THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

NOVEMBER EXAMINATIONS, 2009

GEOS3321 FUNDAMENTALS OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGY

TIME ALLOWED: 2 HOURS

SECTION B
Long Answer Questions

Suggested time for SECTION B is 80 minutes,

SECTION B IS DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS (A, BAND C ), A TOTAL OF FOUR (4) QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED ANSWER ONE QUESTION (1) FROM EACH OF PARTS A AND B ,ANSWER TWO(2) QUESTIONS FROM PART C, ALL QUESTIONS ARE OF EQUAL VALUE, PLACE ANSWERS FOR PARTS A, B & C IN THREE (3) SEPARATE ANSWER BOOKS, A TOTAL OF THREE ANSWER BOOKS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED, CANDIDATES MAY BRING: DRAWING INSTRUMENTS, THIS PART OF THE PAPER MAY BE RETAINED BY CANDIDATES.

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PART A FUNDAMENTAlS OF GEOLOGY Answer ONE (1) questions from PART A. Use a separate answer book for PART A. QUESTION 1. (25 marks)

Provide an explanatory note for THREE (3) of the following. Use diagrams where appropriate.

a) The use of fossils for correlation of rock sequences across a region; b) Discuss the differences between destructive and constructive plate boundaries with examples from around the Earth;
c) The use of isotopes to construct an absolute time scale;

d)

The principles of superposition, inclusion and original horizontality to determine the order of geological events.

QUESTION 2.

(25 marks)

a}

Discuss how the silica structure of feldspar and quartz differ and control the

cleavage.
b) Outline the differences between regional, shock and contact metamorphism. With the aid of a diagram, briefly describe Bowen's reaction series and its application to predicting the sequence of mineral crystallisation from magma.
(25 marks)

c)

QUESTION 3.

Draw annotated diagrams or write brief notes to answer THREE (3) of the following:

a) Illustrate the difference between a disconformity and angular unconformity and discuss the cause of the difference between these surfaces; b) Illustrate a symmetrical, plunging anticline; an asymmetrical, non-plunging syncline and a horizontal monocline;
c) Use diagrams to illustrate: 1) the net slip on an oblique slip fault; and 2) the difference between dextral and sinistral strike-slip faults; d) Detail the features contained in the legend of a geological map.

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PARTB COAL GEOLOGY Answer ONE (1) question from PART B. Use a separate answer book for PART B. QUESTION 4. Provide an extended discussion of TWO (2) of the following: a) The processes of formation of coal seams, including the distinction between the concepts of coal rank, coal type and coal grade, and the properties associated with each of these aspects; (25 marks)

b)

The different types of organic components (macerals) that may occur in coal,
including their appearance under the microscope or in hand specimen and the processes associated with their formation

c)

The possible forms in which sulphur may occur in coal, and the economic and environmental significance of sulphur or its forms with respect to coal mining, storage and use.

QUESTION 5. Write brief notes on TWO of the following: a)

(25 marks)

The properties of a coal that may be of significance (Le. the importance of different coal quality parameters) in assessing the potential for use of a given coal EITHER as a combustion fuel OR for production of coke for iron and steel production;

b)

The geological techniques that may be used to evaluate the extent of a coai deposit. the quality of the coal resources and the geologicai factors that may affect the design, safety and impact of the resulting mining operation;

c)

The distinction between "Measured", "Indicated" and "Inferred"; "In-situ", "Recoverable" and "Marketable"; and "Resources" and "Reserves", in the evaluation of Australian coal deposits.

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PARTe PETROLEUM GEOLOGY Answer TWO (2) questions from PART C. Use a separate answer book for PART C. QUESTION 6. (25 marks)

With the aid of diagrams describe the processes responsible for the generation of biogenic petroleum in sedimentary successions, with special reference to: a) The different types of sedimentary organic matter (kerogen types or macerals) from which hydrocarbons might be derived;

b)

The kerogen types that are more likely to generate oil and those that are more likely to generate gas;

c)

The types of indicators (such as the colour or reflectance of particular components) that may be used to indicate the level of maturation reached by a potential petroleum source rock

d)

The critical levels of maturation, as shown by such indicators, that define the ranges over which oil and gas are generated (i.e. the boundaries of the oil and gas windows). (25 marks)

QUESTION 7. Answer TWO of the following: a)

With the aid of diagrams (preferably cross-sections plus structure contour maps of the upper reservoir surface) describe at least five possible threedimensional combinations of reservoir rock and seal that may be associated with hydrocarbon accumulation. Include in your answer at least two different types of structural traps, at least two different types of slratigraphic traps, and at least one other type of trap (e.g. combination trap; hydrodynamic trap);

b)

With the aid of maps and other diagrams briefiy describe the location, geological setting (stratigraphy and overall structure), hydrocarbon source and general oil or gas habitat for at least one Australian petroleum basin;

c)

Outline the processes of formation, mode of occurrence, methods of testing and procedure for recovery of methane in coal seams. Include in your answer a brief summary of the key differences between coal-bed methane and conventional gas deposits.

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QUESTION 8

(25

marks) Write brief notes on THREE of the foliowing: a) The different geological and geophysical techniques that may be used in the exploration and assessment of petroleum deposits, and the factors involved in the evaluation of petroleum (especially oil) resources and reserves; The distinction between primary and secondary porosity, and the different types of primary and secondary porosity that may occur in petroleum reservoir rocks; The types of information provided by Rock Eva' pyrolysis testing of potential petroleum source rocks;
The various sorts of traps (unconformity, palaeogeomorphic & true

b)

c)

d)

stratigraphic) dependent on the presence of buried hills during basinal subsidence and marine transgression.

End of Section B