Petroleum Geology Question?

This is something I do routinely almost every day as a petroleum geologist. We are constantly re-examining old data and combining it with new information in our search for new undiscovered and possibly bypassed oil reservoirs. A significant part of the future oil reserves in the US is going to come from this type of detective work. Some major discoveries have resulted from geologists going back and re-examining old well logs.

You have to keep in mind that the information coming from a well represents only one point on a map. Combining the information from that point with well data from a recently drilled well or new 3D siesmic data might change the entire interpretation of a specific formation. I saw a great example recently where a geologist realized that an unconformity extended across a region where no one else had noticed it before, and was able to find stratigraphic traps in areas that were near existing dry holes, but the wells had missed the reservoir.

Geology and engineering are VERY different. At many universities in the States, Geology is considered a "soft" science - more memorizing, less analyzing. Engineering -not so. As an undergrad in the States, Geology has many more options than just petroleum if you change your mind. Again in the States, Engineers are probably paid more. I think that rather than asking a question on a web site you should talk to real people, either students at a university majoring in either subject or (preferably) professionals active in the field.

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