Detailed Contents

 

Petrophysics is the science of evaluating the physical and chemical properties of rocks and their interactions with fluids. In the context of geothermal energy, petrophysics plays a crucial role in the exploration, assessment, and development of geothermal reservoirs.

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Key Petrophysical Properties in Geothermal Systems:

Porosity: Indicates the rock’s capacity to store fluids (e.g., water or steam). High porosity is essential for effective heat transfer.

Permeability: Measures the ease with which fluids can flow through rock pores or fractures. It governs the efficiency of fluid extraction and reinjection.

Thermal Conductivity: Describes how well heat is transferred through the rock. It influences the design and sustainability of geothermal systems.

Electrical Resistivity: Helps infer fluid content and temperature; low resistivity often indicates high salinity or temperature.

Acoustic Velocity: Useful for identifying fractures and estimating mechanical properties of the subsurface.

Applications in Geothermal Development:

• Reservoir Characterization: Petrophysical logs and core analysis help map subsurface conditions, define reservoir boundaries and assess viability.
• Drilling Optimization: Understanding rock mechanics and fluid pressures minimizes risk and enhances drilling efficiency.
• Production Forecasting: Accurate models of porosity and permeability enable prediction of long-term performance and sustainability.
• Monitoring and Management: Ongoing logging data can track changes in reservoir properties, ensuring stable heat production.

Challenges in Geothermal Petrophysics:

High temperatures and chemically reactive fluids can affect sensor accuracy and tool durability.

Natural fractures, which often dominate permeability, are difficult to quantify from logs alone.

Lithological heterogeneity requires integrated approaches using seismic, petrophysical, and geological data.

Learn Geothermal Petrophysics with Mark Deakin

Unlock the full potential of geothermal energy with expert-led training from Mark Deakin, one of the world’s foremost authorities in petrophysical education. With a Ph.D. in Integrated Petrophysics from Imperial College London, decades of industry insight (including tenure at Amoco), and over 25 years of global teaching experience with PetroSkills and HOT Engineering, Mark offers an unparalleled opportunity to master petrophysics—tailored specifically for the geothermal sector.

Why Learn Geothermal Petrophysics with Mark Deakin?

Deep Geothermal Relevance: Mark adapts traditional petrophysical principles to the unique thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical challenges of geothermal reservoirs. Whether working with high-enthalpy volcanic systems or low-permeability sedimentary basins, his teaching equips you with practical tools for real-world success.

Integrated, Cross-Disciplinary Thinking: His teaching style emphasizes integration across geoscience, engineering, and data interpretation—ensuring you can handle complex geothermal systems holistically.

Career-Changing Insight: Mark’s courses aren’t just about data—they’re about developing critical thinking skills and decision-making frameworks that stay with you for your entire career.

What You’ll Learn

• Fundamental and advanced petrophysical properties relevant to geothermal systems
• Interpretation of well logs and core data in high-temperature environments
• Evaluation of porosity, permeability, thermal conductivity, and fracture networks
• Petrophysical challenges in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)
• Strategies for fluid-rock interaction analysis and reservoir modelling

Who Should Attend?

• Geoscientists, reservoir engineers, and geothermal project developers
• New professionals seeking to specialize in geothermal petrophysics
• Energy professionals transitioning from oil & gas to sustainable geothermal development.

A Global Learning Opportunity

With thousands of professionals trained across continents, Mark Deakin’s programs are renowned for being technically robust, engaging, and applicable across diverse geothermal settings.

Transform Your Understanding. Advance Your Career.

Learning from Mark Deakin means more than mastering petrophysical theory—it’s about developing the expertise to lead geothermal energy projects confidently and competently.

Join the professionals shaping the future of geothermal energy—learn petrophysics from a true master.

Instructor CV

Dr Mark Deakin is a consultant, author and course instructor in Petrophysical Data Integration. He holds a Ph.D. in ‘Integrated Petrophysics’ from London’s Imperial College, is an ex Amoco petrophysicist and has over 35 years’ experience, including as a course instructor with PetroSkills and HOT Engineering. He has performed over 70 detailed reservoir studies worldwide; primarily in Southeast Asia’s low-contrast pay and carbonate reservoirs. Deakin’s proven approach is to identify and rank reserves uncertainties for operators and investors, then guide operators towards defensible booked reserves via the application of new technology, targeted data acquisition and the systematic, logical integration of all related data. After his PhD Deakin authored the first public Integrated Petrophysics course in 1989 which evolved into IPRC, the industry’s benchmark petrophysics training course. This was followed by courses in Carbonate & Fracture Petrophysics, IPCFR and three day focused modules on Modern Logs and SCAL, Quick Look Techniques, Low Resistivity Pay, Using PetroDB and Renewable Energy (IPSCAL, IPQL, IPLAM, IPPetroDB, REP). The uniquely powerful PetroDB core-log-test cross-linked database is his current technical project. Deakin is an active member of SPWLA and occasional lecturer at Curtin University. His consulting company PETROPHYSICS Pty Ltd has offices in Perth, Australia.

PS: If you love the future of energy you will love this course!