Module manager: Paul Glover
Email: P.W.J.Glover@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module equips students with the basic tools required to characterise rocks at all depths and spatial scales, in the context of striking a balance between economic growth and environmental safeguarding. The module starts by reinforcing the student’s fundamental geological skills through a one-day fieldtrip, and explores the seismic expression of basin-scale structural geology. Thereafter, the student will receive training in the quantitative petrophysical analysis of rocks at a well-log to microscopic scale. The module provides a grounding in quantitative and qualitative judgement of earth science related data that will provide background context for extending into the individual research project.
The aim of this module is to learn the fundamentals of geological and petrophysical analysis required to characterise subsurface formations, from basin to microscopic scale. This knowledge is essential for a range of subsurface applications: examples include potential opportunities for storing waste CO2, sustainable resource development, or the formations that may be developed during near-surface engineering projects
The objectives of the module include:
1. Provision of fundamental geological skills, relevant to geological field work, and how rock composition influences geophysical properties The learning activity for this part of the module is a field trip which examines surface exposures.
2. Relating field-scale observations to basin-scale structural geology. The learning activity for this objective is the qualitative analysis of seismic data.
3. Deliver the technical know-how for interpreting the physical properties of rocks at depth through core measurements and well-logs. This objective is delivered through multiple learning activities, including focussed lectures, video material, and two comprehensive practical exercises.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
SSLO1: Perform elementary geological recording and analysis.
SSLO2: Develop fundamental geological skills for analysing subsurface geology (geological cycle, stratigraphy, earth structure, maps and structure, sediments, and sedimentary environments).
SSLO3: Assess the controls and limitations placed on the development of geological basins by large scale processes (e.g., plate tectonics, deposition) and local processes (e.g., fracturing, diagenesis, cementation).
SSLO4: Derive and use physical properties of subsurface reservoirs at all scales from hand samples, cores, chippings, and wireline data, accounting for heterogeneity, anisotropy and uncertainty.
SSLO5: Appraise petrophysical wireline data to assess the resources and storage potential of reservoirs and their fluid content.
SSLO6: Design an effective means of communicating geological and petrophysical insight to a technical audience, reporting to credible professional standards.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes, which taken together deliver a work-ready student.
SKLO1: Academic - engage in geological, stratigraphic, and structural assessment of subsurface resources at a range of scales.
SKLO2: Problem solving - understand and use petrophysical well-logs and core analysis to quantify the properties of subsurface formations.
SKLO3: Enterprise and Commercial Awareness - carry out value assessments of resources based upon their economic value and potential for social growth.
SKLO4: Sustainability and decision making - carry out value assessments of resources based upon their environmental value and vulnerability.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Lecture | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Lecture | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| Practical | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Private study hours | 108 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
1. Oral feedback, during fieldwork
2. Oral feedback on formative petrophysical practical
3. Oral feedback during the non-assessed practicals on geological interpretation of seismic data (over 2-3 weeks)
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The alternative resit version of the assessment for the second piece of coursework will be lighter (because it will be done individually), involving a similar analysis using the same data but for a different target. Consequently, it is of the same difficulty but involves new decisions and calculations.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 29/04/2025
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