| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-23 | - |
| 2025-01-27 | - |
Program Overview
The University of Aberdeen's online MSc Petroleum Engineering program equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry. This accredited program covers fundamental principles and industry-standard software training, preparing graduates for roles such as drilling, reservoir, and production engineers. The flexible part-time format allows students to study around existing commitments, completing the program in 27-30 months.
Program Outline
MSc Petroleum Engineering - Online Masters Degree
Degree Overview:
The University of Aberdeen offers a fully online, part-time MSc Petroleum Engineering degree, designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry. This accredited program, delivered in partnership with industry experts, equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in roles such as drilling engineer, reservoir engineer, and production engineer. The key objectives of the MSc Petroleum Engineering program are:
- To equip graduates with the ability to deliver viable oil and gas field development plans.
- To develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills through industry-standard simulation software training.
Outline:
Program Content:
The online MSc Petroleum Engineering program covers a wide range of topics across the petroleum engineering field, including:
- Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience
- Formation Evaluation
- Well Drilling and Production
- Reservoir Engineering
- Reservoir Simulation
Structure:
- The program is offered on a part-time basis, allowing students to study flexibly around existing commitments.
- Students can choose to study for a full MSc (180 credits) or exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).
- The program can be completed in 27-30 months, depending on the pace of study chosen.
Course Schedule:
- The program comprises eight 15-credit courses and a 60-credit project.
- Students can choose to start their studies in September or January and progress at their own pace.
- Individual courses are offered in September or January, allowing for flexible scheduling.
Modules:
Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience:
- Introduction to the Earth's structure and composition
- Principles of hydrocarbon generation and migration
- Petroleum reservoir types and characteristics
- Geological methods for reservoir exploration and appraisal
Petrophysics, Core Analysis and Formation Evaluation:
- Petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks and fluids
- Core analysis techniques for reservoir characterization
- Formation evaluation methods for reservoir pressure, fluid saturation, and permeability estimation
Reservoir Engineering:
- Reservoir fluid properties and behavior
- Darcy's Law and fluid flow in porous media
- Reservoir drive mechanisms and production forecasting
- Material balance and analytical methods for reservoir analysis
Well and Production Engineering:
- Well design and construction
- Production optimization and artificial lift methods
- Well completion and intervention techniques
- Flow assurance and sand management
Reservoir Simulation:
- Numerical methods for reservoir modeling
- Reservoir simulation software applications
- History matching and production optimization using simulation
- Enhanced oil recovery techniques simulation
Well Testing: Analysis and Design:
- Pressure transient analysis for well testing
- Well test design and interpretation
- Reservoir characterization and performance prediction using well test data
Field Development and Petroleum Economics:
- Integrated reservoir development planning
- Reservoir simulation for field development optimization
- Petroleum economics and project evaluation
Enhanced Oil Recovery:
- Principles and techniques for enhanced oil recovery
- Chemical flooding, gas injection, and thermal recovery methods
- Reservoir simulation for EOR applications
Assessment:
The program uses a combination of online assessments and written exams to evaluate student learning. Online assessments include coursework, quizzes, and timed open-book assessments. Written exams are conducted at designated exam centers.
Teaching:
The online program utilizes MyAberdeen, the university's virtual learning environment. Students have access to all necessary materials, including lecture notes, assignments, and online resources. The program is delivered by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals, ensuring students receive up-to-date knowledge and industry-relevant skills.
Careers:
The MSc Petroleum Engineering program prepares graduates for diverse career opportunities in the global oil and gas industry. Potential career paths include:
- Drilling Engineer
- Operations Engineer
- Piping Specification Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Reservoir Engineer
- Reservoir Simulation Engineer
- Subsurface Engineer
- Wellhead Engineer Graduates are equipped to work for major oil and gas companies, service providers, and consultancies.
Other:
- The program is accredited by the Energy Institute (EI), a globally recognized professional body for the energy sector.
- The University of Aberdeen offers a 20% discount on tuition fees for alumni pursuing this online degree.
- The program provides dedicated support services for students, including careers guidance, disability support, and IT assistance.
- The indicative cost of the program is £14,100 for 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2024.
- Students can apply for various scholarships and funding options to support their studies.
- The entry requirements for the program include a 2:1 UK honors degree in engineering, applied mathematics, geology, physics, or chemistry, and relevant experience.
