Oil On My Shoes – The Original Petroleum Geology Site!

What Does a Petroleum Geologist Do? Five Things!

Step 1 – The Petroleum Geologist Prospects

Most petroleum geologists work in an office, where they have access to a lot of data. This includes well logs, core records, drilling records, scout tickets, and production data. They use the data to construct maps, cross-sections, and databases.  These products help them locate the best places to drill wells.

Prospecting is the work the geologist does to locate a place to drill a well!

He studies his maps and cross-sections and runs computer simulations that help him select the next best location to drill. He is always thinking about the next drilling location…or prospect!

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

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

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

• Discovering the selected location was already drilled by another company 40 years ago (and was dry)
• Discovering that her company has no legal right to drill on the location (lease problems)
• Unexpected faults or other geologic problems that crop up during drilling and ruin the prospect
• Discovering that the hole is being drilled in the wrong place after drilling begins (it has happened!)

Step 2 – The Petroleum Geologist Packages The Deal

To package the deal, he will prepare sets of simplified maps and cross-sections, often highly-colored and attractive to the eye. He may use Powerpoint, or other presentation software. Creativity, design sense, and art skills are important during this phase. He needs to anticipate all possible questions, and be prepared to answer each one of them. He must be very sure of himself and his facts before he moves to the next step.

Step 3 – The Petroleum Geologist Sells the Deal

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

He is looking to convince his clients that

• the prospect is worth drilling,
• investors will get a fair return for their money
• the provided financing will be money spent wisely

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

The geologist will meet with the landman (females in the business are also called “landmen”), who will ensure the company has the legal right to drill the well. He will consult with the engineer, who will determine the exact cost of drilling the well.  Marketing personnel will ensure that the company has a market (buyer) for the oil, or a pipeline for the gas. Managers, responsible for ensuring the company’s drilling budget is spent wisely, will also approve the well. If outside financing will be used, the geologist will explain the prospect to representatives of the bank or other individuals or partnerships that put up the money.

When he’s done, the geologist will have “sold” his prospect to anywhere from a few to several dozen people.

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

Next comes the part that every geologist enjoys the most! Drilling the well! It has now been several months since the geologist started working on his prospect. Now the surface owners have been paid, permits acquired, and money raised.  Roads and the drilling location have been built, pipe and supplies have been ordered.  Also, the energy company has engaged a drilling contractor who owns and operates the drilling rig.

The drilling contractor will drill the well in the manner specified by the company. The contractor will have leeway to select the type of drill bits to be used, hire a drilling crew, and make many other decisions concerning the actual drilling.  Virtually all holes are drilled by contractors.

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

The geologist will closely monitor all aspects of the drilling as it takes place. He will select an electric-logging company, and the proper wireline logging tools to evaluate the hole. He will usually hire a mud logging contractor to “sit” the well day and night.  The mud logger will study the well cuttings, report shows of oil and gas, and keep track of other things on the location. The geologist will monitor the formation tops as they are encountered, and discuss the progress of the drilling with the investors. The geologist will decide where and when to take cores or drill-stem tests. Finally, after the well is logged with electric logs, he will examine the logs and recommend the well be completed or plugged.

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

At last the hole is drilled!  At this time, a decision must quickly be made to attempt a completion, or plug the well.  Completion costs are extremely high, so it must be believed that the completion will be worth the money.  Justifying a completion can be a grueling process.  It almost always takes place in the middle of the night!

The job of completing the well is mainly in the hands of the petroleum engineer. The engineer will decide what type of casing to use, and the method of cementing, He will design the completion procedure (which may involve perforating, breakdowns, acid jobs, or fracks). However, he will depend on the geologist to advise him on various topics. To start, the geologist will give the engineer a list of formation tops, and tell the engineer exactly which zones should be tested.

The geologist is often the person most familiar with the technical practices of other oil companies in the area. He may suggest a certain style or method of perforation, or offer advice on cementing techniques. He may be familiar with the most successful fracturing or breakdown procedures in the area. He will relay this information to the petroleum engineer, who will usually be thankful for the help! Working as a team, the geologist and petroleum engineer will get the well completed, and put it to work providing energy for all of us!