Porosity

Term from Oil Extraction industry explained for recruiters

Porosity is a key concept in oil and gas exploration that describes how much empty space exists within rock formations that can hold oil, gas, or water. Think of it like a sponge - the more holes it has, the more liquid it can hold. When candidates mention porosity in their resumes, they're typically talking about their experience in analyzing or working with these rock formations to determine how much oil or gas might be available for extraction. This knowledge is crucial for deciding where to drill wells and how much oil or gas a reservoir might contain.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted porosity measurements on core samples to evaluate reservoir potential

Used advanced logging tools to analyze porosity in deep-water wells

Developed models to predict oil recovery based on porosity calculations

Typical job title: "Petrophysicists"

Also try searching for:

Reservoir Engineer Petrophysicist Geologist Formation Evaluation Specialist Core Analyst Well Log Analyst

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do different types of porosity affect oil recovery rates?

Expected Answer: A senior professional should explain how connected vs isolated pores impact oil extraction, and how this knowledge influences production strategies and well placement decisions.

Q: What methods would you use to improve porosity measurements in challenging formations?

Expected Answer: They should discuss various measurement techniques, including core analysis, well logging, and modern imaging methods, explaining when each is most appropriate.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you calculate effective porosity from well log data?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic process of using well logs to determine useful pore space, distinguishing between total and effective porosity.

Q: What factors can affect porosity measurements in the field?

Expected Answer: Should discuss various environmental and geological factors that can impact measurements, and how to account for these in calculations.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between total and effective porosity?

Expected Answer: Should explain that total porosity includes all void spaces, while effective porosity only includes connected pores that can actually contribute to fluid flow.

Q: What basic tools are used to measure porosity?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common measurement tools like core analysis equipment and basic well logging instruments used in the field.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of porosity measurements
  • Familiarity with well logging tools
  • Basic rock sample analysis
  • Understanding of simple porosity calculations

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced porosity analysis techniques
  • Well log interpretation
  • Core sample testing
  • Data analysis and reporting

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex formation evaluation
  • Advanced measurement techniques
  • Project management
  • Training and mentoring junior staff

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No hands-on experience with porosity measurement tools
  • Lack of understanding of basic geological concepts
  • No experience with well log analysis
  • Unable to explain different types of porosity