understanding of the numerical methods (170.004 Numerische Methoden I) and being able to read programs (150.100 Computeranwendung and Programmierung) is of advantage.
Synopsis
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics independently, be it fluid dynamics, or solid mechanics
Objective
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to independently solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics, be it fluid dynamics and/or solid mechanics, using an OpenFOAM solver.
Grading
continuous assessment Meshing task (10 points), Project (50 points), Test (40 points) All-in-one exam possible during semester break (min. 45 points, test and project done) Grading: ≥90 points: excellent (1) 80 to <90 points: good (2) 65 to <80 points: satisfactory (3) 50 to <65 points: sufficient (4) <50 points: failed (5)
Data Science for Engineers II
Data Science for Engineers II
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Prerequisites
Students taking part in this course will need a grounding in matrix algebra and analysis. Additionally, programming experience is required, prefferbly in Matlab.
Synopsis
This course gives an in-depth introduction to model based data science and the programming techniques required to implement them. The course focuses on approximating models, together with prediction and confidence intervals. This course addresses the following issues: • Mathematical methods for approximation, together with prediction and confidence intervals. Convolution, correlation and system response. • Statistics in data analysis: expected values, variance, hypothesis testing. • Polynomials: global, local, piece-wise, constrained (interpolation, approximation). • Basis functions, admissible functions for data analysis and inverse problems. Generalized Fourier series. • Matrix algebra for the derivation of properties and as a precursor to implementation in code. • Code patterns for the implementation of libraries to support data analysis. MATLAB is used both for the implementation of methods and student exercises.
Objective
This course is aimed at students at masters level, those who attend this course shall be in the position to: • examine a data analysis problem and implement solutions including estimates for uncertainty. • select the appropriate mathematical approach to extract the desired information, • design algorithms, prove their properties and implement them in code (Matlab mcode will be used for demonstration purposes); • create libraries of functions which support the development of data analysis systems. • document the results in a clear, scientific manner.
Drilling Process Evaluation and Planning
Drilling Process Evaluation and Planning
Prerequisites
The successful completion of the lecture and practical Drilling Engineering and Well Design is highly recommended. List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
Subdivision of the drilling process into discrete operations; analysis and optimization of costs for each operation; analysis of bit and drilling performance; development of time versus depth and time versus cost charts; analysis of learning.
Objective
Upon completion of this course the students will be able to: • Differentiate between lost time, productive time, flat time and invisible lost time. • Gain basic knowledge about the common methods used for drilling time projection. • Describe the different type of drilling contracts and tendering process. • Developing time versus depth curve by using multiple methods. • Estimate the drilling cost and prepare AFE. • Classify drilling activities and select the best KPIs to measure the performance for each activity. • Apply project management concept on well planning. • Read and use the daily generated drilling reports
Grading
Project and final exam.
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Dipl.-Ing. Mag.
HelmutLanganger
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Major Challenges for E&PCompanies in the coming Years Major non-technical Skillsrequired for Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Major Skills required for Oil & Gas Executives Essential Steps in Acquiring Oil and Gas Assets or Companies How to read and interpret Oil Company Reports How to develop a Strategy for an Oil Company Corporate Governance in the Oil Industry Code of Conduct in the Oil Industry Duties of Boards of Oil Companies How to found an Oil Company
Objective
The insemination of essential elements in the oand gas business from an general and leadership perspective
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course introduces an analytical approach to the solution of fluid flow problems encountered in petroleum engineering. The course covers the fundamentals of fluid mechanics for petroleum engineers with respect to flow in pipes and wellbores and their application to the practical problems. Main topics: liquid and gas properties, fundamental governing equations, inviscid and viscous flows, Poiseuille flow, Bernoulli equation, dimensionless numbers, boundary layer theory, friction, multi-phase flows, cuttings transport, and fluid displacement
Objective
Successful participant will gain an understanding of the principles of fluid flow modeling in horizontal and vertical channels and learn how to create mathematical models of single and multi-phase flows in complex pipes and wellbores.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Material Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry
Material Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course covers the main steels grades, aluminum and titanium alloys, polymers (basic concepts, feature of high-molecular structure, mechanical properties, the effect of temperature and loading rate on the strength, polymeric reinforced materials) and ceramics (classification, structure and properties) with an emphasis on the application in oil and gas industry. Further important points are comparisons between Russian and international materials standards, effects of operational factors (static and dynamic loads, wear, corrosion, etc.) leading to the destruction of materials, damages of materials due to wear and corrosion, types of corrosion, ways to combat wear and corrosion damages, the choice of corrosion-resistant materials.
Objective
The objectives of mastering the discipline is the acquisition by master students of knowledge and skills and the mastering of basic information about the properties of materials used in the oil and gas business. Studying the discipline will allow you to master the necessary knowledge and skills for the competent use of modern materials and their use in basic equipment for drilling wells on land and at sea. During the training the undergraduates will have the skills to work with scientific and technical literature, periodicals and the Internet, including English-language sources, will gain experience in interdisciplinary analysis of problems arising during the construction of wells and a systematic approach to their solution.
Grading
Written exams and laboratory report
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Synopsis
The aim of this course is to establish solid mathematical basis for the evaluation of measurement and experimental data. The course addressed the following issues: the nature of measurement, forward and inverse problems, causality vs. correlation, calibration, multivariate systems, system identification, polynomial representations (local and global), invariance, discrete orthogonal basis functions, multivariate systems, symbolic approximation.
Objective
Practice of the content.
Measurement Control, Monitoring and Analysis
Measurement Control, Monitoring and Analysis
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course will present all relevant sensors on the rig and explain the measurement principles, as well as the required data quality assurance that needs to be applied interpreting these sensor readings. The participant will work through various examples of real-data from rigs to perform monitoring and analysis tasks, which typically are performed in real-time operating centers (RTOCs), or for post analysis. This will include requirements and examples for hydraulics monitoring, torque and drag monitoring, pore-pressure prediction and wellbore stability monitoring, as well as drilling performance evaluation. We will introduce data management and storage requirements and discuss data exchange standards, such as WITS or WITSML.
Objective
The participant will be introduced to all aspects of measuring at the rig, as well as reporting requirements and are able to apply that knowledge in the field. They also learn the necessary skills to perform analysis of all available data in real-time and to prepare the data for post analysis.
Grading
Midterm written exam and Oral exam at the end of the course.
The O&G Industry Machine and Equipment Design & Simulation
The O&G Industry Machine and Equipment Design & Simulation
Prerequisites
Student shall have skills in equipment design in 3D solid-state computer modeling software (CAD - SolidWorks), in mathematical model development and solution of problems using FEM methods List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The main objective of this course is to provide students with necessary knowledge and skills in design and modeling of equipment and machines used in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, the course covers: - Equipment design and modeling methodology, structure and stages; - Regulations, regulatory and technical documentation used for design and modeling; - Functional analysis methods for technical facilities and individual assemblies; - Methods of design and analysis of assembly, kinematic and structural layouts of mechanisms, assemblies and facilities; - Methods of computer-aided strength and durability analysis of machines and facilities; - Methods of computer-aided solution of direct and inverse hydrodynamic problems; - Methods of construction of test bench units with development of R&D programs performed using such test bench units.
Objective
Students will be able how to set proper problems by defining their initial and boundary conditions and be able to systematically approach to solve design related problems.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Construction Fluids Lab
Well Construction Fluids Lab
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course starts with a theoretical part, including safety instructions, an introduction to principal used equipment and procedures and a detailed discussion of backgrounds of the individual lab modules. In the practical part of this course students will execute a series of experiments. Principal properties like fluid viscosity, gel strength, weight and filtration is measured for two different fluid systems. The impact on these properties when drilling salt or shale is demonstrated. Special attention is laid on drilling problems like differential pipe sticking, mud cake resistivity and formation damage by drilling fluids.
Objective
The students understand and are able to conduct the most important drilling fluids rig-laboratory measurements. They are familiarized with mechanical and chemical and the hazards that come with those.
Grading
Continuous Assessment, Report and final exam.
Well Construction Mechanical Lab
Well Construction Mechanical Lab
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
GerhardPittino
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course is divided into three Modules. The first Module covers all the aspects related to ROP optimization, in these two days block, the students will also have the opportunity to gain a drilling practice using the Mini-Drill-Rig. The second Module is mainly specified for determining the rock strength Since the rock strength is strongly related to ROP performance, the second Module covers the entire test that is used to determine the rock strength. The students will have chance to use UCS test machine. In the last Module, the students will be allowed to use flow loop tool in order to study all the aspects related to hole cleaning and optimization.
Objective
The students are taught to apply their scientific and engineering knowledge to the solution of technical problems, within the requirements and constraints set by technological, material and economic considerations. Furthermore the successful participant will gain valuable practical experience from the operation of the Miniature Rig.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Integrity
Well Integrity
Prerequisites
List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
Well Integrity course covers design and implementation of Barrier Elements important to provide isolation during the lifecycle of the well. Procedures to analyze the success of a well operation and its dependence on the Barrier Element integrity is discussed. Risk and economic analysis associated with selection of different Barrier Elements on the outcome of well operations and well events are included.
Objective
Upon completion of the course, Students should be able to analyze the risk of failure of different Barrier Elements and the economic impact on well operation. The course should help engineers understand why Barrier Elements are important for safe and economic production of subsurface energy. Students should also be able to design the Barrier Elements that are fit for the purpose.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Well Placement
Well Placement
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a basic understanding of geology, well logging, drilling engineering and production engineering. List of compulsary prior lectures
Synopsis
In this course students will be tought the basic concepts of well placement and the dependency of these principles on geoscience, drilling and production. Well placement and its applications are defined and the entire process from the planning to the execution stage is covered: Students will learn how to create the necessary geoscience models, well plans and LWD models. For the drilling stage, students will learn how to interprete measurements and the workflows to place the well in the target zone, meet the well objective and also consider the production restrictions for the later stage of the well life.
Objective
Students will learn how to create the necessary geoscience models, well plans, LWD models and will undergo telemetry and steering decision calculations.
Grading
Two written exams and project presentation
Well Reconstruction, Workover & Abandonment
Well Reconstruction, Workover & Abandonment
Inz.-Mech. Ktn
MikhailGelfgat
Prerequisites
Well Control; Advanced Drilling Technology; Well Integrity; Well Completion
Synopsis
will follow
Objective
will follow
Grading
This course presume continuous assessment with two intermediate tests, home work in the form of case study, or scientific paper and the final presentation and discussion of selected topic at the group seminar.
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Wellbore and Reservoir Geomechanics
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
Aims: To provide the geo-mechanical background and skills in the quantification of the mechanical properties of reservoir rocks and deformation processes of relevance to petroleum engineering. Objectives: Departing from the already familiar concepts of strain and stress Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, and elastic versus visco-plastic irreversible deformation, this lecture will explain how reservoir rocks deform (rheology), and the stress- and fluid pressure states they are in before and during production. This analysis also necessitates a review of natural / induced faulting and fracturing and the corresponding patterns and structures that often confine or occur within hydrocarbon reservoirs. The concepts: compaction, strain hardening and softening, strain localization, tensile and shear failure, constitutive models, the relationship between fluid pressure and effective stress, the yield-envelope, and typical stress states of the earth’s crust will be explained in sufficient detail to understand reservoir geo-mechanical studies and field tests. Special emphasis will be placed on stress measurement and wellbore stability (breakouts, hydraulic fracture etc.) as well as the deformation of reservoir rocks under low effective stress / elevated fluid pressure. FEM analysis will be used to investigate stresses and failure in geo-engineering applications. The PDEs governing elastic-plastic behavior and taking into account fluid pressure and flow will be introduced, deriving displacement based FEM formulations. Field studies on the Lost Hill anticline and offshore reservoirs in the western US will be used to illustrate these concepts in practice.
Objective
Course participants will learn standard techniques to evaluate the state of stress, fluid pressure regime, constitutive behavior and failure envelope for most common sedimentary rocks. This will enable them to assess borehole stability, the poroelastic response of a reservoir, and the risks of reservoir compaction and disintegration / sand production.
Grading
One piece of course work (30%), an interim exam (30%) and a final exam on all of the covered material (40%).
1. Year
1. Semester (Winter)
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Prerequisites
no
Synopsis
Selected chapters and actual topics from the petroleum business. Every student gets the chance to dive into selected topics of Petroleum Economics, in a way that under guidance of an advisor he is able to write a scientific article in SPE-paper style.
Objective
The aim of the course is to enable the student to write autonomously a scientific literature paper.
Grading
paper, written
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas; The course builds upon knowledge of Laplace eq., and heat modeling (550.982 Thermodynamik und Wärmeübertragung), Navier-Stokes eqs., and flow modeling (550.007 Geo Engineering Fluid Dynamics), and the infinitesimal deformation theory (400.008 Mechanik IB). Understanding of the numerical methods (170.004 Numerische Methoden I) and being able to read programs (150.100 Computeranwendung and Programmierung) is of advantage.
Synopsis
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics independently, be it fluid dynamics, or solid mechanics
Objective
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to independently solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics, be it fluid dynamics and/or solid mechanics, using an OpenFOAM solver.
Grading
continuous assessment Meshing task (10 points), Project (50 points), Test (40 points) All-in-one exam possible during semester break (min. 45 points, test and project done) Grading: ≥90 points: excellent (1) 80 to <90 points: good (2) 65 to <80 points: satisfactory (3) 50 to <65 points: sufficient (4) <50 points: failed (5)
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Mag.phil.
UrsulaHofmeister
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BSC courses in PE
Synopsis
The lectures will cover various types of situations where a crisis have occurred and describe the importance of setting up a crisis management system. The steps and procedures that have to be followed will be taught and different approaches to remediation will be discussed in the class. These are crucial details that nurtures the participants’ sense of responsibility while improving their competence in leadership. In addition, the students will also get trained in a TV studio in a simulation that strengthens their character and self-confidence, as well as their conversational and promoting skills. All this will allow them to take charge in case of a disaster or even act as company’s spokesperson. Successful participants will be able to identify the crisis potential. They will be capable of setting up a crisis organization within a short period of time. The ability of internal and external communication will be demonstrated and strengths and weaknesses will be identified.
Objective
This lecture intends to prepare the students for situations where unexpected events occur and need to be dealt with in a short amount of time. It trains the students, as future engineers and managers, to handle tough situations, make decisions and claim responsibilities.
Grading
In-class practice rounds are discussed and evaluated by the lecturers as well as the fellow students. Also a written exam will be given to evaluate the theoretical knowledge of the students.
Data Science for Engineers II
Data Science for Engineers II
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Prerequisites
Students taking part in this course will need a grounding in matrix algebra and analysis. Additionally, programming experience is required, prefferbly in Matlab.
Synopsis
This course gives an in-depth introduction to model based data science and the programming techniques required to implement them. The course focuses on approximating models, together with prediction and confidence intervals. This course addresses the following issues: • Mathematical methods for approximation, together with prediction and confidence intervals. Convolution, correlation and system response. • Statistics in data analysis: expected values, variance, hypothesis testing. • Polynomials: global, local, piece-wise, constrained (interpolation, approximation). • Basis functions, admissible functions for data analysis and inverse problems. Generalized Fourier series. • Matrix algebra for the derivation of properties and as a precursor to implementation in code. • Code patterns for the implementation of libraries to support data analysis. MATLAB is used both for the implementation of methods and student exercises.
Objective
This course is aimed at students at masters level, those who attend this course shall be in the position to: • examine a data analysis problem and implement solutions including estimates for uncertainty. • select the appropriate mathematical approach to extract the desired information, • design algorithms, prove their properties and implement them in code (Matlab mcode will be used for demonstration purposes); • create libraries of functions which support the development of data analysis systems. • document the results in a clear, scientific manner.
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Mag. (FH)
BirgitStoiser
Synopsis
Introduction to Decision and Risk Analysis -Decision Elements, Decisions & Outcomes, Hard decisions Multi-objective decision-making methodology -Structuring/Framing the decision situation -Evaluating/Modelling the decision -Deciding, sensitivity analysis and assessing trade-offs Assessing and Modeling Risk & Uncertainty -Review & development of relevant probability, statistics and economics concepts -Monte Carlo simulation Influence Diagrams and Decision-tree analysis Creating Value in Uncertain Decision Situations -Value of Information -Value of Flexibility (Handling attitude to risk) Psychological and judgmental aspects of decision-making & uncertainty assessment
Objective
The aim of this course is to deepen the knowledge and to give further insights in Decision Making and Risk Analysis in the oil business.
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Dipl.-Ing. Mag.
HelmutLanganger
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Major Challenges for E&PCompanies in the coming Years Major non-technical Skillsrequired for Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Major Skills required for Oil & Gas Executives Essential Steps in Acquiring Oil and Gas Assets or Companies How to read and interpret Oil Company Reports How to develop a Strategy for an Oil Company Corporate Governance in the Oil Industry Code of Conduct in the Oil Industry Duties of Boards of Oil Companies How to found an Oil Company
Objective
The insemination of essential elements in the oand gas business from an general and leadership perspective
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course introduces an analytical approach to the solution of fluid flow problems encountered in petroleum engineering. The course covers the fundamentals of fluid mechanics for petroleum engineers with respect to flow in pipes and wellbores and their application to the practical problems. Main topics: liquid and gas properties, fundamental governing equations, inviscid and viscous flows, Poiseuille flow, Bernoulli equation, dimensionless numbers, boundary layer theory, friction, multi-phase flows, cuttings transport, and fluid displacement
Objective
Successful participant will gain an understanding of the principles of fluid flow modeling in horizontal and vertical channels and learn how to create mathematical models of single and multi-phase flows in complex pipes and wellbores.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Synopsis
The aim of this course is to establish solid mathematical basis for the evaluation of measurement and experimental data. The course addressed the following issues: the nature of measurement, forward and inverse problems, causality vs. correlation, calibration, multivariate systems, system identification, polynomial representations (local and global), invariance, discrete orthogonal basis functions, multivariate systems, symbolic approximation.
Objective
Practice of the content.
On- and Offshore Production Facilities & Water Processing
On- and Offshore Production Facilities & Water Processing
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
This course covers on- and offshore facilities, like platform types, equipment, and working principles. Separators, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers are studied and designed. Refinery processes and tank facilities for short and long – term storage are discussed. Oil field water treatment technology and well abandonment principles are part of this course. The course also commits to addressing HSE, and in particular safety, as a concept. The identification of danger zones and protection methods, as well as monitoring techniques, are elaborated. By the end, the practices will be evaluated and categorized based on their functionality and energy efficiency.
Objective
This lecture describes the processes and equipment used in on- and offshore production facilities around the world in the up and midstream industry.
2. Semester (Summer)
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
2. Semester (Summer)
During the second semester both Montanuniversität and Ufa University students will attend lectures at Ufa State Petroleum Technological University in Ufa, Russia.
Please visit the overview for further information.
2. Year
3. Semester (Winter)
Advanced Oil, Gas and Geothermal Energy Recovery
Advanced Oil, Gas and Geothermal Energy Recovery
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BCs courses in PE
Synopsis
The sole purpose of this lecture is to introduce the state-of-the-art advancements in the industry so as to keep the students up to date with the current status of the technical projects as well as allowing them to pick out from potential areas of research and work on them further as their Master thesis. These topics not only include the recent technologies that are commercially available, but also the concept plans or patents that are being developed at the department. The participants will obtain a clear overview about the present state of the industry and inform themselves on the research capabilities of their department which should allow them to choose their future research or career path more clearly.
Objective
This course provides a unique opportunity for students to get informed about the latest technologies in the field of petroleum production and geothermal energy recovery; topics that may not have been covered in the previous lectures.
Grading
A final oral exam contributing to 100% of the grade.
Computational Solids Mechanics
Computational Solids Mechanics
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
none
Synopsis
This course starts with an introduction into a selected Finite Elements software package. Simple general examples are solved together in class and the related theory (method of weighted residuals, galerkin procedure, error estimation, convergence criteria, ..) is discussed. The interaction of the FE software package and python is discussed in moderate complex petroleum industry related examples.
Objective
The goal is to familiarize the students with a selected FE package and calculate the solution of simple engineering problems.
Grading
oral examination 80%, practical examples 20%
Energy Transport and Network
Energy Transport and Network
Prerequisites
BSc in PE
Synopsis
Geothermal energy, just like any other source of energy, needs to be transported from the production facilities to users, whether to public entities or private households. This course will look into the concept of energy transportation as a common practice and then focuses on the specifics of geothermal energy and identifies its special requirements. The main focus will be on designing networks, by discussing the various design types and comparing their performance. Various mathematical models exist for that matter and they will be investigated individually in this lecture. The means to reach a successful and sustainable design and the methods for control and optimization will be another topic of this lecture. Lastly, different softwares that can be used for this purpose will be introduced and examples will be carried out in the class.
Objective
This lecture discusses the prospect of transporting geothermal energy from the source all the way to households. It also aims to define the challenges and considerations with regards to the planning and execution.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Flow Assurance, Well Intervention and Workover
Flow Assurance, Well Intervention and Workover
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles Practical, Artificial Lift Systems Practical
Synopsis
This course is based on the knowledge, gained from the basic courses during the bachelor’s studies. Corrosion, erosion, and choke behavior are discussed as well as organic and inorganic scale phenomes along the production system. Removal and mitigation procedures are presented. Well Intervention and workover techniques, tools, and equipment are discussed in detail.
Objective
This complimentary course gives the students a detailed training on the flow assurance from the reservoir to the separator. Organic and inorganic scales and accumulations are discussed. Hand calculations in conjunction with the usage of state of the art software provide the students with fundamental knowledge on successfully designing and analyzing production systems. Well Intervention and workover techniques, tools, and equipment are discussed in detail.
Grading
Several assignments, a final written exam and a project done with the help of the educational will all contribute to the final grade.
Fluid Storage Facilities
Fluid Storage Facilities
Prerequisites
MSC in DD
Synopsis
The lecture builds on the background built in the previous semester about the importance of storing water, oil and gas for supply security. Tank storage facilities, dams, pore storage facilities, and cavern storage facilities are discussed in details. Tthe geological conditions for storage facilities, its construction, operation and maintenance are part of this course. HSE and economic aspects are included. Successful participants will have a detailed knowledge on these storage technologies.
Objective
The aim of this course is to discuss the state of the art of fluid storage technology – water, oil, and gas. All stages, starting at the construction, followed by operation, and abandonment are covered.
Grading
Continious evaluation during the course and final exam
Green Hydrogen Technology
Green Hydrogen Technology
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
This course will cover the relevant aspects of green hydrogen production in relation to the petroleum industry
Synopsis
Decarbonising the planet is one of the major goals of countries around the world. Until 2050 a significant share of the energy should be provided by hydrogen. Currently, hydrogen is produced by using fossil fuels. The decarbonising of hydrogen production, by using renewable energy sources of waste energy of processes, can reduce the global CO2 emissions significantly. This lecture provides an overview of the properties of hydrogen and its potential for the future. Hydrogen production in general is compared to green hydrogen production. Processes and developments especially related to the petroleum industry are presented.
Objective
Successful participants will be able to understand and apply the fundamental concepts and apply the knowledge
Grading
Final exam counting for 100%
Natural Gas and CO2 Technology
Natural Gas and CO2 Technology
Prerequisites
BSc course in PE
Synopsis
The lecture will cover all the general yet necessary processes for conditioning the natural gas so that it is prepared for the day to day applications. It begins with a description of the technical specifications of natural gas which will build the structure on which future conditioning techniques are going to be decided on. Further on, some of the compulsory processes including purification, desulfurization, dehydration, distribution, and storage will be explained in full details. The required equipment for the mentioned practices will also be named and introduced. In addition, the necessity of transportation of natural gas to the market by means of liquefaction or GTL-processes will be described and the challenges will be discussed. By the end, the importance of process flow diagrams will be demonstrated and later requested from the students.
Objective
The lecture will explain the process of natural gas production from the reservoir to the wellbore and finally, via the surface facilities, to its final destination at the customer’s location. This knowledge is of particular importance for the energy industry in Austria.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%
Production Data Analysis and Modelling
Production Data Analysis and Modelling
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
RudolfFruhwirth
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles, Artificial Lift Systems, Basics of Statistics
Synopsis
The world is full of data, and the data volumes are exploding. So, it makes quite sense to think about how to make the data useful, as data may indeed contain crucial content. Therefore, one burning question is how to get information, knowledge, or even wisdom out of the data. In the past, we humans were the brains for everything, but nowadays, understanding and interpreting such amounts of data in this information rich world is a challenge that cannot be tackled without the assistance of computational power and sophisticated algorithms for data analysis and visualization. The course starts with the principles of data acquisition and carries on via data QC/QA towards sophisticated visualization methods based on visual analytics. Subsequently, the creation of models based on the data in combination with some (petroleum) expert know-how is introduced for automated providing decisions or predictions or at least decision support. The entire program is, of course, accompanied by the required mathematics. In the framework of data acquisition, the sampling theorem will lead to the understanding of aliasing and the impact of the sampling process itself on the data. The Fourier and Hilbert transform, as well as the principles of digital filtering based on the convolution integral, will support the understanding of noise reduction in the context of data QC/QA. Outlier detection and missing values handling as well as the tackling of time-shift problems, are a separate chapter in that block. Introduction into visual analytics will support the understanding of large and complex datasets for both, numerical as well as categorical data. A review of statistical distributions including maximum likelihood method will support the understanding of mixture models and their decomposition by methods like expectation maximisation. For outlier handling the concept of robust objective functions and how to integrate them into the model building process is discussed and applied. In the context of the model building, deterministic models in combination with heuristic models like linear-, logistic- and Poisson-regression, Bayesian inference, neural networks, static and dynamic committee machines are discussed and applied to e.g., pump failure and dynamometer card analysis. In model building, special emphasis is placed on improving model quality. With a few simple rules, trapping in local error minima while training the models can be largely reduced and by adjusting the model complexity to the requirements of the data. Modelling noise in the data due to overtraining or over-sizing models can be largely avoided. In addition, methods like multiple cross-validation and the role of features are discussed. Cross-validation allows for better estimation and prediction of the generalization properties of the models, which stands for the quality of a model applied to data it has never seen before. Features are an inevitable part of model building, as they can substantially reduce the necessary model complexity and thus significantly increase the models’ generalization properties. For feature creation deterministic and statistical methods are shown as well as unsupervised feature learning, while for the identification of relevant features methods like forward selection and backward elimination are compared.
Objective
The course gives insight into the (increasing) role of data in the oil & gas business. Participants are trained in learning by doing throughout the whole class. Necessary tools are provided via Moodle or recommended, as well as created by the participants themselves by programming it in VBA.
Courses alphabetically
Advanced Oil, Gas and Geothermal Energy Recovery
Advanced Oil, Gas and Geothermal Energy Recovery
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BCs courses in PE
Synopsis
The sole purpose of this lecture is to introduce the state-of-the-art advancements in the industry so as to keep the students up to date with the current status of the technical projects as well as allowing them to pick out from potential areas of research and work on them further as their Master thesis. These topics not only include the recent technologies that are commercially available, but also the concept plans or patents that are being developed at the department. The participants will obtain a clear overview about the present state of the industry and inform themselves on the research capabilities of their department which should allow them to choose their future research or career path more clearly.
Objective
This course provides a unique opportunity for students to get informed about the latest technologies in the field of petroleum production and geothermal energy recovery; topics that may not have been covered in the previous lectures.
Grading
A final oral exam contributing to 100% of the grade.
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Advanced Petroleum Economics Seminar
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Prerequisites
no
Synopsis
Selected chapters and actual topics from the petroleum business. Every student gets the chance to dive into selected topics of Petroleum Economics, in a way that under guidance of an advisor he is able to write a scientific article in SPE-paper style.
Objective
The aim of the course is to enable the student to write autonomously a scientific literature paper.
Grading
paper, written
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Computational Continuum Mechanics
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas; The course builds upon knowledge of Laplace eq., and heat modeling (550.982 Thermodynamik und Wärmeübertragung), Navier-Stokes eqs., and flow modeling (550.007 Geo Engineering Fluid Dynamics), and the infinitesimal deformation theory (400.008 Mechanik IB). Understanding of the numerical methods (170.004 Numerische Methoden I) and being able to read programs (150.100 Computeranwendung and Programmierung) is of advantage.
Synopsis
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics independently, be it fluid dynamics, or solid mechanics
Objective
Successful participants will gain an insight into a general simulation workflow, will create a connection between physics models and their numerical implementation and will be able to independently solve a simulation problem of continuum mechanics, be it fluid dynamics and/or solid mechanics, using an OpenFOAM solver.
Grading
continuous assessment Meshing task (10 points), Project (50 points), Test (40 points) All-in-one exam possible during semester break (min. 45 points, test and project done) Grading: ≥90 points: excellent (1) 80 to <90 points: good (2) 65 to <80 points: satisfactory (3) 50 to <65 points: sufficient (4) <50 points: failed (5)
Computational Solids Mechanics
Computational Solids Mechanics
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
none
Synopsis
This course starts with an introduction into a selected Finite Elements software package. Simple general examples are solved together in class and the related theory (method of weighted residuals, galerkin procedure, error estimation, convergence criteria, ..) is discussed. The interaction of the FE software package and python is discussed in moderate complex petroleum industry related examples.
Objective
The goal is to familiarize the students with a selected FE package and calculate the solution of simple engineering problems.
Grading
oral examination 80%, practical examples 20%
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Crisis Management in the Petroleum Industry
Mag.phil.
UrsulaHofmeister
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
BSC courses in PE
Synopsis
The lectures will cover various types of situations where a crisis have occurred and describe the importance of setting up a crisis management system. The steps and procedures that have to be followed will be taught and different approaches to remediation will be discussed in the class. These are crucial details that nurtures the participants’ sense of responsibility while improving their competence in leadership. In addition, the students will also get trained in a TV studio in a simulation that strengthens their character and self-confidence, as well as their conversational and promoting skills. All this will allow them to take charge in case of a disaster or even act as company’s spokesperson. Successful participants will be able to identify the crisis potential. They will be capable of setting up a crisis organization within a short period of time. The ability of internal and external communication will be demonstrated and strengths and weaknesses will be identified.
Objective
This lecture intends to prepare the students for situations where unexpected events occur and need to be dealt with in a short amount of time. It trains the students, as future engineers and managers, to handle tough situations, make decisions and claim responsibilities.
Grading
In-class practice rounds are discussed and evaluated by the lecturers as well as the fellow students. Also a written exam will be given to evaluate the theoretical knowledge of the students.
Data Science for Engineers II
Data Science for Engineers II
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Prerequisites
Students taking part in this course will need a grounding in matrix algebra and analysis. Additionally, programming experience is required, prefferbly in Matlab.
Synopsis
This course gives an in-depth introduction to model based data science and the programming techniques required to implement them. The course focuses on approximating models, together with prediction and confidence intervals. This course addresses the following issues: • Mathematical methods for approximation, together with prediction and confidence intervals. Convolution, correlation and system response. • Statistics in data analysis: expected values, variance, hypothesis testing. • Polynomials: global, local, piece-wise, constrained (interpolation, approximation). • Basis functions, admissible functions for data analysis and inverse problems. Generalized Fourier series. • Matrix algebra for the derivation of properties and as a precursor to implementation in code. • Code patterns for the implementation of libraries to support data analysis. MATLAB is used both for the implementation of methods and student exercises.
Objective
This course is aimed at students at masters level, those who attend this course shall be in the position to: • examine a data analysis problem and implement solutions including estimates for uncertainty. • select the appropriate mathematical approach to extract the desired information, • design algorithms, prove their properties and implement them in code (Matlab mcode will be used for demonstration purposes); • create libraries of functions which support the development of data analysis systems. • document the results in a clear, scientific manner.
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Decision-Making and Risk Analysis
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
WolfgangPosch
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Mag. (FH)
BirgitStoiser
Synopsis
Introduction to Decision and Risk Analysis -Decision Elements, Decisions & Outcomes, Hard decisions Multi-objective decision-making methodology -Structuring/Framing the decision situation -Evaluating/Modelling the decision -Deciding, sensitivity analysis and assessing trade-offs Assessing and Modeling Risk & Uncertainty -Review & development of relevant probability, statistics and economics concepts -Monte Carlo simulation Influence Diagrams and Decision-tree analysis Creating Value in Uncertain Decision Situations -Value of Information -Value of Flexibility (Handling attitude to risk) Psychological and judgmental aspects of decision-making & uncertainty assessment
Objective
The aim of this course is to deepen the knowledge and to give further insights in Decision Making and Risk Analysis in the oil business.
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Energy Transport and Network
Energy Transport and Network
Prerequisites
BSc in PE
Synopsis
Geothermal energy, just like any other source of energy, needs to be transported from the production facilities to users, whether to public entities or private households. This course will look into the concept of energy transportation as a common practice and then focuses on the specifics of geothermal energy and identifies its special requirements. The main focus will be on designing networks, by discussing the various design types and comparing their performance. Various mathematical models exist for that matter and they will be investigated individually in this lecture. The means to reach a successful and sustainable design and the methods for control and optimization will be another topic of this lecture. Lastly, different softwares that can be used for this purpose will be introduced and examples will be carried out in the class.
Objective
This lecture discusses the prospect of transporting geothermal energy from the source all the way to households. It also aims to define the challenges and considerations with regards to the planning and execution.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Entrepreneurship in Oil and Gas Industry - Special Topics
Dipl.-Ing. Mag.
HelmutLanganger
Dipl.-Ing. MBA
FranzSiegmeth
Synopsis
Major Challenges for E&PCompanies in the coming Years Major non-technical Skillsrequired for Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Major Skills required for Oil & Gas Executives Essential Steps in Acquiring Oil and Gas Assets or Companies How to read and interpret Oil Company Reports How to develop a Strategy for an Oil Company Corporate Governance in the Oil Industry Code of Conduct in the Oil Industry Duties of Boards of Oil Companies How to found an Oil Company
Objective
The insemination of essential elements in the oand gas business from an general and leadership perspective
Grading
Paper, written and/or oral
Flow Assurance, Well Intervention and Workover
Flow Assurance, Well Intervention and Workover
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles Practical, Artificial Lift Systems Practical
Synopsis
This course is based on the knowledge, gained from the basic courses during the bachelor’s studies. Corrosion, erosion, and choke behavior are discussed as well as organic and inorganic scale phenomes along the production system. Removal and mitigation procedures are presented. Well Intervention and workover techniques, tools, and equipment are discussed in detail.
Objective
This complimentary course gives the students a detailed training on the flow assurance from the reservoir to the separator. Organic and inorganic scales and accumulations are discussed. Hand calculations in conjunction with the usage of state of the art software provide the students with fundamental knowledge on successfully designing and analyzing production systems. Well Intervention and workover techniques, tools, and equipment are discussed in detail.
Grading
Several assignments, a final written exam and a project done with the help of the educational will all contribute to the final grade.
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Flow of Fluids in Wells and Pipes
Ing. Dr.mont.
PetrVíta
Prerequisites
BSc or engineering degree in technology related areas List of compulsory prior lectures
Synopsis
The course introduces an analytical approach to the solution of fluid flow problems encountered in petroleum engineering. The course covers the fundamentals of fluid mechanics for petroleum engineers with respect to flow in pipes and wellbores and their application to the practical problems. Main topics: liquid and gas properties, fundamental governing equations, inviscid and viscous flows, Poiseuille flow, Bernoulli equation, dimensionless numbers, boundary layer theory, friction, multi-phase flows, cuttings transport, and fluid displacement
Objective
Successful participant will gain an understanding of the principles of fluid flow modeling in horizontal and vertical channels and learn how to create mathematical models of single and multi-phase flows in complex pipes and wellbores.
Grading
Continuous assessment
Fluid Storage Facilities
Fluid Storage Facilities
Prerequisites
MSC in DD
Synopsis
The lecture builds on the background built in the previous semester about the importance of storing water, oil and gas for supply security. Tank storage facilities, dams, pore storage facilities, and cavern storage facilities are discussed in details. Tthe geological conditions for storage facilities, its construction, operation and maintenance are part of this course. HSE and economic aspects are included. Successful participants will have a detailed knowledge on these storage technologies.
Objective
The aim of this course is to discuss the state of the art of fluid storage technology – water, oil, and gas. All stages, starting at the construction, followed by operation, and abandonment are covered.
Grading
Continious evaluation during the course and final exam
Green Hydrogen Technology
Green Hydrogen Technology
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
This course will cover the relevant aspects of green hydrogen production in relation to the petroleum industry
Synopsis
Decarbonising the planet is one of the major goals of countries around the world. Until 2050 a significant share of the energy should be provided by hydrogen. Currently, hydrogen is produced by using fossil fuels. The decarbonising of hydrogen production, by using renewable energy sources of waste energy of processes, can reduce the global CO2 emissions significantly. This lecture provides an overview of the properties of hydrogen and its potential for the future. Hydrogen production in general is compared to green hydrogen production. Processes and developments especially related to the petroleum industry are presented.
Objective
Successful participants will be able to understand and apply the fundamental concepts and apply the knowledge
Grading
Final exam counting for 100%
Health, Safety and Environment
Health, Safety and Environment
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
The course provides a comprehensive overview of national, European and international regulations of HSE that must be fully understood and implemented for all oil and gas production operations. Moreover, technical standards for well drilling, with particular attention to dangerous zones and materials, will be covered in the context of occupational safety and health, safety to third parties and environmental protection. The importance of risk assessment is also discussed and measures with respect to protection, preparedness and responsiveness will be debated as well. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have a clear understanding of HSE procedures and can implement them from the very beginning of any process and identify issues on existing systems and remediate them.
Objective
The target of this course is to introduce the technical rules and protocols regarding health, safety, and environment which are key requirements for any operation in the field.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%.
Literature Review Project
Literature Review Project
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
HerbertHofstätter
Prerequisites
Reservoir Characterisation and Modelling, Enhanced Oil Recovery, Reservoir Simulation Methods
Synopsis
Aims: To understand the function of-, referential character, structure, and organization of scientific publications and learn how to write a literature review following this format. Objectives: Explain the process of preparation, submission, review and publication of scientific articles and their structure. Give participants a sense of the purpose of this organization and the role of individual elements, with special emphasis on the introduction, and its subdivision into the review, claim, and agenda. Special emphasis will be placed on how a literature review uses citations to progress from the familiar to the new, how it should distinguish areas of broad agreement from ones of controversy, and how different sources and kinds of information available to scientists underpin different viewpoints.
Objective
Successful participants will know how to use scientific literature to quickly extract information, supporting evidence / arguments, and links to supporting materials from articles. They will understand the role of the abstract, introduction, method, result and discussion sections, the conclusions, acknowledgements, list of references, and notation tables. They will also be able to properly reference citations, figures, and tables and know how to write figure captions and other elements of a paper in the expected format. Similar knowledge with regard to the preparation of conference presentations will also be acquired.
Grading
Initial test must be passed, review (70%) and presentation to peers (30%) of final mark.
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Mathematical Foundations for Data Measurement
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.
PaulO'Leary
Synopsis
The aim of this course is to establish solid mathematical basis for the evaluation of measurement and experimental data. The course addressed the following issues: the nature of measurement, forward and inverse problems, causality vs. correlation, calibration, multivariate systems, system identification, polynomial representations (local and global), invariance, discrete orthogonal basis functions, multivariate systems, symbolic approximation.
Objective
Practice of the content.
Natural Gas and CO2 Technology
Natural Gas and CO2 Technology
Prerequisites
BSc course in PE
Synopsis
The lecture will cover all the general yet necessary processes for conditioning the natural gas so that it is prepared for the day to day applications. It begins with a description of the technical specifications of natural gas which will build the structure on which future conditioning techniques are going to be decided on. Further on, some of the compulsory processes including purification, desulfurization, dehydration, distribution, and storage will be explained in full details. The required equipment for the mentioned practices will also be named and introduced. In addition, the necessity of transportation of natural gas to the market by means of liquefaction or GTL-processes will be described and the challenges will be discussed. By the end, the importance of process flow diagrams will be demonstrated and later requested from the students.
Objective
The lecture will explain the process of natural gas production from the reservoir to the wellbore and finally, via the surface facilities, to its final destination at the customer’s location. This knowledge is of particular importance for the energy industry in Austria.
Grading
A final oral exam accounting for 100%
On- and Offshore Production Facilities & Water Processing
On- and Offshore Production Facilities & Water Processing
Prerequisites
BSc courses in PE
Synopsis
This course covers on- and offshore facilities, like platform types, equipment, and working principles. Separators, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers are studied and designed. Refinery processes and tank facilities for short and long – term storage are discussed. Oil field water treatment technology and well abandonment principles are part of this course. The course also commits to addressing HSE, and in particular safety, as a concept. The identification of danger zones and protection methods, as well as monitoring techniques, are elaborated. By the end, the practices will be evaluated and categorized based on their functionality and energy efficiency.
Objective
This lecture describes the processes and equipment used in on- and offshore production facilities around the world in the up and midstream industry.
Production Data Analysis and Modelling
Production Data Analysis and Modelling
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont.
RudolfFruhwirth
Prerequisites
Oil and Gas Production Principles, Artificial Lift Systems, Basics of Statistics
Synopsis
The world is full of data, and the data volumes are exploding. So, it makes quite sense to think about how to make the data useful, as data may indeed contain crucial content. Therefore, one burning question is how to get information, knowledge, or even wisdom out of the data. In the past, we humans were the brains for everything, but nowadays, understanding and interpreting such amounts of data in this information rich world is a challenge that cannot be tackled without the assistance of computational power and sophisticated algorithms for data analysis and visualization. The course starts with the principles of data acquisition and carries on via data QC/QA towards sophisticated visualization methods based on visual analytics. Subsequently, the creation of models based on the data in combination with some (petroleum) expert know-how is introduced for automated providing decisions or predictions or at least decision support. The entire program is, of course, accompanied by the required mathematics. In the framework of data acquisition, the sampling theorem will lead to the understanding of aliasing and the impact of the sampling process itself on the data. The Fourier and Hilbert transform, as well as the principles of digital filtering based on the convolution integral, will support the understanding of noise reduction in the context of data QC/QA. Outlier detection and missing values handling as well as the tackling of time-shift problems, are a separate chapter in that block. Introduction into visual analytics will support the understanding of large and complex datasets for both, numerical as well as categorical data. A review of statistical distributions including maximum likelihood method will support the understanding of mixture models and their decomposition by methods like expectation maximisation. For outlier handling the concept of robust objective functions and how to integrate them into the model building process is discussed and applied. In the context of the model building, deterministic models in combination with heuristic models like linear-, logistic- and Poisson-regression, Bayesian inference, neural networks, static and dynamic committee machines are discussed and applied to e.g., pump failure and dynamometer card analysis. In model building, special emphasis is placed on improving model quality. With a few simple rules, trapping in local error minima while training the models can be largely reduced and by adjusting the model complexity to the requirements of the data. Modelling noise in the data due to overtraining or over-sizing models can be largely avoided. In addition, methods like multiple cross-validation and the role of features are discussed. Cross-validation allows for better estimation and prediction of the generalization properties of the models, which stands for the quality of a model applied to data it has never seen before. Features are an inevitable part of model building, as they can substantially reduce the necessary model complexity and thus significantly increase the models’ generalization properties. For feature creation deterministic and statistical methods are shown as well as unsupervised feature learning, while for the identification of relevant features methods like forward selection and backward elimination are compared.
Objective
The course gives insight into the (increasing) role of data in the oil & gas business. Participants are trained in learning by doing throughout the whole class. Necessary tools are provided via Moodle or recommended, as well as created by the participants themselves by programming it in VBA.