ICTQual AB Level 5 International Diploma in Petroleum Geoscience

Year 1 – Foundation in Petroleum Geoscience

Introduction to Petroleum Geoscience

• Understand the scope and significance of petroleum geoscience in global energy development.
• Identify key processes involved in hydrocarbon formation, migration, and trapping.
• Recognise major exploration and production activities in the petroleum industry.
• Evaluate different career pathways and applications of geoscience across the energy sector.
• Appreciate the role of petroleum geoscience in addressing global energy challenges.

Fundamentals of Geology and Earth Sciences

• Demonstrate knowledge of Earth’s structure, geological time scale, and plate tectonics.
• Classify rocks and minerals based on physical, chemical, and optical properties.
• Apply geological mapping, field observation, and sampling techniques.
• Interpret fundamental geologic processes such as volcanism, weathering, and erosion.
• Relate Earth science concepts to petroleum exploration and resource evaluation.

Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

• Explain sedimentary processes, depositional environments, and facies models.
• Analyse stratigraphic successions to reconstruct past environments.
• Interpret lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data for petroleum applications.
• Apply principles of correlation and sequence stratigraphy in basin analysis.
• Assess stratigraphic traps relevant to petroleum accumulation.

Basics of Structural Geology

• Identify folds, faults, fractures, and joints in geological formations.
• Apply stress and strain concepts to rock deformation analysis.
• Construct cross-sections and structural maps for petroleum exploration.
• Evaluate structural features relevant to hydrocarbon trapping.
• Relate tectonic activity to basin development and petroleum systems.

Introduction to Geophysics and Seismic Methods

• Understand the principles of geophysical exploration techniques.
• Explain seismic reflection and refraction methods and their applications.
• Interpret basic seismic data for subsurface imaging.
• Recognise the advantages and limitations of geophysical surveys.
• Relate geophysical data to geological and reservoir interpretation.

Petroleum Geology: Source, Reservoir, and Seal Rocks

• Describe the properties and roles of source, reservoir, and seal rocks.
• Understand hydrocarbon generation, maturation, and migration processes.
• Analyse the effectiveness of seals in petroleum trapping.
• Integrate geological data to evaluate petroleum system elements.
• Apply petroleum system concepts to exploration case studies.

Basin Analysis and Petroleum Systems

• Classify different types of sedimentary basins and their tectonic settings.
• Analyse basin evolution and subsidence history.
• Evaluate petroleum system components within a basin.
• Integrate seismic, stratigraphic, and structural data in basin analysis.
• Assess exploration potential of basins through risk and uncertainty analysis.

Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering

• Understand porosity, permeability, and fluid properties in reservoirs.
• Explain concepts of primary, secondary, and enhanced recovery methods.
• Perform basic reservoir calculations including hydrocarbon in place.
• Assess production performance using simple reservoir models.
• Recognise the link between reservoir engineering and field development planning.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Practices in the Energy Sector

• Demonstrate knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Identify hazards and assess risks associated with petroleum operations.
• Apply safety measures and emergency response procedures.
• Evaluate environmental impacts of exploration and production activities.
• Promote sustainable practices within the petroleum sector.

Mathematics and Physics for Geoscience

• Apply algebra, calculus, and statistics to petroleum geoscience problems.
• Use mechanics, thermodynamics, and wave theory to explain geological phenomena.
• Perform quantitative calculations for exploration and reservoir studies.
• Interpret geoscience datasets using mathematical models.
• Develop analytical problem-solving skills in petroleum geoscience.

Laboratory Techniques in Geological and Petroleum Studies

• Conduct laboratory tests on rocks, minerals, and fluids.
• Use petrographic microscopes, core samples, and geochemical equipment.
• Record and interpret laboratory data for geological studies.
• Relate laboratory results to field exploration and production scenarios.
• Develop competency in safe laboratory practices and procedures.

Academic and Research Skills for Geoscience

• Develop academic writing, referencing, and presentation skills.
• Conduct literature reviews using credible scientific sources.
• Design small-scale research projects with defined aims and methods.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret data for research purposes.
• Present findings effectively through reports and oral communication.

Year 2 – Advanced Petroleum Exploration and Applications

Advanced Seismic Interpretation and Reservoir Characterisation

• Interpret 2D and 3D seismic data for structural and stratigraphic mapping.
• Identify key seismic attributes and their role in reservoir analysis.
• Integrate seismic and geological data for reservoir characterisation.
• Evaluate uncertainty in seismic interpretation.
• Apply seismic interpretation techniques to case studies.

Petrophysics and Well Logging Analysis

• Understand principles of well logging tools and measurements.
• Interpret log data to evaluate porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation.
• Integrate log analysis with core and seismic data.
• Assess reservoir properties using petrophysical methods.
• Apply petrophysical evaluation in exploration and production.

Exploration Geophysics and Prospect Evaluation

• Apply gravity, magnetic, and electromagnetic methods in petroleum exploration.
• Integrate multiple geophysical datasets for prospect assessment.
• Evaluate the geological risk of exploration prospects.
• Assess the commercial viability of identified prospects.
• Develop decision-making strategies based on geophysical data.

Drilling Technology and Well Planning

• Understand drilling rig types, components, and operations.
• Design well plans considering geological and engineering requirements.
• Apply safety and environmental measures during drilling.
• Evaluate drilling performance and problem-solving strategies.
• Relate drilling technology to exploration and production success.

Reservoir Simulation and Modelling

• Use software tools for reservoir simulation and production modelling.
• Analyse reservoir behaviour under different recovery methods.
• Forecast reservoir performance and hydrocarbon recovery.
• Optimise reservoir management using simulation results.
• Evaluate limitations and uncertainties of reservoir modelling.

Geochemical Methods in Petroleum Exploration

• Apply organic geochemistry for source rock analysis.
• Interpret biomarkers and isotopic data for hydrocarbon correlation.
• Use geochemical techniques to assess hydrocarbon generation potential.
• Integrate geochemical data with geological and geophysical studies.
• Evaluate exploration plays using geochemical evidence.

Energy Economics and Petroleum Project Evaluation

• Understand petroleum project cost structures and financial models.
• Conduct feasibility studies for exploration and development projects.
• Apply risk analysis tools in petroleum project evaluation.
• Assess economic performance using NPV, IRR, and cash flow models.
• Evaluate global market factors influencing petroleum economics.

Digital Technologies in Petroleum Geoscience (GIS & Remote Sensing)

• Apply GIS for mapping and spatial analysis in petroleum exploration.
• Use remote sensing for surface and subsurface geological interpretation.
• Integrate digital datasets for exploration decision-making.
• Apply digital workflows to reservoir characterisation.
• Evaluate the impact of digital technologies on petroleum exploration.

Risk Assessment and Decision-Making in Exploration Projects

• Identify geological, technical, and economic risks in petroleum projects.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative risk analysis methods.
• Evaluate exploration risk and uncertainty using industry tools.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies for exploration projects.
• Make informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty.

Sustainable Energy and the Future of Petroleum Resources

• Understand the challenges of energy transition and sustainability.
• Evaluate petroleum’s role in the global low-carbon economy.
• Analyse strategies for carbon capture and storage.
• Propose solutions for sustainable petroleum resource management.
• Assess the integration of renewable energy with petroleum operations.

Professional Practice, Ethics, and Global Industry Standards

• Demonstrate professional conduct in petroleum geoscience.
• Apply ethical principles in exploration and production practices.
• Understand global standards, codes, and regulations.
• Evaluate case studies of ethical dilemmas in petroleum operations.
• Promote responsible practices in the energy industry.

Independent Research Project in Petroleum Geoscience

• Design and execute an independent, original research project.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret geological and petroleum datasets.
• Apply appropriate research methods and analytical tools.
• Present findings in a structured research report.
• Defend research outcomes through professional presentations.