Petroleum Engineering

Program Description

The primary objectives of petroleum engineering are the safe and environmentally sound exploration, evaluation, development, and recovery of oil, gas, geothermal, and other fluids in the earth. Skills in this branch of engineering are needed to meet the world's ever-increasing demand for hydrocarbon fuel, thermal energy, and waste and pollution management.

Graduates of our program are in solid demand, with the petroleum industry offering a wide range of employment opportunities for Petroleum Engineering students during summer breaks and after graduation. Exciting experiences range from field work in drilling and producing oil and gas fields, to office jobs in small towns or large cities. Worldwide travel and overseas assignments are available for interested students.

One of our objectives in the Petroleum Engineering department is to prepare students to succeed in an energy industry that is evolving into an industry working with many energy sources. In addition to developing technical competence in petroleum engineering, you will learn how your education can help you contribute to the development of alternative energy sources such as geothermal and carbon sequestration. Alternative careers exist outside of the petroleum industry too and many petroleum engineering graduates find rewarding careers in the environmental arena, law, medicine, business, and many other walks of life.

The department offers semester abroad opportunities through formal exchange programs with the Petroleum Engineering Department at the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria, Technical University in Delft, Holland, King Fahd University of Petroleum Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Qualified undergraduate and graduate students from each school can attend the other for one semester and receive full transfer credit back at the home university.

The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Petroleum Engineering.

Graduate courses emphasize the research aspects of the profession, as well as advanced engineering applications. Qualified students may continue their education and earn a Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

To facilitate classroom instruction and the learning experience, the Petroleum Engineering faculty recommend that all petroleum engineering students have notebook computers. Recommended specifications for the computer can be obtained from the CSM Academic Computing & Networking webpage.

The Petroleum Engineering Department encourages student involvement with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the American Association of Drilling Engineers, and the American Rock Mechanics Association. The department provides some financial support for students attending the annual technical conferences for these professional societies.

Marquez (pronounced "Marcus") Hall is home to the Petroleum Engineering Department. A prominent campus landmark, Marquez Hall showcases Mines’ long-standing strengths in its core focus areas and our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation. The building is designed using aggressive energy saving strategies and is LEED certified. Marquez Hall is the first building on the Colorado School of Mines Campus that is funded entirely by private donations.

Available laboratory and computer equipment include:

Computer Laboratory

This computer laboratory is available for general use and classroom instruction. It is continuously open for student use. Software includes more than $5 million in donated industry software used by oil and gas companies and research labs around the world.

Drilling Simulator Laboratory

Rare on university campuses, this lab contains an up-to-date computer controlled, full-scale, graphic-intensive drilling rig simulator. It includes drilling controls that can be used to simulate onshore and offshore drilling operations and well control situations. This lab also has three small-scale drilling rig simulators, identical to those used in industrial well control training facilities.

Reservoir Characterization Laboratory

Rock properties are measured that affect economic development of reservoir resources of oil and gas. Measured properties include permeability, porosity, and relative permeability. Hands on experiences with simple and sophisticated equipment are provided.

Drilling Fluids Laboratory

Modern equipment found on drilling rigs worldwide enables students to evaluate and design fluid systems required in drilling operations.

Fluids Characterization Laboratory

A variety of properties of fluids from oil and gas reservoirs are measured for realistic conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. This laboratory accentuates principles studied in lectures.

Petroleum Engineering Summer Sessions

Two summer sessions, one after the completion of the sophomore year and one after the junior year, are important parts of the educational experience. The first is a session designed to introduce the student to the petroleum industry. Various career opportunities are highlighted as well as showing petroleum field and office operations and geology. In addition, students are indoctrinated in health, safety, and environmental awareness. Petroleum Engineering, a truly unique and exciting engineering discipline, can be experienced by visiting petroleum operations. Historically, the areas visited have included Europe, Alaska, Canada, the U.S. Gulf Coast, California, the Midcontinent, the northeast U.S., and the Rocky Mountain Region.

The second two-week session after the junior year is an in-depth study of the Rangely Oil Field and surrounding geology in Western Colorado. The Rangely Oil Field is the largest oil field in the Rocky Mountain region and has undergone primary, secondary, and enhanced recovery processes. Field work in the area provides the setting for understanding the complexity of geologic systems and the environmental and safety issues in the context of reservoir development and management.

Other Opportunities

It is recommended that all students considering majoring or minoring in Petroleum Engineering sign up for the Introductory course PEGN201, Petroleum Engineering Fundamentals, as soon as possible in their schedules. Also, seniors may take 500-level graduate courses that include topics such as drilling, reservoir, and production engineering; reservoir simulation and characterization, and economics and risk analysis with instructor concurrence (see the CSM Graduate Catalog for course offerings).

Professors

Hossein Kazemi, Chesebro' Distinguished Chair

Jennifer L. Miskimins, Department Head, F.H. "Mick" Merelli/Cimarex Energy Distinguished Department Head

Erdal Ozkan

Yu-Shu Wu

Associate Professors

Pejman Tahmasebi

Luis E. Zerpa, Associate Department Head, Harry D. Campbell Chair in Petroleum Engineering

Assistant Professors

Parisa Bazazi

Yilin Fan

Serveh Kamrava

Teaching Professor

Linda A. Battalora

Teaching Associate Professors

Mansur Ermila

Mark G. Miller

Research Associate Professors

Omid Moradian

Philip H. Winterfeld

Professor Emeritus

Bill Scoggins, President Emeritus

Craig W. Van Kirk, Professor Emeritus

Ramona M. Graves, Professor and Dean Emeritus

Associate Professor Emeritus

Alfred W. Eustes III, Associate Professor Emeritus

Richard Christiansen, Associate Professor Emeritus

Program Educational Objectives (Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering)

The Mission of the Petroleum Engineering program continues to evolve over time in response to the needs of the graduates and industry; in concert with the Colorado School of Mines Institutional Mission Statement and the Profile of the Future Graduate. The Mission of the Petroleum Engineering Program is:

Our mission is to provide the necessary skills at the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels to serve the world in developing conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources, water resources, and geothermal energy, while promoting cutting-edge research to improve resource recovery, advancing technologies to combat environmental problems, such as carbon sequestration and other earth disposal processes, and to foster the socially responsible development of Earth’s resources.

As part of that process, the faculty of the department has objectives that they want to see their alumni accomplish within three to five years from graduation.  The Petroleum Engineering department's faculty and other constituents have affirmed the following Program Educational Objectives:

• Obtain an industry, government, or academic position in petroleum engineering, or a related field, or be pursuing a graduate education in petroleum engineering or in a related field.
• Demonstrate advancement in their chosen careers and exercising leadership in the area of petroleum engineering.
• Continue to develop personally and professionally, and serve others, through continuing education, professional societies, educational institutions, community groups, and other organizations.
• Identify the ethical implications and social impacts of engineering decisions.

To accomplish these objectives, the Petroleum Engineering program has, in addition to the school's graduate profile and the overall objectives, certain student objectives particular to the department and based on the ABET Student Outcomes including:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

These program educational objectives and student outcomes can be found on the Petroleum Engineering Department's webpage under the Colorado School of Mines website. These are also found publicly posted in the ABET bulletin board outside the department offices.

Curriculum

All disciplines within petroleum engineering are covered to great depth at the undergraduate and graduate levels, both in the classroom and laboratory instruction, and in research. Specific areas include fundamental fluid and rock behavior, drilling, formation evaluation, well completions and stimulation, well testing, production operations and artificial lift, reservoir engineering, supplemental and enhanced oil recovery, economic evaluation of petroleum projects, environmental and safety issues, and the computer simulation of most of these topics.

The Petroleum Engineering student studies mathematics, computer science, chemistry, physics, general engineering, geology, the humanities, technical communication (including researching subjects, report writing, oral presentations, and listening skills), and environmental topics. A unique aspect is the breadth and depth of the total program structured in a manner that prepares each graduate for a successful career from the standpoints of technical competence, managerial abilities, and multidisciplinary experiences. The needs for continued learning and professionalism are stressed.

The strength of the program comes from the high quality of students and professors. The faculty has expertise in teaching and research in all the major areas of petroleum engineering listed above. Additionally, many of the faculty members have significant industrial backgrounds that lead to meaningful design experiences for the students. Engineering design is taught throughout the curriculum including a senior design course on applying the learned skills to real world reservoir development and management problems. 

The department is constantly updating the instructional facilities and equipment for laboratory instruction and experimental research. To maintain leadership in future petroleum engineering technology, decision making, and management, computers are incorporated into every part of the program, from undergraduate instruction through graduate student and faculty research.

The department is close to oil and gas field operations, petroleum companies, research laboratories, and geologic out-crops of nearby producing formations. There are many opportunities for short field trips and for summer and part-time employment in the oil and gas industry.

Degree Requirements (Petroleum Engineering)

Major GPA

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the Undergraduate Council considered the policy concerning required major GPAs and which courses are included in each degree’s GPA.  While the GPA policy has not been officially updated, in order to provide transparency, council members agreed that publishing the courses included in each degree’s GPA is beneficial to students. 

The following list details the courses that are included in the GPA for this degree:

• PEGN100 through PEGN599 inclusive

Five-Year Combined Baccalaureate and Master's Degree

The Petroleum Engineering Department offers the opportunity to begin work on a Master of Engineering or Master of Science Degree while completing the requirements for the bachelor's Degree. These degrees are of special interest to those planning on studying abroad or wanting to get a head start on graduate education. 

Students enrolled in Mines’ combined undergraduate/graduate program may double count up to six credits of graduate coursework to fulfill requirements of both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. These courses must have been passed with “B-” or better, not be substitutes for required coursework, and meet all other University, Department, and Program requirements for graduate credit.

Students are advised to consult with their undergraduate and graduate advisors for appropriate courses to double count upon admission to the combined program.

The Petroleum Engineering Department offers the following minor programs:

1. Petroleum Engineering
2. Petroleum Data Analytics

Petroleum Engineering Minor

The PE Department tailors the student’s minor to correlate with their interests in the petroleum industry. There are several paths students can take according to their interests. The core set of required courses for a PE minor are as follows:

The remaining 12 credits can be satisfied by any combination of PEGN courses. Students must consult with the Department to have their sequence of courses approved before embarking on a minor program.

Minor in Petroleum Data Analytics

Program Advisor: Serveh Kamrava

The purpose of this minor is to enhance data analysis skills and to show potential opportunities of data, give students the skill set to manage and analyze the data and use their knowledge of petroleum engineering to make petroleum resource acquisition more economical, safe, and environmentally sound.

Objectives:
By the end of the minor program, students will be able to:
• Collect and pre-process typical petroleum data and to rearrange for use in analysis
• Apply standard probability and statistics methodology to various data constructs
• Analyze data to determine which various regression and prediction techniques would be applicable and to use that analysis process
• To build system algorithms for data information insight
• Use various data analytics analysis and visualization software for the petroleum industry

Minor Requirements

To obtain a Petroleum Data Analytics Minor, students must take a minimum of 18 credits related to Data Analytics.  Seven courses (18 credits) are required, which includes one 3-credit course from a list of technical electives.  Petroleum Engineering students can use any of their free elective classes and take PEGN438 as part of the normal PEGN credit requirements.  See CSM minor requirements here.  Students should begin their classes for this minor by the fall semester of their junior year in order to graduate in four years.

Prerequisite classes

The following classes are required before the students can take Petroleum Data Analytics Minor:
• MATH112. CALCULUS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS II or

• MATH122. CALCULUS FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS II HONORS

• EBGN201. PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS

Required Courses (18 credits)

Courses