Exploration and Reservoir Geology course
By training cutting-edge exploration geologists, the Geology of Exploration and Reservoirs (GER) master's degree meets society's current and future needs in terms of evolving demands for energy and mineral resources.
The main skills targeted are as follows:
- Exploration and supply of energy, mineral and drinking water resources.
- Safe burial or temporary storage of fluids in underground tanks
- Characterization, modeling and prediction of reservoir architecture and dynamics.
- Optimization, recovery and sustainability of resources, with respect for environmental safety.
Graduates integrate environmental requirements from the earliest stages of exploration and throughout the operating process.
Program description
Training lasts 2 years and is divided into 4 semesters. It begins in September with an "integration field placement".
The first two semesters focus on fundamental geology skills. This provides students with the fundamentals of earth sciences, with particular emphasis on basin analysis, sedimentology, tectonics, geodynamics, stratigraphy and metal concentration processes. This part of the course relies heavily on fieldwork, mainly around Montpellier and in Spain. Practical fieldwork accounts for more than a quarter of the program.
The third semester involves applying these fundamental skills to hydrocarbon, mineral/metal and geothermal deposits using exploration tools : drilling geophysics, 2D-3D seismic interpretation, permeability modeling of reservoir units and faults, structural and petrophysical modeling, mineral and fluid resource modeling and evaluation. The courses are taught mainly by professionals from companies and agencies: Schlumberger, Total, BRGM for the "fluids" section, and Areva, Eramet, Imerys, Coralis and Etex for the "mining" section. Students benefit from privileged access to the most advanced and specific software, as well as to real geological datasets provided through industrial sponsorship.
The fourth semester essentially consists of a long-term internship (5 to 6 months) in a company or research laboratory, which reinforces the students' professional profile and offers them invaluable experience on the job market.
In addition to the post-graduate diploma, a partnership with IMT Mines Alès (80 km from Montpellier) offers the possibility of co-validating an engineering diploma by means of an optional 3rd year.
Pedagogical Contact :
SOLIVA ROGER (M1)
MUNOZ MANUEL (M2)
Administrative contact:
ANTERRIEU KARINE