Petroleum Engineering | Top 5 universities to pursue this course!

Petroleum engineering (PE) uses geology, physics, and mathematical principles to address energy-related issues. These include global situations that require a constant supply and security of fuel. 

As per the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for petroleum engineers can grow by 8% between 2020 and 2030. If you want to be a part of this thriving industry, consider going for a Petroleum Engineering degree. 

We are here to discuss everything that petroleum engineers do and the best universities to pursue a Petroleum Engineering degree. Keep scrolling! 

What is Petroleum Engineering? 

Petroleum Engineering is a branch of engineering specializing in designing and developing different methods of extracting oil and gas from below the Earth’s surface. With global energy requirements on the rise, career opportunities are also steadily increasing in this field.

Petroleum engineers combine exploration and innovation to effectively design oil and gas extraction methods. As a result, this is a field that overlaps considerably with other engineering disciplines, including- 

• Chemical Engineering 
• Civil Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering 

Petroleum engineers need to have the skills and qualifications necessary to operate supercomputers. They use these supercomputers to analyze exploration data, simulate reservoir behavior, and automate oilfield production & drilling operations. Most petroleum engineers have a supporting Computer Science qualification to simulate extraction and reservoir-related processes. 

Petroleum engineers work across different environments, including offices and drilling sites. Pursuing a petroleum engineering program from a reputed university can equip aspirants with a firm foundation for a career in the field. 

There are several recognized universities across the world that offer excellent PE programs for aspirants seeking to enter the field. 

If you are considering pursuing a PE qualification overseas, the five best colleges to consider are as follows: 

5 best universities to pursue Petroleum Engineering

1. National University of Singapore – Singapore 

• The National University of Singapore (NUS) has a dedicated Center for Offshore Research & Engineering (CORE). 
• CORE offers several master levels modules in PE to develop your knowledge and skills. 
• The university offers various popular modules, such as- 
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery 
  • Production Engineering 
  • Drilling and Completion 
  • Petroleum Geology 
  • Seismic Processing and Acquisition 
  • Reservoir Engineering 
• A team of academic and industry practitioners with extensive experience in the field teach these modules.
• CORE also offers a Master of Science program with a specialization in PE. The petroleum engineering program is typically for two years. 
• Additionally, Singapore is Asia’s hub of technology centers. Therefore, students of the university receive opportunities for employment with reputed names in the industry. 

2. Stanford University – United States 

• Stanford University offers undergraduate, graduate, and coterminal MS program options in petroleum and other energy resources engineering. 
• The Bachelor of Science program provides a stable foundation for the different careers within the energy industry. 
• The program provides an Earth-Sciences-based approach to engineering energy resources. 
• As a part of this program, you need to develop an individual course of study. This is facilitated by collaborations with a primary advisor. 
• The flexibility of the curriculum enables you to explore topics of interest outside the classroom and pursue academics abroad. 
• The coterminal MS program gives you an opportunity to pursue graduate research and earn a degree concurrently. 
• Stanford University also offers an MS and a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering. A key focus of the syllabus is on the fluid flow aspect in the subsurface of the Earth. 

3. Imperial College London – United Kingdom 

• Imperial College London has a dedicated Center for Petroleum Studies focused on professional development, postgraduate teaching, and research. 
• The center is recognized to have one of the largest concentrations of engineers and scientists in the United Kingdom, with a staff strength of 40. 
• Imperial College London offers an MSc program in PE that places research emphasis on topics, such as- 
  • Environmental engineering 
  • Process engineering
  • Multiphase flow 
  • Reservoir engineering
  • Petrophysics
  • Clastic deposition
• As a part of this university, you need to undertake compulsory research projects largely funded by the industry, the European Commission, and the Centre for Marine and Petroleum Technology (CMPT).

4. Heriot-Watt University – United Kingdom 

• The university offers a full-time MSc PE program that trains you on sustainable and safe ways to meet resource demands. 
• This petroleum engineering program includes a wide range of fundamentals that help you develop a solid foundation required for the industry.
• The syllabus comprises 8 taught courses and 2 compulsory research projects under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor. 
• One of the projects assigned is a field development project where you will be encouraged to work with your peers and collect field data. 
• The second project is an individual research project where you can select a topic of interest, such as geosciences and production chemistry. 
• A key highlight of this university is the extensive alumni network supported by recruitment events, workshops, and professional talks. 
• The university also has a strategic, industry-based advisory board that ensures the syllabus is up-to-date. 

5. University of Alberta – Canada 

• The University of Alberta is famous for offering excellent undergraduate PE Bachelor of Science program. 
• The program’s syllabus is based on the principles of engineering, physics, and geology. The university trains you to recover, develop and process petroleum from beneath the Earth’s surface. 
• The University of Alberta offers several areas of specialization for you to choose from. These include-
  • Fluid mechanics of gas 
  • Advanced drilling engineering 
  • Advanced topics in petroleum mechanics 
  • Reservoir simulator development 
  • Advanced well test analysis
  • Thermal recovery 
  • Well-logging and formation 

Key takeaways 

• Petroleum engineering is a specialization of engineering focused on extracting and processing fuel and petroleum from beneath the Earth’s surface. 
• With the growing demands for energy resources, opportunities for petroleum engineers are also increasing. 
• There is a requirement for professionals who have been trained and have the relevant qualifications to cater to the world’s energy demands. 
• Opt for a program from the above-listed universities to gain the technical and practical skills required by the field. 

If you need assistance choosing the right university for you, we can help! Just reach out to us or drop a comment below!  

Liked this blog? Read next: Genetic Engineering | Everything you need to know about this field!

FAQs 

Q1. What are the different engineering programs under petroleum engineering? 

Answer – Students of petroleum engineering programs are also taught reservoir engineering, drilling engineering, and production engineering courses. 

Q2. What is the annual wage of a petroleum engineer? 

Answer – As of May 2020, the annual median wage of a petroleum engineer was recorded to be USD 137,330. 

Q3. Are GRE scores required for the coterminal program by Stanford University? 

Answer – Yes, applicants will have to submit official GRE scores to complete their registration to Stanford University’s coterminal programs.