modules

Energy is one of humanity’s most important resources, yet at the same time one of the largest causes of environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Our continuous need to find new energy resources requires geologists to locate and produce them, but also to try to influence Government policy decisions on energy resources. This module will provide you with a framework to understand the main geological energy resources including oil, gas, coal, unconventional (e.g. shale gas), uranium and critical metals for the renewables industry. In lectures, we will explore the stratigraphic, biological and depositional settings of fossil fuel origins; we will consider the stages required in the exploration for and production of these resources with a geological focus on hydrocarbons and also consider the differing environmental impacts of these resources. In practicals you will gain hands-on experience of the relevant techniques used for interpreting organic geochemistry, petrophysical logs, seismic profiles, constructing stratigraphy and correlation.

You must have previously studied Stratigraphy and Palaeontology (CSM1035 ), Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (CSM2183 ) and Structural Geology (CSM2182 ) in order to undertake this module. It is therefore unsuitable for non-specialist students and is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways, unless the pre-requisite modules have been studied.

_{Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.}