Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) B.E(Pet)

2009

Program Outline

Petroleum engineers seek to recover oil and gas on a sustainable basis at minimum financial and environmental cost. Their tasks focus on extracting the maximum possible amounts of oil and gas from underground rock formations or reservoirs. This requires the practical application of advanced science and engineering principles, beginning with  mathematical modelling of the size and nature of the reservoir, optimum well locations,  the planned implementation of suitable surface facilities, and finally the prediction of liquid and gas flows during the recovery process. For example, the oil may need to be forced out of reservoir rocks by pumping water or gas under pressure into wells drilled for that purpose. Hydraulic or chemical techniques are often required to fracture or stimulate formations to induce higher flow rates. One of the current challenges is to produce petroleum from deepwater reservoirs, where the ocean depth may exceed 10,000 metres.

A key feature of this program is the integration of traditional petroleum engineering topics with topics in petroleum geoscience and management, leading to a skill set that matches both the current needs of the industry and the way it operates. The petroleum engineering degree builds a strong foundation of mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology/geophysics, computer applications and engineering. Over the course of the program, the emphasis of the subjects studied changes from more general engineering to specific petroleum-related topics. It also has a strong focus on management and business related aspects. These are a particular focus of the School and make its teaching curricula unique. Many staff members have had recent industry experience, further enhancing the relevance of the curriculum to the modern petroleum industry. Petroleum producing companies will provide extensive practical field experience as an essential part of the program.

Program Structure

A key feature of this program is the integration of traditional petroleum engineering topics with topics in petroleum geoscience and management, leading to a skill set that matches both the needs of the industry and the way it operates. 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, physics and chemistry 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 and optimisation engineering and reservoir modelling). Aspects of management are also introduced. These are a particular focus of the School 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 of approved work experience.

Related Programs

• Master of Petroleum Business Management
• Master of Petroleum Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering in Pharmaceutical Engineering
• Bachelor of Engineering in Sustainable Energy Engineering (Chemical)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Environmental)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Structural)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) 
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) and Bachelor of Engineering (Mining)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Science (Geology and Geophysics)

Admission Information

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant?

2008 CSP IB	31
SATAC Code	314951
2008 CSP TER	86.05
HESS group	General
Annual tuition fees	Commonwealth-supported place: $7,412
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Year 12 applicants

You must not have completed more than 4 years full time equivalent university study (96 units). You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).

Prerequisites

SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Studies, Specialist Mathematics, Physics

IB: Mathematics (HL grade 4), Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4)

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Chemistry

Alternative entry pathways

• Higher Education applicants
  You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA.
• VET applicants
  You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award.
• Special Entry applicants
  You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 35% and the quantitative component contributes 65% to your overall score. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
• Without formal qualifications?
  You may be eligible for our special access schemes.

How to Apply

SATAC Code: 314951

Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission

International applicants

Not an international applicant?

International TER	80
IELTS Total	6 [more info]
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $23,000
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Prerequisites

Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics

Equivalent Scores

International TER	80
IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing	6 5.5 5.5 6 6

How to Apply

Application information for international students

Important application deadlines for international students

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results?

International TER	80
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $23,000
Mid-year entry?	Yes
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Prerequisites

SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Studies, Specialist Mathematics, Physics

IB: Mathematics (HL grade 4), Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4)

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Chemistry

Areas of Specialisation

Petroleum Engineering

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Career Opportunities

Petroleum engineers supervise and improve drilling and petroleum-producing operations. 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 are employed in very diverse range of occupations including well-log analyst, drilling engineer, production engineer or reservoir engineer. A well-log analyst evaluates a well's potential and a drilling engineer is responsible for finding oil and gas, designing and drilling the well as cheaply as possible. The job of a production engineer is to analyse and optimise the performance of individual wells, to determine how to bring the fluid to the surface and to develop a system of surface equipment that separates the oil, gas and water.

Potential careers

Petroleum Exploration, Petroleum Engineer

Graduate Attributes

Educational Goals

• Be practical, employable and qualified petroleum engineers that can successfully pursue careers in the oil and gas production and services industries or other similar pursuits.
• Understand the fundamental principles of science and engineering behind the technology of petroleum engineering, in order to keep their education from becoming outdated and to give them the capability of self-instruction.
• Serve society by encouraging the ideals of ethical behaviour, professionalism, and environmentally responsible use of natural resources.

Graduates of the program should demonstrate

• The ability to apply the knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology, economics, computing, and engineering to solve petroleum engineering problems.
• The ability to formulate and solve petroleum engineering problems using modern techniques, tools and experimental procedures.
• The ability to apply the knowledge of modern valuation and decision-making methods to optimise the use of corporate and personal resources.
• The ability to design processes or systems to solve petroleum engineering problems.
• The ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
• The ability to work in teams and interact with colleagues and the public in an ethical, professional and safe manner.
• An appreciation of and an ability to continue to engage in lifelong learning.

Professional Accreditation

This program is accredited by The Institute of Engineers Australia.

Program Rules

Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences

Further Information

Useful Links

• Engineering Undergraduate Program Information Leaflet
• Australian School of Petroleum
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre Enquiry Form