Courses Handbook 2006 - [Archived]

308081 v.1 Master of Petroleum Well Engineering


MPetWellEng(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 050593M
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 1.5 Years

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 want to focus their careers in this specialised area 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 a period of up to four 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 and 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 essential study materials.

Course Structure

Hrs/Wk

Credit

Year 1 Study Period 3
308066 v.1   Geology and Geophysics for Drilling Engineers 601 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 4
308067 v.1   Formation Evaluation 602 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 5
308068 v.1   Drilling Engineering Fundamentals 603 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 6
308069 v.1   Advanced Drilling Practices 604 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 7
308070 v.1   Reservoir Engineering for Drilling Engineers 605 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 8
308071 v.1   Production Technology 606 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 9
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 10
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  25.0

Year 1 Study Period 11
308074 v.1   Drilling Operations Management, Contracting and Health Safety and Environment 607 40.0 25.0
  25.0

Year 2 Quarter 2
308077 v.1   Petroleum Well Engineering Dissertation 691 4.0 50.0
  50.0

Year 2 Study Period 12
308076 v.1   Group or Team Well Design Workover Project 690 4.0 25.0
  25.0
 
Optional Units to Select From in Year 1 Study Period 10 Hrs/Wk Credits
308073 v.1   Well Completions and Workover 610 40.0 25.0
 
 
Optional Units to Select From in Year 1 Study Period 9 Hrs/Wk Credits
308072 v.1   Advanced Drilling Techniques 608 40.0 25.0
308075 v.1   Remedial, Stimulation and Intervention Operations 40.0 25.0
 
N1 It is anticipated that additional optional units will become available as developed
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2006 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y 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.



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