This course is available for study on either a part-time or full-time basis and you may also be able to switch your mode of study part-way through. The full-time mode takes one year to complete, while part-time typically takes three to five years to complete. You will take six mandatory modules, two optional modules and the project/dissertation module.
The structure and content of the award reflect a range of practical interests, such as the need to develop the generic skill of practitioners, familiarity with industry standard software and thematic understanding of ideas and principles associated alongside environmental science. As a result, it features a blend of technical, theoretical, and practical modules designed to develop real-life skills and knowledge for new and existing practitioners.
Considerable emphasis is placed on the use of case study materials, in-class exercises and the use of industry professionals as guest speakers in direct teaching of students. Previous students have considered case studies including: drilling and well integrity in the Ghawar Oilfield; field optimisation and enhanced oil recovery in mature oilfields; the 2010 BP Macondo oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico; and process safety and accident records in European, African, American, Australian and Asian Oilfields, amongst others. Students have also debated issues like the implications of volatile crude oil prices and the glut in oil production/supply vis-à-vis upstream engineering project investments by multinational oil companies.
You will be taught by a highly experienced team with research and academic excellence in the fields of: Hydrocarbon Extraction, Carbonate Geology and Oil Habitat; Reservoir Simulation and Engineering; Formation Evaluation; Drilling, Well Testing, Completion, Workover and Cementation; Health, Safety, Security and Environment; Oil Spill, Response and Remediation; Water and Waste Water treatment; Environmental Impact Assessment; Clean and Renewable Energy; Improved Oil and Gas Recovery; Oilfield Chemistry.