Preparing Geology Students for Careers in the “New” Energy Industry
Todd A. Dallegge and William H. Hoyt, CPG-7015
total energy produced. Global energy production expresses similar trends in recent years. The carbon based economy is still overwhelmingly carbon based!
Introduction
The geologist’s role in the energy industry has evolved considerably over the past two decades with heavy emphasis on interdisciplinary knowledge, collaboration and commu- nication. However, core classes in science and geology are still absolutely vital to a successful career in the industry. This article emphasizes the needs of the petroleum industry but most of these observations and principles apply to all energy industries (the newer ones are commonly referred to as “alternative”). The petroleum industry’s transition from conventional geologic exploration and development techniques to resource-based unconventional development has changed how we function as geologists. Understanding the total petroleum system from maturation, migration, trap timing, reservoir quality, and aerial extent is “old hat” but still critical in undeveloped corners of the globe.
Here in the United States, the way we evaluate resources has changed dramatically. What was bypassed historically as tight reservoirs with low flow rates and ultimately uneconomic is now the “new” industry due to advancements in drilling and completion technologies. These new engineering technologies have opened up hundreds of new targets and play concepts requiring today’s geologists to be more versed in engineering principles and techniques. Collaborative, interdisciplinary work environments are now the norm which creates an empha- sis on communication skills and group-based project work. With all these new concepts, large volumes of digital data are readily at the hands of the geologist. Best practices with data management and a working knowledge of software are vital to the geologist’s ability to synthesize and incorporate these data. The advancements in drilling and completion techniques bring more public awareness and focus on the fossil fuel industry from advocacy groups so today’s geologists are also promoters for that energy sector at work, on the street, in the class or living room. The fact is, fossil fuels currently comprise ~80% of energy used on Earth, and that will continue for some time as the economy and population growth continue.
For the United States, the recent upsurge in unconven- tional production of oil and gas and the downturn in nuclear production can be seen in Figure 1. Energy generated from total renewables has been approximately flat over the last five years in the United States, as measured as a percent of
As well, geologists need to be versed in the social, health, and economic impacts of drilling and development; moreover, those impacts caused by nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, geother- mal, ocean thermal energy conversion, tidal, ocean currents, wave, solar, biomass, geothermal, and other emerging strate- gies for energy generation require that geoscientists be versed in a whole new set of emerging energy production industries. These mineral and natural resource-needy strategies are the frontier areas for some of the geologists currently training in universities. We think it is fair to say that impacts of alterna- tive energy strategies are not discussed much in traditional geoscience courses in the United States, with the possible exception of nuclear energy. That needs to change to prepare geoscientists for their future careers.
Suburban sprawl continues to interact with historic produc- ing areas which are now active with renewed unconventional activity. Today’s geologists are reducing the surface impacts of fossil fuel development by drilling multi-well pads and reaching more reserves with fewer wellbores by drilling hori- zontally. It is worth pointing out that none of these energy- producing strategies sail through the permitting process without opposition and complete state and federal oversight and regulation. The United States population clearly demands energy to run the economy and our high-tech lives, but please don’t put those impacts in “my back yard!”
As commodity prices rise and fall so do the bottom lines for energy companies. Geologists play a vital role in determining resource extent, recovery, production, and economics of future development. While many core interpretation principles still apply to today’s geologist, students with desires to enter this
Figure 1. United States energy production by source, as measured by BTUs produced and normalized as heating value index (data from The Monthly Energy Review, 2015).
www.aipg.org
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56