Introduction to Petroleum Engineering

The course introduces students to the complete lifecycle of oil and gas reservoirs, through the determination of reserves and recoverability to the actual production of hydrocarbons both onshore and offshore. Emphasis is placed on technological processes, the principles and design of production equipment, including downhole pumps, as well as basic methods for production design and optimization. The course also covers the basic principles of reservoir and production project economic evaluation and production project management, the identification and assessment of safety and environmental risks, and the evaluation of the broader economic, energy-related, and geopolitical implications of hydrocarbon production and use in contemporary society..

Professional Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to explain and critically assess the principles of exploration, evaluation, and production of oil and natural gas reservoirs both onshore and offshore; characterize the individual stages of the reservoir life cycle; describe the design and operating principles of basic production equipment, including downhole pumps; and distinguish between the basic methods for estimating hydrocarbon reserves, recoverability, and reservoir life. The student will also be able to explain the basic principles of the economic evaluation of reservoirs and production projects, characterize the main environmental impacts of hydrocarbon production and methods for their prevention, and explain the role of oil and natural gas in the global energy system, including the key economic, environmental, and geopolitical aspects of hydrocarbon production and use.

Professional Skills

Based on reservoir and operational data, the student applies appropriate reservoir evaluation methods, calculates hydrocarbon reserves, and estimates their recoverability and remaining potential at a given stage of the reservoir life cycle. For specific geological and operational conditions, the student designs an optimized production approach, selects and justifies appropriate production equipment, including its deployment, processes and evaluates operational data, and interprets the results obtained. The student conducts a basic economic evaluation of the proposed production solution and critically assesses its technical, economic, safety, and environmental feasibility, including the main associated risks and options for their mitigation.

General Competencies

The student independently and responsibly selects an appropriate approach and chooses suitable solutions for the design and optimization of production processes under changing geological and operational conditions. The student assesses the quality and limitations of available data and results and considers the technical, economic, safety, environmental, ethical, and social aspects of the proposed solution. The student works effectively in a team, coordinates assigned tasks, communicates results clearly, and defends the selected technical solution to a professional audience. In solving problems, the student follows relevant legislative, safety, and professional requirements and considers the broader role of oil and natural gas production in the global energy system and economy.