Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers extract oil, gas, and other resources from the Earth all over the world. They plan and supervise the drilling of wells, evaluate oil and gas production, and predict future production from the Gulf of Mexico to the coasts of Singapore. Aside from everyday gasoline, petroleum is also used in many different fuels and its byproducts are found in everything from car tires to toys. Because of the demand for oil and gas and advances in petroleum technology, the field of petroleum engineering plays an important role in the world today. You will study various techniques for evaluating the characteristics of petroleum-bearing formations and their fluid contents. Modern computer-based modeling is used to study the technology of well logging, well testing, well stimulation, petroleum reservoir engineering, recovery, and geology. Other areas of study include: economic analysis of oil and gas production, reservoir characterization, and artificial lift methods. Where do petroleum engineers work: Petroleum engineers work all over the world in drilling, refining, manufacturing (especially for products like plastics, rubber and other petroleum-based products), and geophysics. Big names in the industry include: Chevron, Williams, Chesapeake, Exxon Mobile, BP, ConocoPhillips, Valero, Petronas, Royal Dutch Shell, and more. Mission Statement To educate engineers for the worldwide petroleum industry, and to perform meaningful research that advances oil and gas recovery. Students graduating from the petroleum engineering program shall be well prepared to serve the industry and themselves, through their technical knowledge, ethical considerations, participation in professional societies and desire for lifelong learning. The petroleum engineering program emphasizes the importance of geomechanics in petroleum development, through building mechanical earth models. Petroleum Engineering Educational Objectives To produce a petroleum engineer who is capable of working as a drilling/completions, production, or reservoir engineer; or related fields of hydrogeology, petroleum transportation and storage, or oil and gas regulations. To produce a petroleum engineer who understands the value of information in the exploitation of an oil or gas asset, and who can analyze and synthesize data to construct economic solutions to petroleum engineering problems. To produce petroleum engineers who are recognized for their ability to integrate geology, geophysics, petro physics and mechanical earth modeling to solve petroleum engineering problems within the framework of multidisciplinary teams. Educational Outcomes The petroleum engineering program educational outcomes are based on ABET’s outcomes 1 through 12 plus specific MEM related outcomes. The outcomes statements are as follows: Petroleum engineering seeks to graduate students who have: The ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering. The ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data. The ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. The ability to function on multidisciplinary teams. The ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems. The understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. The ability to communicate effectively. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.