Course description
Course description
The availability of oil and gas resources underpins the world's economy. It is vitally important for the well-being of humanity that these resources are exploited efficiently. Exploiting these resources is a complicated process and involves the interaction of specialists from a variety of backgrounds. As the petroleum industry reaches maturity new hydrocarbon resources are becoming increasingly difficult to find. In addition, the worldwide demand for oil is increasing rapidly. The decline in new discoveries, coupled with increased demand, has resulted in a rising oil price, and so oil companies are placing more emphasis on efficient recovery to maintain production and meet increasing demands. Petroleum Engineers works at the interface between geology and engineering and plays a pivotal role in the efficient exploitation and long-term recovery of hydrocarbons. Their expertise is used to manage fluid-flow by the application of new technologies. To perform this task they need a diverse set of skills and knowledge, including the ability to think laterally. The course at The University of Manchester covers all aspects of Petroleum Engineering, teaching students how to:
-characterise rocks in the subsurface using both geological and petrophysical techniques,
-predict multi-phase fluid flow through variably porous natural media,
understand 3-D geometries of rock formations,
-develop an understanding of the likely interactions that might occur between the fluids and the rocks in the subsurface and well-bore environments.
The programme also gives students an appreciation of how drilling and production might affect the petroleum system. At Manchester students are taught using the latest 3-D visualisation technology, equipping students with the ability to visualize and model the 3-D architecture of reservoirs. The Programme provides a challenging and stimulating educational experience where students are encouraged to develop and communicate their ideas and strategies from an early stage.
Special features
This new degree programme is specifically designed to provide graduates with the skills needed to be successful Petroleum Engineers. To meet these requirements this programme mixes course elements from Chemical Engineering (School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences), Mechanical Engineering (School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering) and Earth Sciences (School of Earth Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences).
Have knowledge of both engineering and geological processes that underpin the exploitation of oil reserves.
Have the ability to solve Petroleum Engineering related problems in both academic and industrial environments.
You will be able to critically appreciate how rock properties vary in sedimentological environments (particularly mineralogy, porosity and permeability) and use petrophysical techniques to characterise them.
Know how rocks vary in 3-D and understand the natural processes that lead to this variability.
You will be able to appreciate how drilling can fundamentally alter the petrophysical properties of rocks.
Understand the fundamental processes and management of fluid flow through rocks.
Have the necessary formal training to meet the requirements for "Chartered Petroleum Engineer Status".
Gain a working knowledge of reservoir modelling and fluid flow simulation software to enable them to design original strategies to investigate problems in petroleum engineering.
You will be taught by academics who are the experts in their fields
All accommodation and transport costs on compulsory school-led field trips are met by the University.
Gain the initial training towards becoming a chartered Petroleum Engineer.
Career opportunities
The future for petroleum engineering is very buoyant as there is a worldwide shortage of people trained in this subject area.
