Print this pageIndustry and Academic Consortium for Computer Based
Subsurface Geology and Well Log Analysis
Jeffrey A. Nunn1, Alan L. Brown2, and Stephen 
O
. Sears3
1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University,
E235 Howe-Russell Complex, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
2Schlumberger Carbon Services, 14090 SW Frwy., Ste. 300, Sugar Land, Texas 77478
3Department of Petroleum Engineering, Louisiana State University,
3523 Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
ABSTRACT
Licenses for PetrelTM and Interactive PetrophysicsTM software acquired through a grant from Schlumberger are used to redesign portions of Subsurface Geology and Well Log Analysis at Louisiana State University. Integration of industry software into upper level classes is a cooperative effort between LSU’s Geology and Geophysics and Petroleum Engineering Departments and Schlumberger’s Technical Training Division. Limited enrollments and laboratory sections in the redesigned subsurface geology class make it possible to incorporate hands-on visualization, animation, manipulation of data and images, and access to geological data available online. 24/7 access to the laboratory and step-by-step instructions for PetrelTM exercises strongly promoted peer instruction and individual learning. Goals of the course redesign include: enhancing visualization of earth materials; strengthening student’s ability to acquire, manage, and interpret multifaceted subsurface information; fostering critical thinking and the scientific method; improving student communication skills; providing cross training between geologists and engineers; and increasing the quantity, quality, and diversity of students pursuing Earth Science and Petroleum Engineering careers. IT resources available in the laboratory provide students with sophisticated visualization tools, allowing them to switch between 2D and 3D reconstructions more seamlessly, and enabling them to manipulate larger integrated data-sets, thus permitting more time for critical thinking and hypothesis testing. IT resources also enable faculty and students to work simultaneously with the software to interrogate visually a 3D dataset and immediately test hypotheses formulated in class. Preliminary evaluation of class results indicates that students found Microsoft® Windows®–based PetrelTM and Interactive PetrophysicsTM easy to learn. By the end of the semester, students were able not only to map horizons and faults using seismic and well data but also compute volumetrics. Exam results indicated that while students could complete sophisticated exercises using the software, their understanding of key concepts such as conservation of volume in a palinspastic reconstruction or association of structures with a particular stress regime was limited. Future classes will incorporate more paper and pencil exercises to illustrate basic concepts. Interactive PetrophysicsTM log interpretation software has been incorporated into the well logging course taught in the Petroleum Engineering Department. While most of the course focuses on petrophysical models and tool selection, exercises utilizing Interactive PetrophysicsTM have been assigned to give students an awareness of computerized log interpretation as widely practiced in industry today.
Nunn, J. A., A. L. Brown, and S. O
. Sears, 2009, Industry and academic consortium for computer based subsurface geology and
well log analysis: Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, v. 59, p. 553-561.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90093 © 2009 GCAGS 59th Annual Meeting, Shreveport, Louisiana