Petroleum engineers plan, supervise and improve all petroleum-producing operations, from exploration, exploitation and development to abandonment. They study and understand geologic and engineering principles to predict maximum oil and gas recovery as well as ultimate production and production rates.

Petroleum engineers seek to recover oil and gas on a sustainable basis at minimum financial and environmental cost. This requires the practical application of advanced science and engineering principles, beginning with mathematical modelling of the size and nature of a reservoir, optimum well locations, the planned implementation of suitable surface facilities, and finally the prediction of liquid and gas flows during the recovery process.

A key feature of this program is the integration of traditional petroleum geoscience and management, leading to a skill set that matches both the needs of industry and the way it operates.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) builds a strong foundation of mathematics, physics, geology, geophysics, computer applications and engineering principles. Over the course of the program, the subjects studied change from more general engineering topics to very specific petroleum-related topics.

In the first year students study a range of engineering, mathematics and physics courses that are common to many branches of engineering. They are also introduced to the petroleum industry and to the key geological, physical and chemical principles that govern recovery from petroleum reservoirs.

In the second and third year these areas of study are developed with the addition of a broader range of petroleum engineering and geoscience topics (such as drilling, production engineering and reservoir modelling). There is also a strong focus on management and business related aspects. These are a particular focus of the Australian School of Petroleum and make its teaching curriculum unique.

In the fourth year, students expand their technical and management skills further and undertake a mini research project.

Students are required to complete 12 weeks approved work experience.

• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical - Minerals Processing)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mining)
  

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers are employed in a diverse range of occupations in many different specialties, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.

Graduates could become a reservoir engineer using sophisticated computer models to determine the optimal petroleum recovery process and plan the number, type and location of wells.  Or graduates could become drilling engineers, working with geologists and contractors in designing and supervising drilling operations, or could become production engineers, developing processes and equipment to optimise oil and gas production. Graduates could also find themselves working as managers, entrepreneurs, economists, seismologists, oil and gas analysts, or environmental/safety specialists.

The objective of the undergraduate Petroleum Engineering program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in the University Calendar.

Graduates qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia.

Students are required to complete 12 weeks of approved work experience outside normal class time. Work experience can be undertaken in Australia or overseas.

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