Program Overview

Course Overview

The course TPG4105, Petroleum Engineering, Basic Course, is a 7.5-credit course offered at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). It is a third-year course, level III, and is taught in English.

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Third-year courses, level III
• Course Start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of Instruction: English
• Location: Trondheim
• Examination Arrangement: School exam

About the Course

Course Content

The course addresses the different steps in the development of an oil and gas field, from exploration to shut-down. Topics included are:

• Petroleum geology: Geological processes, forming and properties of rock formations, structures, reservoir rock formation, accumulation of petroleum.
• Geophysics: Collection and investigation of seismic data, petrophysical and other geophysical data.
• Well drilling: Systems and methods for drilling and well construction.
• Formation evaluation and reservoir engineering: Analysis of data collected by logging and core sampling in the borehole.
• Petroleum production: Well flow calculations, methods for separation of oil and gas, including alternative solutions for oil and gas field development. Furthermore, solutions for increased energy efficiency and a reduced CO2 footprint are discussed.

Learning Outcome

• Ingress: Students are required to have a good overview and understanding of the lifecycle of an oil/gas field.
• Knowledge: The students are required to have a good overview and understanding of the lifecycle of an oil/gas field, including exploration, development, production, maintenance, and shutdown.
• Skills: Students must be able to describe the different stages in the lifecycle of an oil/gas field and understand the most important documents and plans for development and production of an oil/gas field.

Learning Methods and Activities

The course includes lectures and exercises, with the use of programming tools such as MS Excel and Python. Course evaluation is undertaken using a reference group.

Evaluation

• Examination Arrangement: School exam
• Grade: Letter grades
• Ordinary Examination - Autumn 2025: School exam, weighting 100/100, examination aids Code D, date and time to be announced, duration 4 hours.
• Re-sit Examination - Summer 2026: School exam, details to be specified.

Subject Areas

• Petroleum Geophysics
• Deep Drilling Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Petroleum Geology
• Petroleum Production
• Reservoir Engineering

Recommended Previous Knowledge

None.

Course Materials

Relevant literature and lecture notes will be made available by the lecturers.