PETROENG 1005 - Introduction to Subsurface Geoscience & GeoEnergy

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This course provides an introduction to geology and subsurface geoscience (first half of the semester) and an introduction to GeoEnergy resources (second half of the semester). No prior knowledge in geology is assumed and the course starts from basic geological concepts (e.g. minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, rock deformation and geological time) then moves onto critical concepts in GeoEnergy resources (e.g. source rocks, reservoir rocks, sealing rocks, maturation, migration and trapping of hydrocarbons, carbon capture and storage) and finally introduces the tools used in the safe and sustainable exploration for subsurface. GeoEnergy resources (seismic surveying, drilling and logging). Throughout the semester one lecture per week is also given by a guest speaker in order to provide an overview of the GeoEnergy industry. Theoretical concepts introduced during the lectures are applied during series of interactive practicals addressing topics including rock and mineral identification, geological mapping and seismic interpretation.

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Course Details

Course Code	PETROENG 1005
Course	Introduction to Subsurface Geoscience & GeoEnergy
Coordinating Unit	Earth Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	SACE stage 2 Maths Studies, Specialist Maths and Physics
Assessment	Selected practical exercises, including geological mapping exercise, theory exam, in-class quiz

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Simon Holford

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Recognise and describe minerals and sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.
2	Recognise and describe geological structures (faults and folds).
3	Recognise and describe the elements and processes of a petroleum system.
4	Work collaboratively in groups during laboratory sessions to determine solutions for practical acitivities related to the decsription of rocks, geological structures and petroleum systems.
5	Explain and apply the use of seismic reflection data and wireline logging and other technologies in petroleum exploration.
6	Explain the scope of the upstream petroleum industry.
7	Apply knowledge of geology and petroleum systems to complete group and individual work.

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia . The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-7
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-5, 7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1-7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	4,6,7
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	6
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4,6,7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Hand lenses and compasses will be loaned (with a $50 deposit to be paid that will be repaid on return of the equipment at the end of the course) to students who do not own them for practical and field classes. Please bring pencils, coloured pencils, an eraser, a ruler and a calculator to all lectures and practical classes.

Recommended Resources

‘Earth Portrait of a Planet’; 6th Edition
By Stephen Marshak; published by W.W. Norton

‘Petroleum Geoscience’
By Jon Gluyas and Richard Swarbrick; published by Blackwell

Online Learning

Lectures and practicals will be available on MyUni (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/)

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course provides an introduction to the specialist areas taught and researched at the Australian School of Petroleum and Energy Resources. Weekly lectures are supported by problem-solving practical sessions, developing material covered in lectures. Weekly guest lectures provide an insight into different aspects of the petroleum and energy resources industries. During the course, we hope to have fun, to welcome you to the school that will be your home for your petroleum engineering degree and to imbue you with our enthusiasm for analysing the earth’s subsurface and advancing the exploration for and development of petroleum accumulations.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

There are three lectures (50 minutes each) and one practical session (1 hour 40 mins) per week.

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Lecture Practical
Week 1	Minerals Igneous Rocks	Mineral Identification
Week 2	Igneous Rocks Sedimentary Rocks	Igneous Rocks
Week 3	Metamorphic Rocks Weathering	Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks
Week 4	Stratigraphy & Geological Time Earthquakes and Earthquake Damage	Rock and Mineral Identification Quiz
Week 5	Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior Deformation of Rocks	Porosity Analysis
Week 6	Plate Tectonics Introduction to Petroleum Geology (Terms and Concepts)	Geological Maps and Cross-Sections
Week 7	The Petroleum System & Chemistry of Petroleum Sedimentary basins
Week 8	Hydrocarbon Traps Field camp preparation Fleurieu Peninsula Field Camp. Depart from University early Sat; overnight on Fleurieu Peninsula; return ~5pm Sun	Hydrocarbon Traps
Week 9	Generation and Migration of Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbon Reservoir Rocks and Reservoir Properties I	Field Camp Follow-Up Work
Week 10	Hydrocarbon Reservoir Rocks and Reservoir Properties II Seals & Traps	Field Camp Follow-Up Work
Week 11	Seismic Reflection Surveying Drilling	Seismic Interpretation and Mapping 1
Week 12	Logging Exploration Case Study: Cooper-Eromanga Basins	Seismic Interpretation and Mapping 2

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Rock and Mineral ID Test	10	Individual	Formative	Week 5	Min 40%	1. 4.
Assessed practicals	4 x 10	Individual	Formative / Summative	Weeks 9, 10, 12, 13		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Industry lecture participation	10	Individual	Formative / Summative	Week 1-12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Open book exam	40	Individual	Formative	Exam period		1. 2. 3. 5. 6.
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Related Requirements

You will be advised of the dates and times of practical tests through MyUni at least two weeks in advance of the date of the test.

Alternative test dates for students who cannot be present on the date of the test on medical and compassionate grounds can be requested through the Course Coordinator.

Assessment Detail

The course will be assessed with a weighting of 40% on selected practical and field class reports and 60% based on the results of the final exam.

Submission

Submission of Work for Assessment
Practical and field class exercises should be submitted in hardcopy with a completed copy of the assessment coversheet that is available from the school office. This should be signed to indicate you have read the above university policy statement on plagiarism, collusion and related forms of cheating.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time.

Penalty for Late Submission of Assessment Tasks
Assessment tasks must be submitted by the stated deadlines. There will be a penalty for late submission of assessment tasks. The submitted work will be marked ‘without prejudice’ and 10% of the obtained mark will be deducted for each working day (or part of a day) that an assessment task is late, up to a maximum penalty of 50% of the mark attained. An examiner may elect not to accept any assessment task that a student wants to submit after that task has been marked and feedback provided to the rest of the class.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

Provision of Feedback to Students
Exercises will be returned to students within two weeks of their submission.

Communication
It is important that all students maintain active communication channels throughout the year. The primary communication channels to students in this course are as follows.

MyUni: Students should regularly check the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

Email: Each student should regularly check his or her University-provided email account (firstname.lastname@student.adelaide.edu.au) for information from members of the academic staff concerning course work matters and other announcements as they arise. Make sure you clean up your Inbox regularly as if it is full you will not receive our email! We will regard an email message being sent to your student email address or an announcement posted on the MyUni site as our having communicated with each member of the class. Not reading one’s University provided email or MyUni announcements will not be a valid excuse for missing important deadlines etc.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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