308081 v.1 Master of Petroleum Well Engineering

Introduction

An indepth knowledge of the technology and processes of drilling, completing and operating wells in a variety of environments for oil and gas exploitation. Participants are expected to wish to orientate their careers in this area of specialism of operational oil and gas engineering. It is expected that graduates will seek employment opportunities in the international oil and gas industry in both service and operating companies. The process of efficiently drilling and completing wells is becoming a major challenge for the industry as we drill more complex and critical wells, as well as develop oil and gas fields in more environmentally hostile and economically marginal areas. In such areas there is a need for highly trained professional engineers conversant with the most up to date practices to drill and complete wells. The technology associated with drilling and completing wells has advanced substantially in the past 15 years and continues to progress both in terms of the equipment available and the methodologies deployed. Engineers entering the industry in this area should anticipate that over the next decade their discipline will be at the forefront of most offshore and the major onshore, developments.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A bachelors degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline. Well rounded personal and communication skills will also be useful attributes, although these will be further developed in the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course will be available on a full or part-time basis. On a full-time basis the normal duration of the course will be 18 months and will follow the sequential series of modules. On a part-time basis the program could be undertaken over aperiod of up to 4 years, but would follow a schedule to be approved by the academic coordinator. Participation within all modular units is compulsory.

Course Organisation

Geology and geophysics for drilling engineers, formation evaluation, drilling engineering, advanced drilling practices, reservoir engineering for drilling engineers, production technology, advanced drilling techniques, well completions and workover, drilling operations management, contracting and HSE, remedial, stimulation and intervention operations, group and team well design or workover project, petroleum well engineering 691.

Professional Recognition

It is likely that successful graduates from the course would be recognised by the Institute of Australian Engineers. Future accreditation by other professional and engineering institutes of international standing is pending.

Career Opportunities

It is expected that graduates will seek employment opportunities in the international oil and gas industry in both service and operating companies. As a drilling engineer with an operating or production company, graduates will be involved in the design of wells as well as the rig-based supervision of drilling and completion programs after gaining suitable experience. Alternatively, they could secure employment with a drilling contractor or service company. With the drilling contractor graduates could beinvolved in well supervision on-site. For the service sector the role would be that of providing specialist technical services such as directional drilling or specialist interventions for operating companies and drilling contractors.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other vital study materials.

Availability

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.

Curtin University of Technology
Current as of: January 28, 2005
CRICOS provider code 00301J