MSc Petroleum Engineering
The course
- Delivery type
- Day
- Duration
- 1 year (full-time) / 2 years (part-time)
- Intake date
- September, January* (* part-time only)
- Location
- Dubai
Contact
-
Contact
Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
-
Telephone
+971 4 571 7000
Overview
The MSc in Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University is a programme of lectures and project work that encompasses a wide range of petroleum engineering fundamentals pertinent to the modern petroleum industry.
The programme allows students to study specific courses as well as undertake a field development project (with other students) and an individual research project. Project work provides an opportunity for ideas and methods assimilated through lectures and tutorials to be applied to real field evaluation and development design problems. The courses are applied in nature and have been designed so that a graduate is technically well prepared for, and has a sound knowledge of, the industry into which they will be recruited.
The programme has the principal objectives of providing specialist, high quality learning and teaching, along with a range of transferable skills, research awareness and improved employability.
The course also provides flexible study options to interested candidates.
- Full-time students can take four courses in the first and second semester and two projects to complete their degree within a year.
- Part-time students can choose to complete the programme over the course of two years. In each year, they can take two courses per semester and two project in semester 3 of Year 2.”
January entrants
Students starting the MSc Petroleum Engineering in January should note that part-time studies run for four semesters (24 months) + projects (May to August, four months) (total duration 32 months).
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and also accredited and approved by the UK Royal Charter.
All applicants seeking admission must secure recognition for their bachelor's degree through the UAE Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs. The process for obtaining attestation varies depending on whether your bachelor's degree was completed within the UAE or abroad. Ensuring that your degree is attested and recognised by the Ministry of Education is a crucial step in the admissions process.
To learn more about the process of how to obtain the certificate of recognition, please visit the MOE equivalency page.
Course content
Semester 1
- Petroleum Geoscience
- Reservoir Engineering
- Formation Evaluation
- Drilling Engineering
Petroleum Geoscience
Concerns the origin, structure and internal geometry of reservoirs and the creation, migration and entrapment of hydrocarbons. Geological models form the basis for reserve estimation and development planning.
Reservoir Engineering
Concerns the physics, chemistry and flow of petroleum fluids within a reservoir. A range of analytical techniques are used to model fluid flow and for predicting how the reservoir might behave under various development scenarios, an important objective being the maximisation of energy recovered.
Formation Evaluation
Involves the measurement and interpretation of rock properties, such as porosity and resistivity, by means of well bore instruments.
Drilling Engineering
Involves a range of engineering disciplines in the design and safe construction of exploration and development wells. These wells are required either to gather information from or to drain oil and gas reservoirs.
Semester 2
- Well Test Analysis
- Production Technology
- Petroleum Economics
- Reservoir Simulation
Production Technology
Concerns the productivity of oil and gas wells. It includes the design, installation and operation of down-hole and surface systems, to optimise the controlled recovery of pipeline quality crude oil and gas. Safety and the ability to respond to changing situations are important considerations.
Petroleum Economics
Involves understanding the financial implications of engineering decisions, which are normally made in an environment of uncertainty.
Reservoir Simulation
Involves the construction of detailed, mathematical models of reservoirs, as a means of predicting their behaviour and performance.
Semester 3
- Group Design Project
- Individual Project
Group Design Project
Groups of about 10 students are provided with real data from a field, similar to that which would be available to an Operator prior to a development decision. Analysis of this data results in an assessment of the reservoir and leads to the design of an appropriate production system. Through this exercise, students gain valuable insight into the use of imperfect and incomplete data, to the integration of the various taught components of the course and to problems of group interaction. It is also an opportunity to teach a range of transferable skills such as teamwork, presentation and negotiation. During the project students have access to state-of-the-art computer technology and industry standard software. Assessment is by means of a written report and by group presentation.
Individual project
Students are required to carry out a detailed investigation of some topic related to petroleum geoscience or engineering. Projects are offered both by the Institute and by the industry, and normally include a wide choice of experimental research, computer modelling and real oilfield problems. Assessment is by means of both thesis and oral presentation.
Career
Our programmes are recognised by graduate-recruiting businesses around the world, and many of our graduates are employed at the most senior technical and management levels in international oil and gas companies.
Entry requirements
For MSc entry, a good relevant engineering Honours degree (first or second class) with a background in chemical, bioengineering, mechanical, physics, oil and gas or geology with good mathematical competence will be considered. Equivalent overseas qualifications will also be considered.
To find out more about the specific entry requirements for your country, please refer to our International Entry Requirements.
If you hold a degree from a different background and believe you may qualify for this programme or to find out more about the entry requirements for this programme, please send an email to dubaienquiries@hw.ac.uk
English language requirements
Where English was not the medium of instruction during previous education, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5.
Fees and funding
- AED 159449*
* All tuition fees inclusive of VAT
Financial support
We endeavour to arrange financial support for students accepted on to the courses, negotiating annually for industrial scholarships. These are allocated following interviews in early summer.
Scholarships and bursaries
See our range of degree entry, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD scholarships and discounts.