The course is designed to introduce geologists and engineers to the concepts of biodegradation and the origin of heavy oil, along with the methods employed to characterize oil quality in terms of oil physical and geochemical composition. The course also describes the importance of strict quality assurance and quality control protocols for geochemical analysis and physical property measurements. The natural heterogeneities that are encountered in the fluid properties in heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs may be exploited by a number of tools which will be discussed during the course. The attendee will gain a sound base in geochemical knowledge and ability to recognize biodegradation in petroleum and assess degradation levels. The attendee will also develop an understanding how to exploit reservoir fluid composition heterogeneities as problem solving tools.
The course introduces exploration and production geoscientists and engineers to the practical problem solving possibilities of analyzing and understanding heavy oil and oil sand petroleum fluid property heterogeneities in-reservoir. Geoscientists with existing experience in heavy oil and oil sands reservoirs who may require exposure to the latest advances in geochemical applications.