Energy Resources" Geology, Supply and Demand
G. C. Brown and E. Skipsey
Open University Press, 1986; ISBN 0-335-15200-7; 213 pp.
This book is an edited version of the energy source compo-
nents of the Open University's earth science course. It is
designed for students and so has clear summaries at the end of
chapters while, at the back of the book, are several pages of
self-assessment questions (and answers). We have become
used to the publications of The Open University being clearly
written and easily understood and Energy Resources is no
exception. Its style is conversational, with frequent use of
phrases such as "you will realise that . . . " or 'now that we
understand this . . . ', but the book is certainly no worse for
that and this approach probably does help the reader's
comprehension.
It is divided into two parts. After an opening chapter which
classifies energy resources and compares their relative im-
portance to man, there is a second scene-setting chapter
which examines the historical growth of energy demand and
poses questions about possible future demand. ! laving estab-
lished a framework for the book, the remainder of Part One
deals with the fossil fuels, dew~ting three chapters to coal and
four to petroleum.
It might be imagined that these chapters on petroleum
would be the main reason for a reader of this journal to buy
the book. The first of them covers the nature and origin of
petroleum; the second, migration and accumulation: the
third, exploration, evaluation and recovery; and the fourth
puts petroleum in Britain into a world setting, Thev are
concisely written, informative and up-to-date (even mention-
ing the unconventional but topical theory that abundant
methane may be present in the Earth's mantle) but, of
course, four short chapters is not much in which to cover the
whole subject of petroleum geology, and so no aspect is
covered in depth. The practising petroleum geologist may
wish to refresh his or her memory on which part of the
stratigraphic column has the largest crude oil resources, or
the relations of kerogen types with hydrogen, carbon and
oxygen ratios but, on the whole, I would not recommend the
Open-hole Log Analysis and Formation Evaluation
R. M. Bateman
International Human Resources Development Corporation, Boston, 1986;
ISBN: 90-277-2132-7; 647 pp. Price: £80.50/Dfl. 290.00
Formation evaluation is a rapidly evolving and highly technic-
al subject of vital concern to petroleum geologists and
engineers. New tools are constantly being developed, and
new methods of calculating petrophysical parameters de-
vised. Many textbooks on this topic have appeared in recent
years, but new ones are always welcome in this fast-moving
field. Inevitably, this book must be compared with its com-
petitors, Asquith and Gibson (1982), Merkel (1974), Dewan
(1982), Helander (1983), Hilchie (1982 a & b) and Serra
(1984). Bateman is well qualified to write a text on formation
evaluation, having spent some fifteen years with a major
wireline logging company before founding a successful con-
sultancy in 1980.
268 Marine and Petroleum Geology, 1987, Vol 4, August
professional to linger over these chapters on petroleum.
The remainder of the book, however, is another matter and
it is there that the non-specialist approach of the authors will
be welcomed by petroleum geologists. The three chapters on
coal and the long chapter (35 pages) on nuclear energy are
excellent synopses and cover ground w'ith which most of us
are probably only slightly familiar: for example the productiv-
ity and recovery factors of modern collieries, the arguments
for and against different types of nuclear power stations, or
the relationship of uranium price and uranium production
over the last twenty years. Since the health and vigour of our
own petroleum industry is closclv linked with these major
alternative energy sources, some knowledge of the latter is of
more than passing importance. (}cothermal energy, wind,
tides, solar and hydro-electric energy are all discussed in a
way which focuses on their problems and their potential. The
book then examines the side effects of energy conversion,
some of them major worries such as acid-rain, the disposal (/1
spent radioactive fuel and the build-up of atmospheric CO2.
And, finally, the future of energy supply and demand arc
considered, with stress laid on the 'dwindling prospect for any
long-lasting increase in the supply of oil and gas at acceptable
prices . . .
Petroleum geologists wishing to see their industry in a
broader energy context will wish to add this book to their
libraries, as will (or shoukt) those responsible for planning
and energy policy. There are a number of typographic errors,
some of which are serious (such as the statement that the
Selby Colliery is phmned to produce 10 million tons of coal
'per day'): but others add to rather than detract from the
pleasure the book gives: for instance the two species of
uranium and their respectivc "ironic' radii.
Michael F. Ridd
Glasgow
The book is presented in five parts. The first, CM~hods of
Gathering Evaluation Data' begins with a very useful over-
view chapter, ideal for the reader needing a quick insight into
the subject. This is followed by chapters on Mudlogging,
Measurement While Drilling, Coring and Wireline Logging
Operations. Part Two is titled "Methods of Analysis and
Application of Results'. It includes chapters on the physics of
rock/fluid systems, basic concepts of log analysis and reserve
estimation. Part Three 'Open-Hole Logging Measurements',
describes all the various geophysical tools one by one in
intimate detail. It includes such recent additions to the
armoury as the Electromagnetic Propagation Tool (EPT), the
Dielectric Constant Tool (DCT) and even the Deep Propaga-

tion Tool (DPT). This leads on logically to Part Four,
'Analysis of Logs and Cores'. This explains the various
interpretation techniques, including quick-look tricks, cross-
plots, overlays and the elucidation of core data. Part Five is
concerned with formation evaluation of both drill stem and
wireline test methods.
The book concludes with a section on planning formation
evaluation well programs.
The author has the knack of explaining complex technical
matters. His clearly illustrated account of the cause of the
Spontaneous Potential is a case in point (p. 168). Bateman is
particularly skilful at the use of analogies. These range from
Bode's Law of planets, to the dimensions of elephants and
giraffes, and the problems of measuring the coastline of
Fubar, an island noted for catastrophic log runs.
The whole approach of the book is eminently practical,
including details of rigging up equipment, monitoring quality,
and what can be done when you have got your tool stuck,
apart from praying.
One particularly useful aspect is the inclusion of many flow
diagrams to illustrate the step by step measurements and
computations required in formation evaluation. There are
worked examples and exercises at the end of most chapters.
The text is well illustrated with all the classic old figures
that log analysts know and love so well, together with many
original ones.
The only obvious weakness in the book is the reviewer's
own particular field of interest, naturally. The use of logs in
subsurface facies analysis is barely mentioned. The applica-
tion of the S.P. log to incremental analysis is presented very
naively, and the comparable use of the gamma log not
mentioned at all. The chapter on the dipmeter log is excellent
Ocean Wave Modelling
The SWAMP Group
Plenum Press, New York, 1985; ISBN: 0-306-41685-9; 256 pp. Price: $49.50
The Sea Wave Modelling Project (SWAMP) had its origins in
1979 when a group of wave researchers proposed an inter-
comparison study to clarify the properties and relationships of
a variety of wave models. This book reports on the results of
this intercomparison which was first presented at a sympo-'
slum on Wave Dynamics and Radio Probing of the Ocean
Surface held in Miami, Florida in 1981. Nine wave modelling
groups from Europe, Japan and the United States co-
operated in the study.
Modern methods of wave modelling are based on the
numerical integration of the energy balance equation which
governs the evolution and behaviour of surface waves, as
described by the two dimensional energy spectrum. Differ-
ences in the results from wave models can usually be attri-
buted to the use of different source terms occurring in this
equation. Three source models control the evolution of waves
in deep water. These terms describe the growth of waves due
to the wind, nonlinear wave-wave interactions and dissipa-
tion due to wave breaking.
The book is in two parts. The second part describes the
features of each of the nine wave models. Most of the wave
models are or were in operational use. The first part of the
book contains the results of a series of intercomparison tests
which were fornmlated by the SWAMP group to reveal
differences between the models due to different physical
processes incorporated in the source terms.
There is a chapter on each of the test runs. The first test
compares the growth of th~ wave field over a rectangular,
deep-water ocean with fetch and duration for a uniform wind
field blowing off a straight coastline. This basic test has
Marine and Petroleum Geology, 1987, Vol 4, August
Book Reviews
when discussing the tool and the processing of the results.
Unfortunately, the section on interpretation is cursory and
antiquated. Fortunately, the applications of logs to subsur-
face facies analysis are dealt with in another excellent book,
though modesty inhibits the reviewer from citing details.
All in all, this is an excellent text for professional log
analysts, and will serve as a reference work for petroleum
geologists and engineers. At a cost of £80.50 however, it is
not a recommended purchase for redundant geologists look-
ing for a text to keep them up-to-date while waiting for the
industry to pick up.
R. C. Selley
Imperia/ Co/lege, London
References
Asquith, G. and Gibson, C. (1982) Basic Well Log Analysi.~
for Geologists, A . A . P . G . . Tulsa, 216 pp.
Dewan, J.T. (1982) Modern Open Hole Log htterpretatio#t,
PennWell Publ. Co., Tulsa. 361 pp.
Helander, D.P. (t983) Fundamentals oj Formation Evahm-
tion, Oil and Gas Consultants Int. PUN., 332 pp.
Hilchie, D.W. (1982a) Applied Openhole l,og hzterpreta/io#z,
D. W. Hilchie Inc., Golden, Colorado, 330 pp.
Hilchie, D. W. (1982b) Advanced Well Log Interpretation, D.
W. Hilchie Inc., Golden, Colorado
Serra, O. (1984) Fundamentals qf Well Log hueq,-etation:
The Acquisition of Logging Data, Elsevier, 423 pp.
observational data, drawn from the Joint North Sea Wave
Project, with which to compare the results from the models.
The second test is of an ocean subjected to a wind directed
diagonally across it. Other tests confine the wind field to a
half-plane and to the case of a diagonal front. Finally, two
interesting cases with complex wind fields corresponding to a
stationary and moving hurricane are considered. Each test is
discussed in a separate chapter with carefully drawn graphs to
illustrate the results and with a final section giving the
conclusions from the test and recommendations.
The general conclusions and outlook from this important
study suggest that the most consistent approach to wave
modelling is in terms of a source function where all physical
processes are represented adequately. There are two excel-
lent chapters which summarize the main results of this project
and suggest ways of overcoming the limitations of the models.
Finally, the SWAMP group envisage a "third generation" of
wave models which, with increased computer speed and
storage capacity, should overcome the limitations rew:aled in
this study.
The book is well produced with clear diagrams and an
index; it can be recommended to users of waxe model results
who would like to understand the limitations of present-day
models and to the research worker.
J. A. Ewing
Inst. of Oceanographic Sciences
Worm/ey, Surrey
269