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EP4015: GEOMECHANICS (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

This course provides students with an understanding of advanced concepts of geomechanics and their application to safe, environmentally friendly and efficient drilling for, and production of, hydrocarbon fluids.  The course has no formal pre-requisites, but is intended for students on the Honours Petroleum Engineering Degree Programme and students will require a strong Engineering, or Physics background (to Level 3), and a good grasp of Engineering Mathematics at Level 3 (or equivalent).

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 10 credits (5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Amer Syed

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course introduces students to advanced topics in geomechanics. The tectonic stress field and the concept of pore fluid pressure are explained. Experimental techniques for the measurement of rock properties and the relationships between the properties, seismic wave velocity and log data are discussed.  Constitutive laws and failure criteria are presented.  Advanced analytical and numerical modelling techniques for characterising the failure envelope of rocks are examined in the context of practical field applications, e.g. wellbore stability, sand production and control, and hydraulic fracture.   Real life case studies are used to support students’ learning.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

lab report (10%)

timed online test (90%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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