Reserves

Task 1. Scan the text below for the highlighted words and create a mini-glossary¹ on the topic « Reserves».

Reserves are those quantities of petroleum which are anticipated to be commercially recovered from known accumulations from a given date forward. All reserve estimates involve some degree of uncertainty. The uncertainty depends chiefly on the amount of reliable geologic and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of these data. The relative degree of uncertainty may be conveyed by placing reserves into one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved. Unproved reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves and may be further sub-classified as probable and possible reserves to denote progressively increasing uncertainty in their recoverability.

Task 2. Read the text and choose the best answer.

1. Reserves are….

4. technically and economically recoverable oil and gas

5. the amount of petroleum which are anticipated to be commercially recovered

6. both.

2. All reserve estimates involve

1. some degree of uncertainty

2. some degree

3. some degree of certainty

3. Reserves can be classified as

1. proved and unproved.

5. proved and probable.

6. reliable and probable.

4. Unproved reserves may be sub-divided into

1. recovered and proved

2. probable and possible

3. sub-classified and probable

Task 3. Read the text «Reserves Estimation» and translate it.

Reserves Estimation

Before any production has been obtained, the so-called ‘volumetric estimate of reserves’ is usually made. Geological and geophysical data are combined to obtain a range of contour maps with the help of a planimeter and other tools the hydrocarbon bearing rock volumes can be estimated. From well log petrophysical analysis, estimates of an average porosity and water saturation can be made and when applied to the hydrocarbon rock volume yield an estimate of oil in place (STOIIP). Since it is well known that only a fraction of this oil may in fact be ‘recoverable’, laboratory tests on cores may be carried out to estimate movable oil. The reserve estimate finally arrived at is little more than an educated guess but a very important one for it determines company policy.

Task 4. Webquest. Use the Internet, research one of the topics below and be ready to report back to the group.

1. Oil reserves

2. Estimation techniques for reserves

3. Choose your own topic

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