See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316148824

Course Book of Petroleum Geology of the Middle

East

Method April 2017

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14542.25922

CITATIONS READS

0 81

1 author:

Rzger A. Abdula
Soran University
25 PUBLICATIONS 27 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Efficiency of Oil and Gas Generation of Paleozoic Formations in Nazdur Area, Iraqi Kurdistan View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Rzger A. Abdula on 16 April 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research

Department of Petroleum Geoscience

College of Science

Soran University

Petroleum Geology of the Middle East

4th year

Rzger Abdulkarim Abdula

2016/2017

Course Book

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
1. Course name
2. Lecturer in charge
3. Department/ Faculty
4. Contact
5. Time (in hours) per week
6. Office hours
7. Course code
8. Teacher's academic profile
Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation
Petroleum Geology of the Middle East
Rzger Abdulkarim Abdula
Petroleum Geoscience Department, Faculty of Science
e-mail: rzger.abdula@soran.edu.iq
Tel: 0750 433 5485
Theory: 2 hours
2 hours
PGE 401
Scientific Degree
2012-Present: Assistant Lecture, Soran University, Erbil
Research Interest
Organic Geochemistry
Published Papers
- Abdula, R.A., 2017, Crude oil geochemistry assembled on
biomarker distributions in the northern Mesopotamian
Basin, Iraq: review, Oil and Gas Journal. (In press)
- Abdula, R.A., 2017, Petroleum System Modeling of Jabal
Kand Oil Field, Northern Iraq, ZANCO Journal of Pure and
Applied Sciences. (In press)
- Abdula, R.A., Ali, M.A., Ahamad, M.M., and Hamad,
H.R., 2017, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis Results from the Bijeel 1
Well, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, ZANCO Journal of Pure and
Applied Sciences. (In press)
- Abdula, R.A., 2017, Source Rock Assessment of
Naokelekan Formation in Iraqi Kurdistan, Journal of
Zankoy Sulaimani, v. 19, No. 1. (In press)
- Abdula, R.A., 2016, Organic Geochemical Assessment of
Jurassic Potential source Rock from Zab-1 Well, Iraqi
Kurdistan, Iraqi Bulletin of Geology and Mining, v. 12, No.
3, pp. 53-64.
- Abdula, R.A, 2016, Stratigraphy and Lithology of
Naokelekan Formation in Iraqi Kurdistan-Review, IJES, v.
5, issue 2, version 2, pp. 7-17.
- Abdula, R.A., 2016, Geothermal Gradients in Iraqi
Kurdistan Deduced from Bottom Hole Temperatures,
Egyptian Journal of Petroleum, DOI
10.1016j.ejpe.2016.08.007
- Abdula, R.A and R. Khailani, 2016, Shiranish Formation
in Garota (Shaqlawa, Northern Iraq) as Raw Material for
Portland Cement Manufacturing, Iraqi Bulletin of Geology
and Mining, v. 12, No. 1, pp. 65-72.
- Balaky, S., Abdula, R., and Perot, E., 2016, Facies
Analysis and Depositional Environment of Garagu
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
Formation (Valanginian-Hauterivian) in Gara Mountain,
Gali Garagu, Sarsang District, Iraqi Kurdistan Region,
Journal of Zankoy Sulaimani, Special issue, GeoKurdistan
II, pp. 51-68.
- Abdula, R.A., 2015, Hydrocarbon Potential of Sargelu
Formation and Oil-Source Correlation, Iraqi Kurdistan:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences, v. 8, issue 8, pp. 5845-
5868.
- Abdula, R.A, Balaky, S.M. Nourmohamadi, M.S. and
Peroui, M., 2015, Microfacies Analysis and Depositional
Environment of the Sargelu Formation (Middle Jurassic)
from Kurdistan Region, Northern Iraq, Donnish Journal of
Geology and Mining Research, v. 1, no. 1, pp. 001-026.
- Abdula, R., 2014, Heavy oil in Iraq, Wuza, Annually
magazine for Petroleum Studies, Erbil-Iraq, v. 1, pp. 67-74.
(in Kurdish)
- Abdula, R., 1989, Carbon-14 and its usage in
Archaeology, Roshinbiry Nuwea, Iraqi Quarterly Magazine
for Studies and Researches, Baghdad-Iraq, v. 122, pp.129-
132. (in Kurdish)
Participation in Conferences
- Joint Meeting TSOP-AASP-ICCP, Houston, USA, 18-
24/9/2016
- 2nd GeoKurdistan scientific conference, Sulaimani, Iraq,
6-8/10/2015
- 3rd International Conference on Iraqi Oil Studies,
Baghdad, Iraq, 24-26/12/2013
- Kurdistan Institute for Strategic Studies and Scientific
Research, Sulaimani, Iraq, 16-18/4/2013
- 1st GeoKurdistan scientific conference, Sulaimani, Iraq,
10-13/12/2013
- Halgurd Sakran National Park, Roadmap workshop,
Soran, Iraq, 24-26/8/2012
- 2nd International Conference on Iraqi Oil Studies,
Baghdad, Iraq, 20-22/12/2011
- 2nd scientific conference of Kurdistan Geological society,
Sulaimani, Iraq, 6-8/5/1995
- 1st scientific conference of Kurdistan Geological society,
Erbil, Iraq, 6-8/11/1994
- 2nd Students scientific conference of Science College,
Erbil, Iraq, 19-20/12/1986
- 1st students scientific conference of Salahaddin

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
University, Erbil, Iraq, 27-29/3/1985
- 1st students scientific conference of Science College,
Erbil, Iraq, 16-17/3/1985

9. Keywords Rzger Abdula, Soran University, Petroleum Geosciences

10. Course overview:
The importance of studying the subject
The world-wide mandate for hydrocarbons is enormous, with the world consuming over 80
million barrels a day. Recognized world oil reserves are just over 1400 billion barrels,
which means that we have just over 45 years of known oil to produce at current rates. But
demand is expected to increase as developing countries industrialize, so the challenge is to
find more oil and gas to meet this insatiable demand.
Understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course
Familiarizing the main geological factors governing petroleum generation and
accumulation.
Presents source rocks, primary and secondary migration and sealing conditions.
Delivers viewpoint on variable geological histories, basin configurations and economic
considerations.
Principles and theories of the course
This course is an outline of the principles and topics in Petroleum Geology.
It reviews the classical geological functions including the role of the time and temperature.
It assesses the traditional geological theories and concepts of existing, distribution, and
reserves of oil and gas in the region.
A sound knowledge of the major areas of the subject
Students examine the challenges embodied in various aspects of Petroleum Geology and
principles of exploring and controlling petroleum occurrences.
Sufficient knowledge and understanding to secure employment
Most of the superior employers of geosciences like to see that an eventual employee or
junior is talented of doing graduate-level work and capable of completing a project that is
presented in written form (like a thesis). Therefore each student will be asked to write a
report and prepare PowerPoint presentation by the end of the course.
11. Course objective:
Familiarize the students with principles of petroleum geology.
Develop an understanding of the importance of geosciences to petroleum.
Learn where and how to find hydrocarbons.
Introduce the students to the basic reservoir properties of porosity, permeability, saturations
and pressure.
Introduce the students to the key oil and gas exploration methods. Students should be able
to point out and interpret the geological features explained in the class room, through
examples and field trips.
Introduce the students to subsurface reservoir properties.
Students will explore the techniques employed to interpret the geophysical, geological and
geochemical data collected.
Learn more about the petroleum provinces in the Middle East
12. Student's obligation:
Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If a student misses 10 % or more
classes he will receive Fail or Second Term Attempt for the course.

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
Students are not allowed to enter the classroom after the instructor.
If someone leaves the classroom during the lecture, quizzes or exams for any reason
would be not allowed to come back.
The students will be asked to leave the classroom if she/he talks without permission
or sleep during the lecture.
They are responsible about attending all classes, quizzes, and exams. No exception.
There will be no make-up quizzes or exams unless they have a very valid reason
approved by the instructor.
It shall be the general policy for this course that all work shall be graded on the basis
of answers only partial credit, if given, is given solely at the discretion of the
instructor.
All grading shall be done by the instructor, or under his direction and supervision,
and the decision of the instructor is final.
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.
13. Forms of teaching:
In the process of learning it is impossible to learn any concrete issue by using only one
method. The teacher will use different methods during the teaching process; also a
combination of methods is frequently will be used and include:
PowerPoint
Blackboard
Handouts
Preparing reports by students
Preparing PowerPoint by students
Discussions and Debates
14. Assessment scheme:
Attendance and Class Participation 5%
In Class Quizzes 4%
Mid Term Exams 21% (3 Exams)
Reports with PowerPoint (10%)
Final Exam 60%
15. Student learning outcome:
Understand the basic geological exploration methods and how they complement each other.
Appreciate the importance of regional geology for good petroleum geological purposes.
Recognize the important source rock, reservoir rock, cap rock throughout the Middle East
Correlate all formations to determine formations continuity throughout the region.
Interpret structural and stratigraphic elements in seismic sections.
Calculate the initial, reserve and remaining hydrocarbons in the reservoir.
Recognize the main petroleum provinces in Middle east.
Understand the basic geological exploration aspects and gain the requirements to carry on
further petroleum studies.
16. Course Reading List and References:
Alsharhan, A.S., Nairn, A.E.M., 2003, Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum Geology of the
Middle East: Elsevier Science B.V., Netherlands, 843 p.
Aqrawi, A.A.M., A.D. Horbury, J.C. Goff, and F.N. Sadooni, 2010, The petroleum
geology of Iraq: Scientific Press Ltd., UK, 604p.
Beydoun, Z.R., 1986, The petroleum resources of the Middle East-a review, Journal of
Petroleum Geology, v. 9, no. 1, pp. 5-28.
Murris, R.J., 1980, Middle East-stratigraphic evolution and oil habitat: AAPG Bulletin, v.

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
64, no. 5, pp. 597-618.
Handouts, lecture notes, assigned specific chapters and journal papers. Although the
reading material and slides are sufficient for basic understanding, students are expected to
take notes and ask questions in class.
17. The Topics: Lecture Day
Introduction 4/10/2015
Covered Area
History of Petroleum usage
History of exploration 11/10/2015
First Oil Discovery
Current Status of the Middle East 18/10/2015
Surface Oil and Gas Seeps 25/10/2015
Oil seepage in South-West Persia and Turkey
Oil seepage in Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Oil seepage in Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen
Oil seepage in Syria, Lebanan and Jordan
The Relationship of Plate Boundaries and Seepage 1/11/2015
Oil Leakage Time
First Exam 8/11/2015
Geological History of the Middle East
Oil reserves 15/11/2015
Productivity Capacity
Age of the Oil Fields 22/11/2015
Oilfield Distribution
Hydrocarbon richness of the Middle East 29/11/2015
Reasons for oil abundance
Second Exam 6/12/2015
stratigraphic section
Tectonic Activities
Petroleum System of the Middle East 13/12/2015
Source Rocks
Reservoir Rocks 20/12/2015
Cap Rocks 27/12/2015
Traps 3/1/2016
Migration, Accumulation and Preservation 10/1/2016
Third Exam 17/1/2016
Students Presentation
Final Exam 24/1/2016
18. Practical Topics (If there is any)
Not applicable because the course is 16 weeks in which each week N/A
is 2 hours theory and no practical of lab experiments. But the Based on time
instructor will give some homework to improve their skills. availability
19. Examinations (Examples of Different Types of Questions):
1. Compositional:
Question: why so much Oil in the Middle East?
Answer: For petroleum to be successfully generated, migrated, accumulated, and preserved,
all elements and processes of the petroleum system, including organically rich and

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

 Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific research
thermally matured source rocks, porous-permeable reservoir rocks, effective extensive cap
rocks, and appropriate time relations between oil migration and trap formation should be
present. Obviously, the Middle East qualifies all these conditions to a high degree and
quality.
2. True or false type of exams:
Question: all fields discovered in the Middle East associated with surface oil
or gas seeps. These shows indicate the location of hydrocarbon in the
subsurface.
Answer: false because shows are not necessarily good indicators of the
location of the structures from which the hydrocarbons are escaping.
3. Multiple choices:
Question: the only areas with production and potential approaching that of the Middle East are in
the
a- Pricaspian Basin and the West Siberian Basin
b- Pricaspian Basin
c- West Siberian Basin
d- none of them approaching that of the Middle East
Answer: a is the correct answer
20. Extra notes:
Prerequisites and co-requisites
Possessing a good level of Organic Geochemistry, Physical and Historical Geology, Stratigraphy,
sedimentology, Geology of Iraq (Kurdistan) and no co-requisites
21. Peer review
It meets the requirements of the course of which it a part and I have checked the
specification for any errors.
Swar Atroshy
Lecturer

Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation

View publication stats