Program Overview

Petroleum Engineering Undergraduate Program

The Petroleum Engineering Undergraduate Program at Colorado School of Mines prepares students for success in an energy industry that serves the oil and natural gas industry, as well as exploring different energy sources such as geothermal energy and hydrogen. Rewarding careers in petroleum engineering are in high demand as the world strives to meet the ever-increasing need for energy and carbon management in a sustainable manner.

Program Description

Our undergraduate students immerse themselves in a comprehensive program addressing the full scope of this field. The program values hands-on learning, offering two unique field sessions for students that take them to functioning oil fields in Colorado and across the world. Active student organizations and annual conferences provide opportunities to network with fellow students and industry leaders.

Areas of Focus

The program focuses on the following areas:

• Reservoir: Reservoir engineers study how different types of rocks, liquids, and gases interact to figure out exactly where the oil is and how to get it out.
• Drilling: Drilling engineers focus on how fluids, pressure, and other factors affect drilling.
• Completions: Completions engineers address problems like what pipe designs to use, how to stimulate the well to produce more, or how to analyze and prevent possible environmental damage.
• Production: Production engineers focus on how to get liquids out of the ground and where to transport them.
• Data Analytics: Data analytics engineers analyze huge quantities of data to provide insights on how to make petroleum resource acquisition more economical, safe, and environmentally friendly.

Curriculum

The curriculum incorporates a variety of fields, including:

• Math
• Computer science
• Data analytics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• The humanities
• Technical communication
• Report writing and public speaking
• Environmental issues
• Corporate social responsibility

Summer Sessions

The undergraduate program offers two distinct summer sessions:

• Summer Field Session 1: A one-week session designed to introduce students to the petroleum industry, highlighting career opportunities, petroleum field and office operations, and geology.
• Summer Field Session 2: A two-week summer session focusing on geologic settings and their importance in oil and natural gas production, including an in-depth study of the Rangely Oil Field in Western Colorado.

Minors

Non-petroleum engineering majors may choose from one of the two following minors:

• Data Analytics
• Petroleum Engineering Petroleum engineering majors are eligible for the Data Analytics minor. Complimentary minors across campus that work well with a petroleum engineering degree include:
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Economics

Combined BS & MS Programs

The program offers combined Bachelor's and Master's degrees in:

• Petroleum Engineering: Allows students to double-count six credit hours in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Petroleum + Engineering and Technology Management: Combines a deep understanding of engineering fundamentals with practical business knowledge and leadership skills.

Professional Organizations

The Petroleum Engineering Department partners with various professional organizations, including:

• Society of Petroleum Engineers
• American Association of Drilling Engineers
• American Rock Mechanics Association These partnerships help students learn more about the professional industry of petroleum engineering and offer important networking opportunities.

Exchange Programs

Undergraduate and Graduate students in the Petroleum Department have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs with institutions such as:

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran Saudi Arabia
• IFP-Petroleum Economics and Management, Rueil-Malmaison, France
• Montanuniversitat, Leoben Austria
• Khalifa Institute, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• University of Nicosia, Cyprus
• University of Aberdeen, Scotland
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

Career Opportunities

A career in the petroleum industry may begin anywhere, from a small town to a large city or a remote location. Most petroleum engineers are employed in the exploration for and the production of oil and gas. Others pursue related careers in geothermal energy production, environment protection, and hazardous waste remediation and disposal.

Accreditation

The Petroleum Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Petroleum and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria.