Course Content
These objectives will be achieved by going step by step through the evaluation, interpretation, and integration of Eagle Ford source rock and oil geochemical data as well as the hydrocarbon generation modeling for an Eagle Ford case history from the First Shot field, Texas. The content of this case history is summarized below:
Total organic carbon, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and vitrinite reflectance analyses performed on Eagle Ford Group core and cuttings samples from the First Shot field area, Texas demonstrate these samples have sufficient quantity, quality, and maturity of organic matter to have generated oil. Furthermore, gas chromatography and biomarker analyses performed on Eagle Ford Group oils and source rock extracts as well as weight percent sulfur analyses on the oils indicate the source rock facies for most of the oils are fairly similar. Specifically, these Eagle Ford source rock facies vary in lithology from shales to marls, contain elevated levels of sulfur at lower thermal maturities, and were deposited in a marine environment under anoxic conditions. It is these First Shot Eagle Ford source facies that have generated the oils in the First Shot field. That is, most of the First Shot oils appear to have been generated locally and have not migrated into the area from long distances. However, in contrast to the generally similar source rock facies and organic matter, Eagle Ford thermal maturity varies from the early oil window to the late oil window in the study area, and these maturity variations have had a pronounced effect on both the source rock and oil characteristics. Overall, this study suggests there may be more local variations in Eagle Ford thermal maturity than have previously been recognized. Such local variations can impact Eagle Ford economics and whether the Eagle Ford will produce mostly oil or condensate and wet gas.
Each e-symposium consists of one-hour live e-symposium, along with material for one full day of independent study. The live portion will be followed by a full day of independent study (not a live event). The one-hour live e-symposium can be accessed from any computer anywhere in the world using a high-speed internet connection. After the event is over, you will receive via email information about accessing the asynchronous segment (not live) which consists of your independent study materials, to be accessed and studied at any time. You will be able to email responses to the readings, along with your study question answers for CEU credit (if you sign up for the extended package).