From Fossil to Fuel™

https://feed.podbean.com/fromfossiltofuel/feed.xml

1.3K

Downloads

Episodes

This podcast is meant to educate non-technical people about the technical fundamentals of the oil and gas industry. It starts all the way back with the formation of fossil fuels and goes through the entire process that generates the fuel that we consume in our vehicles. For anyone who works in oil and gas that doesn’t have a technical background (or just the general public) that wants to learn more about how the oil and gas industry works, this podcast is for you.

Brendan MacDougall, P.Eng

Brendan is an engineer that graduated from the University of Calgary in 2008 with a Bachelor in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. He has worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 15 years and is very passionate about educating the general population about the fundamentals of that industry. He has been teaching a course since 2020 in Calgary, Denver and Houston on the very same material. Any inquiries can be directed to brendanmacdougall@gmail.com

The Most Engaging Oil and Gas 101 Course in the World

I have been teaching an in-person course in both Canada and the US for the past 5 years. From Fossil to Fuel won the Multimedia Award in 2023. The course is split into two half days (usually an afternoon followed by the next morning). The target audience is non-technical professionals (HR, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, IT, new grads etc.) and the general public. It is an all-inclusive review of the oil and gas industry but simplified with pictures and analogies. It begins with the formation of fossil fuels, goes through drilling/completions/facilities/production and all the way through to refining (hence the name "From Fossil to Fuel"). The course is hands on and designed for ~20-40 people. The podcast (which mirrors the course) is essentially a digital textbook and is free of charge. For in-person booking/inquiries, please email brendanmacdougall@gmail.com

Feedback from past students:

"Excellent! The course was very informative and helped my understanding of topics that I had heard about previously."

"I loved the simplicity of the materials! It was very helpful for someone that is not technical."

"Brendan was a fantastic instructor and very engaging. He explained everything with simplistic analogies for someone like me to understand better with limited oil and gas experience."

"The delivery was excellent! The props he showed to support the presentation were great. Brendan is a fantastic presenter. This presentation should be given to all new hires."

"I really enjoyed this course and it has answered a LOT of questions that I've had over the years."

Episodes

Thursday Mar 07, 2024

Season 2 - Understanding Rock Geology Fundamentals in Oil and Gas Industry

Thursday Mar 07, 2024

In this informative episode, Brendan McDougall and William Belevance delve into the fascinating realm of rock geology, emphasizing the key concepts of porosity and permeability critical to the oil and gas industry. They explain how fossil fuels are formed, what distinguishes a productive oil and gas repository, and why oil and gas get trapped in underground pools. Using everyday examples, the hosts illustrate these critical geological terms and their significance to oil extraction.

The conversation further covers a detailed discussion on reservoir rocks like sandstone, limestone, and shale. They illuminate the intricacies of these reservoir rocks, such as the self-explanatory composition of sandstone, the unique origin of limestone from sea creature shells, and the dual nature of shale acting as a barrier in conventional reservoirs and a target in fracking applications.

Gain an in-depth understanding of the journey of fossil fuels, starting from their formation under high temperature and pressure conditions to traveling upwards through permeable rocks. With their simplified narrative, Brendan and William make understanding geology terms and their implications in the oil and gas industry easy and exciting, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about getting familiar with the oil and gas industry.

Enhance your knowledge about the exciting techniques like seismic reflections, outcrops, and offset wells used to locate oil and gas. Get a sneak-peek into the future of this industry, with the hosts hinting towards the upcoming unconventional reservoirs. Click 'Play' now to reveal the secrets of oil and gas extraction and appreciate the captivating science behind it.

Thursday Mar 07, 2024

Season 2 - Demystifying Oil and Gas Formation

Thursday Mar 07, 2024

Get ready to dive into the intricate yet fascinating world of oil and gas as Brendan McDougall, an industry professional, and William Belevance, a diligent geology student, dissect this complex industry in an easy-to-understand approach. In this brand-new episode of 'From Fossil to Fuel 2.0', the duo embark on a journey to elucidate every stage of oil and gas industry.

Whether youre a novice or a seasoned professional, you'll gain a fresh perspective as Brendan and William provide a comprehensive understanding of oil and gas formation: from life-transforming natural substances to the transformative process resulting in coal, light oil, and natural gas. Listen as they unravel the process of how organic matter evolves, the decomposition process of oil and gas, and the creation of hydrocarbon chains.

But the exploration doesn't stop there. The hosts go a step further, explaining what happens when oil and gas forms, debunking common misconceptions, and discussing the essential elements behind the migration of oil and gas from deep within the Earth's layers to the surface. This episode promises to be full of engaging explanations and comparisons that will leave you with a better understanding of this essential industry.

Finally, don't miss out on the cliffhanger for the next episode diving into rock geology, porosity, and permeability. Are you ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Join Brendan and William as they guide you through the incredible process of going 'From Fossil to Fuel'.