73249 - "Engineering of Energetic Raw Materials "

Learning outcomes

The Course is addressed to provide the basic knowledge of energetic raw materials engineering, with special reference to oil and gas exploration, drilling, production and hydrocarbon transportation engineering. These topics represent strategic elements of World energy supply security. The Course is completed with an introduction to the study of project management and engineering phases of the petroleum industry.

Course contents

Origin of hydrocarbons: crude oil and natural gas. Fundamentals of petroleum geology and geophysical exploration. Permitting of oil and gas leases in Italy. Overview of rotary drilling engineering.

Introduction to the study of natural porous media. Porosity, permeability, saturation, multi-phase flow. Capillary pressure and reservoir distribution of petroleum fluids. Laboratory measurements and lab practice. Thermodynamic classification of hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbon reserves and evaluation of hydrocarbons in place (some hints to volumetric and dynamic methods).

Well logging: generalities on hydrocarbon reserves evaluation, wireline logging and logging while drilling. Petrophysical parameters and their relationship with physical parameters of reservoir rocks.

Open-hole and cased hole well completion. Tubing and Christmas tree. Well stimulation and hydraulic fracturing techniques. Artificial lift systems: gas-lift, sucker-rod pumps, hydraulic pumps, electrical submersible pumps.

Crude oil and natural gas processing plants: processes and equipments. Dehydration, desulphurization, gasoline removal. Natural gas hydrates formation prevention. Crude stabilization and emulsion treatment.

Hydrocarbon transportation: technical and economical aspects. Fundamentals of liquid and gas flow in pipelines.

Readings/Bibliography

• Encyclopaedia of Hydrocarbons: Volume 1, exploration, production and transport, Treccani 2005.

• Al-Awad Musaed: Petroleum and natural gas engineering overview, VDM 2010.

• P. Macini, E. Mesini: Alla ricerca dell'energia: Metodi di indagine per la valutazione delle georisorse fluide, CLUEB Bologna, 1998.

Teaching methods

The course includes oral lessons in the classroom, possible practical activities in the lab (for restricted groups) and seminars on specific topics of the program. In the classroom, ppt presentation and videos by web.

Assessment methods

Students must sit a written and/or an oral test comprising of a series of questions that aim to ascertain students' understanding of the technological and design principles presented during lectures, and a practical problem similar to the ones dealt with during the practical exercises or laboratory activity related to the course lectures.

The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and/or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and/or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Video projector, PC, overhead projector,traditional blackboard, laboratories.

Office hours

See the website of Ezio Mesini