Finding Oil Lab
Hey, world! Today Mr. Greg came to discuss about how people find oil under the ocean. We did a lab where our table would try to find oil. Let's how that turns out.
Goal: To practice being a geologist
Your group is a team of geologists from the consulting firm KGS (Kearny Geological Solutions) hired by BP to find likely oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico. You will see simulated seismological data from that region, and your knowledge of how oil forms, to recommend a location for your client to drill.
Part One: You will be given a set of data taken by the KGS field team. They have conducted a seismic survey and processed the data to calculate the speed of sound in various layers of rock.
Your Job: Calculate the density of the rock at each grid point.
To do this, you need to know how to convert the speed of sound at that grid point to the density at that grid point. Luckily, you know the following:
Your group is a team of geologists from the consulting firm KGS (Kearny Geological Solutions) hired by BP to find likely oil reserves in the Gulf of Mexico. You will see simulated seismological data from that region, and your knowledge of how oil forms, to recommend a location for your client to drill.
Part One: You will be given a set of data taken by the KGS field team. They have conducted a seismic survey and processed the data to calculate the speed of sound in various layers of rock.
Your Job: Calculate the density of the rock at each grid point.
To do this, you need to know how to convert the speed of sound at that grid point to the density at that grid point. Luckily, you know the following:
ElementsAirWaterCoalShale |
Speed of Sound (m/s)325160021334800 |
Density (kg/m3)1.316100013002800 |
Do The Following: Plot the speed of sound versus the density of these materials to find a linear fit. (A "linear fit" is a fancy way to say "draw a straight line through your data points".) Using your linear model (that line you just drew), find the density for the following sound speeds:
1) Plot what you know
2) Fit a line as close as possible to the data
3) Use your linear fit to find the relationship between other sound speeds and densities
1) Plot what you know
2) Fit a line as close as possible to the data
3) Use your linear fit to find the relationship between other sound speeds and densities
Speed of Sound (m/s)15001600170018001900200025003000350040004500460047004800 |
Density (kg/m3)80085095010001050111014501750205023502650271028002810 |
Part Two: Now you are ready to convert the seismic raw data to a meaningful map, which might show where oil has formed and is trapped.
Your Job: Using the worksheet you just created from the relation between sound of speed and density, (Table Two), and also the seismic results from your field team, create four map cross-sections of the exploration region (one for each depth). The maps should show areas where there is dense rock (like a capping stone) and areas where the density is low (like where there is oil). Color areas that are less dense in warm colors, and
areas that are more dense in cold colors like the color bar below.
INSERT COLOR BAR HERE
More dense.........Less dense
Keeping in mind that crude oil density is roughly 900 kg/m^3. Outline in RED in each map where you thin oil might be located. Now outline in BLACK where there might be a rock dense enough to be a capping stone. Keep in mind that shale is a typical capping stone.
Part Three (Homework): With these cross sections of rock density, you now have enough information to make a proposal to BP about where to drill. Your project manager will write the final report to BP (likely a one-hundred page document containing detailed images of the proposed site, as well as information on optimal drilling angles, depths, speeds, type of rock and many other important details.)
Your Job: As the geologists at KGS, you need to write an internal memo to your project manager, providing the essential details needed to draft the full report.
Be sure to include:
1. Information regarding the methods used to make your recommendation
2. The location or grid square(s) where you propose to drill (sorta like "Battlefield" like Mr. Greg said)
3. Why you propose that location
4. The depth required to drill to reach the reservoir
5. The densities and depths of the rock BP will need to drill through
Internal memos are usually only about one page and are intended to convey detailed information in the most clear and concise way possible. Please make use of the KGS publications department (your English teacher) for assistance.
Your Job: Using the worksheet you just created from the relation between sound of speed and density, (Table Two), and also the seismic results from your field team, create four map cross-sections of the exploration region (one for each depth). The maps should show areas where there is dense rock (like a capping stone) and areas where the density is low (like where there is oil). Color areas that are less dense in warm colors, and
areas that are more dense in cold colors like the color bar below.
INSERT COLOR BAR HERE
More dense.........Less dense
Keeping in mind that crude oil density is roughly 900 kg/m^3. Outline in RED in each map where you thin oil might be located. Now outline in BLACK where there might be a rock dense enough to be a capping stone. Keep in mind that shale is a typical capping stone.
Part Three (Homework): With these cross sections of rock density, you now have enough information to make a proposal to BP about where to drill. Your project manager will write the final report to BP (likely a one-hundred page document containing detailed images of the proposed site, as well as information on optimal drilling angles, depths, speeds, type of rock and many other important details.)
Your Job: As the geologists at KGS, you need to write an internal memo to your project manager, providing the essential details needed to draft the full report.
Be sure to include:
1. Information regarding the methods used to make your recommendation
2. The location or grid square(s) where you propose to drill (sorta like "Battlefield" like Mr. Greg said)
3. Why you propose that location
4. The depth required to drill to reach the reservoir
5. The densities and depths of the rock BP will need to drill through
Internal memos are usually only about one page and are intended to convey detailed information in the most clear and concise way possible. Please make use of the KGS publications department (your English teacher) for assistance.
Memorandum
To: BP Project Manager
From: Sabrina Lam
CC: Jennifer Ogo
Date: November 19, 2013
Subject: Seismic Exploration Results
Based on the data given, we think you should drill A5 (500m), C5 (1500m), A5 (1000m), and D2 (2000m). We should drill in those areas because the areas that are the softest, have the lowest density. In other words, these areas have oil. The method we used to find the oil, was to use the data given to us about the sound speed. We use the sound speed to find the density in all the areas to see if the areas have any low density. After using the method shown to us, we were able to find to the areas with the lowest density. Thank you for giving us this job to complete. We hope you give us more jobs to do, we'll be happy to accept more jobs. Until then, bye.
From: Sabrina Lam
CC: Jennifer Ogo
Date: November 19, 2013
Subject: Seismic Exploration Results
Based on the data given, we think you should drill A5 (500m), C5 (1500m), A5 (1000m), and D2 (2000m). We should drill in those areas because the areas that are the softest, have the lowest density. In other words, these areas have oil. The method we used to find the oil, was to use the data given to us about the sound speed. We use the sound speed to find the density in all the areas to see if the areas have any low density. After using the method shown to us, we were able to find to the areas with the lowest density. Thank you for giving us this job to complete. We hope you give us more jobs to do, we'll be happy to accept more jobs. Until then, bye.
I'm done here. I'll see you later. Peace!