Petroleum Chemistry
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 170 pages
- 11 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of petroleum chemistry. It explores the origin, composition, and properties of crude oil and natural gas. Key topics include the fate of organic matter in sedimentary basins, gas transportation, and the distribution of petroleum resources. Students will learn about basic petroleum refining processes, natural gas treatment, and the role of petrochemicals. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of petroleum chemistry and its significance in the energy sector.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 90 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CHM311, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CHM311 · UNIT 1 ORIGIN OF CRUDE OIL
Your course materials have important dates for the early and timely completion and submission of your TMAs and attending tutorials. You should remember that you are required to submit all your assignments by the stipulated time and date. You should guard against falling behind in your work.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the origin and formation of crude oil and natural gas.
- Describe the composition and properties of petroleum and natural gas.
- Analyze the processes involved in petroleum refining and natural gas treatment.
- Identify the major petrochemicals derived from natural gas.
- Evaluate the distribution and potential of natural gas resources.
- Discuss the environmental and economic aspects of petroleum chemistry.
What it prepares you for
- Petroleum Chemist
- Refinery Operator
- Petrochemical Engineer
- Energy Analyst
- Environmental Scientist
- Oil and Gas
- Petrochemicals
- Energy
- Environmental Management
- Chemical Manufacturing
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 3: Basic Petroleum Refining
Requires understanding of complex chemical reactions and equilibrium principles.
- Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 4: Natural Gas Treatment Processes
Involves multiple separation techniques and thermodynamic principles.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Basic Concepts in Petroleum Chemistry
Unit 1: Origin of Crude Oil · 2 hours
Define crude oil and petroleum chemistry.. Describe the biogenic origin theory and its supporting evidence.. Explain the role of photosynthesis in crude oil production..
- Week 2Module 1: Basic Concepts in Petroleum Chemistry
Unit 2: Fate of Organic Matter in Sedimentary Basins · 2 hours
Discuss the processes of diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis.. Explain the transformation of organic matter into kerogen.. Describe the different types of kerogen and their hydrocarbon generation potential..
- Week 3Module 1: Basic Concepts in Petroleum Chemistry
Unit 3: Gas Origin, Transportation and Uses · 2 hours
Discuss the origin and accumulation of natural gas.. Differentiate between conventional and unconventional gas accumulations.. List the various uses of natural gas and their environmental impacts..
- Week 4Module 1: Basic Concepts in Petroleum Chemistry
Unit 4: Oil Well, Oil Field and Reservoir · 2 hours
Describe the components of an oil well and the processes of completion, production, and abandonment.. Explain the concept of an oil reservoir and the different types of traps.. Discuss methods for estimating oil reserves and reservoir engineering principles..
- Week 5Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 1: Composition, Properties and Classification of Crude oil · 2 hours
Describe the different hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil.. Explain the properties of crude oil, including density, specific gravity, and sulphur content.. Discuss the various classifications of crude oil based on composition..
- Week 6Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 2: Natural Gas Origin, Transportation and Uses · 2 hours
Discuss the origin and accumulation of natural gas.. Explain the accumulation of natural gas.. Differentiate between natural gas and other gases..
- Week 7Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 3: Basic Petroleum Refining · 2 hours
Describe the process of fractional distillation and vacuum distillation.. Explain the processes of thermal cracking, hydrocracking, and catalytic cracking.. Discuss the fluid catalytic cracking process and its components..
- Week 8Module 2: Composition of Crude and Natural Gas
Unit 4: Natural Gas Treatment Processes · 2 hours
Explain acid gas treatment methods, including physical absorption, physical adsorption, and chemical absorption.. Describe the process of water removal from natural gas.. Discuss the recovery of condensable hydrocarbons and the treatment of liquefied natural gas..
- Week 9Module 3: Distribution of Petroleum and Natural Gases Resources
Unit 1: Distribution of Natural Gases · 2 hours
Differentiate between upstream and downstream sectors.. Explain the world natural gas distribution and production.. Discuss political activity and civil unrest..
- Week 10Module 3: Distribution of Petroleum and Natural Gases Resources
Unit 2: Nigeria Natural Gas Potential · 2 hours
Discuss the potential of Nigeria gas.. Explain the cost of production of natural gas.. Enumerate the potential market for natural gas..
- Week 11Module 3: Distribution of Petroleum and Natural Gases Resources
Unit 3: Petrochemicals from Natural Gas · 2 hours
List the chemicals that can be obtained from natural gas.. Explain the following methods methanation, oxidation of paraffins, and shift conversion.. State the uses of carbon disulphide..
- Week 12Module 3: Distribution of Petroleum and Natural Gases Resources
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all modules. Work on assignments. Prepare for final examination.
- Week 13Module 3: Distribution of Petroleum and Natural Gases Resources
Final Revision · 4 hours
Complete any outstanding assignments. Review all modules. Prepare for final examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Focus on understanding the different stages of petroleum generation and refining.
- Create diagrams illustrating the key processes in natural gas treatment.
- Practice solving problems related to crude oil classification and properties.
- Review the environmental impacts associated with petroleum and natural gas production.
- Study the economic aspects of natural gas distribution and trade.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 database concepts
- Practice SQL queries from Units 7-9 weekly
Questions students ask about this course
What is CHM311 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of petroleum chemistry. It explores the origin, composition, and properties of crude oil and natural gas. Key topics include the fate of organic matter in sedimentary basins, gas transportation, and the distribution of petroleum resources. Students will learn about basic petroleum refining processes, natural gas treatment, and the role of petrochemicals. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of petroleum chemistry and its significance in the energy sector.
How many units does CHM311 have?
CHM311, Petroleum Chemistry, has 11 units across 3 modules, over 170 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CHM311?
CHM311 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is CHM311 hard?
CHM311 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does CHM311 take to study?
About 90 hours of study, spread across its 11 units.
How is CHM311 assessed?
CHM311 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with CHM311?
Petroleum Chemist, Refinery Operator, Petrochemical Engineer, Energy Analyst and Environmental Scientist.