This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the historical, economic, and scientific context of modern energy exploration and production. It looks at global economic interdependencies in the energy sector, and explains the science of petroleum geology.
We will work to answer some big questions, like these:
- How do oil and gas influence world politics and economies?
- In what countries and regions are various hydrocarbons being produced and used?
- Why is energy so important to everyone?
- Where did hydrocarbons come from and how do we know where they are now?
After addressing these questions and many others, we will conclude with a look at the development of regulations, and the processes of leasing and permitting, setting the stage for the drilling and completion operations that will be covered in Petroleum Engineering & Technology.
Course Content
Images: “Earth at Night” by NASA