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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

314263 v.1 Master of Petroleum Engineering

MPetEng(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 034333J
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1.5 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course is comprehensive in nature and provides multidisciplinary education and hands-on training in petroleum engineering. Candidates completing the course are expected to work as fully qualified petroleum engineers requiring minimum supervision in the upstream oil and gas industry. The teaching staff in the Department are professionals with many years of working experience in the oil and gas industry.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.


Course Overview Note

Extensive computer hardware and software are available for use as is the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ online information library.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants require an honours degree or 4-year engineering degree or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline. Candidates with honours degrees in other disciplines may be considered where they have relevant industrial experience. Additionally, candidates who have passed the Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering with a minimum mark of 65% in each unit, and with a pass in Thermodynamics 520, Fluid Mechanics 512 and Process Heat Transfer 511 as a minimum, will be considered for admission.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Engineering


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


The course is organised on a semester modular format with almost 50 per cent of the time spent on applications of the knowledge using real oil and gas field data.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply the knowledge of petroleum engineering to the design of wells and production facilities to optimise hydrocarbon production from subsurface reservoirs in a safe, clean and efficient manner

2. approach engineering problems in a logical way and be able to formulate an optimum solution

3. determine and evaluate relevant data from a range of sources to optimise the decision making process

4. work clearly and concisely, and be able to communicate engineering findings in a variety of ways via written, verbal or electronic communications

5. use technological resources to effectively collect production and exploration information and communicate findings to others

6. develop an understanding of the use of knowledge, and how it can be used for personal development to enhance the engineer's future career

7. recognise the global nature of the oil and gas industry and its relationship to and impact on world energy supply and demand issues

8. demonstrate an awareness and understanding of cultural perspectives and practices affected by oil and gas production

9. apply lessons learnt in a professional manner in all areas of engineering design, demonstrating leadership and ethical behaviour at all times


Duration and Availability

This course is three semesters study or part-time equivalent.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
313060 v.1   Applied Geology and Geophysics 602 4.0 25.0
313061 v.1   Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering 605 4.0 25.0
313058 v.2   Phase Behaviour and Flow Assurance 606 4.0 25.0
313059 v.1   Formation Evaluation 604 3.5 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
313062 v.1   Drilling Engineering Fundamentals 603 4.0 25.0
313065 v.1   Production Technology 607 4.0 25.0
313066 v.1   Stimulation and Intervention Operations 600 4.0 25.0
313064 v.1   Advanced Reservoir Engineering 601 3.5 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
313069 v.2   Hydrocarbon Economics and Project Management 602 4.0 25.0
313070 v.1   Field Development Planning 604 4.0 25.0
313086 v.1   Advanced Drilling Practices 600 4.0 25.0
313068 v.1   Numerical Reservoir Simulation 612 5.0 25.0
  100.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.