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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
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Welcome to "From Fossil to Fuel," where our host, Brendan McDougall, a seasoned professional in the oil and gas industry, takes you on a deep dive into the technical aspects of petroleum production. Throughout our 24 episode series, you will journey from the geological birth of oil and gas millions of years ago, to the refinement techniques that fuel our modern world. It's time to dive deeper into this critical industry.
In this episode, we talk about the foundations of oil and gas reservoirs, how they function, and what they contain. Starting with the concept of density and buoyancy, we break down why water, oil, and gas structure themselves in a certain way underground, and why this matters when looking for oils reserves. The discussion then moves to porosity and permeability, two essential aspects that determine the quantity and movement of oil and gas in a reservoir.
We highlight the different kinds of rocks that make up a typical reservoir, including sandstone, limestone, and shale. These distinctive geological materials play various critical roles in forming trap and cap rocks. We then explore the advanced geological techniques, such as seismic reflection and outcrop examination, used to detect and evaluate the potential and profitability of oil reservoirs.
Through "From Fossil to Fuel," you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the oil and gas industry's technical side, illuminating the often-overlooked aspects that make our modern, fueled world possible. Join Brendan McDougall on this exciting journey, expanding your horizons and feeding your curiosity about this essential resource that powers our lives.
If you've found value in this episode, don't forget to subscribe to listen to the entire series or leave a feedback, thumbs up, or an email at fromfossiltofuel@gmail.com or reach out to Brendan McDougall on LinkedIn.
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
Thursday Mar 07, 2024
In this eye-opening episode, Brennan McDougall, a professional engineer with a decade of experience in the oil and gas industry, explains in clear detail how oil and gas originates from organic matter. Brennan takes us back millions of years ago to understand the formation process of fossil fuels. He clarifies common misconceptions about fossil fuels and provides a deep insight into how organic material metamorphoses into oil and gas deep within the Earth's crust.
The episode demystifies the technical side of the oil and gas industry, explaining with analogies for a layman's understanding. Brennan discusses the characteristics of fossil fuels, the concept of permeability, and the formation of oil reservoirs. He also highlights why oil is termed a non-renewable energy source and links the burning of oil and gas to the produce of greenhouse gases.
You'll also understand the difference between the source rock and the reservoir, and why some oil and gas reservoirs are located kilometers beneath the earth's surface. Understand how oil and gas reservoirs aren't like pools or lakes but rather are accumulations of oil and gas trapped in the tiny spaces within rocks.
Join Brennan on this fascinating journey from fossil to fuel and unravel the mysteries of the oil and gas industry. Dive headfirst into the exploration of age-old fossil fuel formation processes to oil extraction in the modern-day industry!
If you enjoyed today's episode, do not forget to subscribe to the podcast for more fascinating and enlightening content, all 24 episodes are available at your convenience. Leave a comment, give a thumbs up or connect with Brennan directly at fromfossiltofuel@gmail.com or on LinkedIn.
Thursday Mar 07, 2024