This course presents the major concepts of petroleum and sedimentary geology as applied in heavy oil fields, focusing on the value of geoscience data and interpretations, and the direct impact of geology on reservoir heterogeneity, recovery method, and hydrocarbon production. Multiple examples and case studies are drawn from the instructor’s direct experience with a major oil sands operator focused on SAGD thermal recovery of heavy oil, McMurray Formation, Athabasca region, Alberta, Canada.

Topics include: Definitions and occurrences of heavy oil; Recovery methods used for heavy oil; Geoscience datasets used to evaluate and understand heavy oil fields; Sedimentary rocks and their environments of deposition, linking sedimentary environments with reservoir heterogeneity; and Examples of heavy oil geoscience techniques applied to SAGD exploration, development, and production.

This course is designed for junior to senior engineers and geoscientists looking to gain familiarity with heavy oil reservoirs. Benefits of the course will be 1) improved communication between integrated team members, and 2) a greater appreciation that a better understanding of the geology of the heavy oil projects is positively correlated with better business decisions.