Top 5 Petroleum Engineering Programs in Canada
The debate for the best petroleum engineering schools in Canada has been at the back of academia’s mind since the program first formed. In this article series, MyCanadianUniversity.com will provide an overview of the 5 best petroleum engineering schools in Canada.
Please note: this is a 5 part series, each article provides an exhaustive overview of the best petroleum engineering programs in canada for each school and program. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Oil is the oxygen that keeps our societies functioning; it is the single greatest contributor to human growth since the
discovery of fire and can be found in almost every single aspect of modern day society. It also pays very well, therefore it is no surprise that Petroleum Engineering attracts many bright engineers to study its bearings.
Future petroleum engineers are charmed by the prospects of massive wealth, hefty privileges, frequent traveling, impromptu work schedules and the luxurious lifestyle that is usually associated with people working in oil companies. In fact, joining the petroleum processing profession is often viewed by many as a brave walk into a money-cult and myriad work opportunities with big multinational oil or military companies.
However, there are plenty of questions that must be answered first: What is petroleum engineering? Does it matter where you take your petroleum engineering course? Are the expectations true? Can one achieve them by becoming a petroleum engineer?
What is Petroleum Engineering?
Petroleum Engineering is the field of study that is related to the production of either crude oil or natural gas. It is part of the subsurface discipline that focuses on maximizing the amount of oil from reservoirs. Petroleum Engineering has been and continues to be one of the highest paying engineering disciplines.
Petroleum Engineering Salary
The average salary is around USD$125,000 and for those with experience it can range from $170,000 to $250,000. The only problem? – Spending all that monetary deliciousness could be a challenge. We here at MyCanadianUniversity.com will be more than willing to help you in that department ;). Donuts for everyone!
Petroleum Engineering Schools in Canada
If you have been embracing a great fondness for petroleum engineering as a preferred career, then opting to study in Canada is a great step, particularly in the big oil and gas region around Alberta. The country has made great advances in the career, thanks to the pressing needs for skilled, qualified and competent petroleum engineers who can overcome the new challenges of petroleum processing.
Most of the Canadian petroleum engineering schools are located primarily around petroleum production regions while a number of Canadian oil companies conduct in-house training for petroleum engineers. There are a variety of Canadian oil processing training programs, from certificates, diplomas to BSc degrees. A student can study petroleum engineering at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, University of Regina, Dalhousie University and University of Alberta.
Why the University of Alberta is one of the best for Petroleum Engineering
While petroleum engineering is considered a highly lucrative career, completing the BSc program at the University of Alberta is a huge bonus. At the university, the two different worlds of hands-on practical applications and broadly extensive curriculum coalesce to sharpen the skills of the engineer. In a sense, the graduate engineer from the university learns to approach problems analytically, communicate effectively and think globally. The program is structured to ensure that students work in teams that are organized according industry-style settings while the college’s senior students are tutored on comprehensive and integrated project design.
The degree program sets off with drilling of discovery wells, runs through the drilling process, reservoir, facility tasks, production, and ends with designing of water-flood installations. The graduates are taken through both theoretical and practical training on recovery, improvement and processing of crude petroleum. They also learn to
drill wells, recommend the best places to locate wells, determine the quantities of hydrocarbons inside any well and to plan out precise well completion techniques. Significant twists include non-technical training on the economic, environmental and social issues that complement engineering projects, ensuring that the graduates fully comprehend more than just the technical aspects of petroleum business.
The BSc program in petroleum engineering offered at the University of Alberta incorporates courses in exploration and development of the fields for oil and gas, and is founded on proper study of physics, geology and engineering sciences. The engineering training consists of disciplines such as drilling, petroleum geology, geophysics, formation evaluation (often called well logging), economics, well engineering, reservoir simulation, artificial lift systems, reservoir engineering, and engineering principles of oil and gas systems and facilities. University of Alberta has on-campus core fluids lab, analysis lab, drilling and fluids completion lab and a well-equipped natural gas lab. There are also regular field trips to the gas and oil wells located in the regions around the university.
More excitingly, this petroleum engineering program is the only Canadian accredited petroleum engineering degree program with a global recognition. The university has offered the program for more than 50 years and, consequently, boasts of experienced lecturers and tutors in petroleum processing. The college also has an established reputation for producing outstanding graduate petroleum engineers. Over time, it has managed to amass both knowledge and equipment for effective training of students in petroleum engineering.
Today, advancements in computer modeling, probability analysis, application statistics, materials, and technologies such as enhanced oil recovery and horizontal drilling have also been included in the BSc training program to ensure that the petroleum engineer’s toolbox is greatly improved. Moreover, the engineers are trained to face and overcome the strenuous challenges of high pressure and temperature, deep-water, desert and arctic conditions and many other operational challenges that demand acute mastery of geo-mechanics, intelligent systems, thermo-hydraulics and a number of critical topics. After completing the program, the graduate can work in consultation and policy making, design centers for oil sands extraction technologies, oil exploration, drilling and processing.
Broadening Horizons through the University of Alberta’s Program
After attaining a bachelor’s degree, the graduate may be interested in specialization. At the University, there are a number of graduate engineering programs to help the students specialize further in their career. The university boasts of a robust society of petroleum engineers that acts as a platform for linking the students to mentors. Students can also access massive discounts on course textbooks and get a right to access to scholarships and to more training in advanced technologies. The university exposes students to significant field experiences and plenty of opportunities.
Apart from just studying in one of the most reputable petroleum engineering schools in Canada, the college exposes graduates to numerous employment opportunities. Individuals who want to work for the big Wall Street Companies such as Conoco, Shell, Chevron and BP can have their dreams come true by studying in the University of Alberta because most of these companies conduct regular recruitments in the university.
What Petroleum Engineers Do After the BSc Program
Petroleum engineering covers all activities associated with the extraction of hydrocarbons from natural gas or crude oil. The graduate would have to confront both exploration and production as critical components of the petroleum oil industry. While earth scientist dwells primarily with exploration of oil and gas, petroleum engineers focus on ways of maximizing hydrocarbon recovery from oil-gas reservoirs. The petroleum engineer estimates the possible recoverable volume of petroleum through an elaborate work with oil, gas and water and a thorough mastery of how they behave within porous rock beds at extremely high pressures. Petroleum engineers work together with geologists to develop and deplete oil reservoirs in ways that bring maximum gains.
There are a number of fields under petroleum engineering. For instance, drilling engineers are specialized in managing technical aspects of production, drilling exploratory and injection wells. Production engineers manage the actions between the reservoir and well, such as sand control, down-hole monitoring equipment, perforations, and evaluation of artificial lift methods and selection of surface equipment for separating produced water, natural gas and oil. Reservoir engineers are involved in optimization of gas and oil through meticulous well placement, proper oil recovery techniques and production rates. After taking basic courses in petroleum engineering, students are usually allowed to specialize in any of these fields.
Dreams Come True
Joining one of the best petroleum engineering schools in Canada allows an individual to realize the dream of becoming a well-paid engineer. Completion of the accredited University of Alberta program allows the graduate to get a certificate that is useful globally. The engineer holding such a certificate can find work in the oil pipelines of Alberta, other Canadian companies and big multinationals on the global scene. Are you interested in a highly rewarding career? If your ability in mathematics, chemistry, pure mathematics, physics, English and physical sciences is remarkable, you can easily qualify for the University of Alberta’s BSc degree in petroleum engineering. Start your petroleum engineering career today at the University of Alberta.
Relevant Links:
- Top 5 Engineering Schools in Canada – Part 1
- Top 5 Engineering Schools in Canada – Part 2
- Top 5 Engineering Schools in Canada – Part 3
- Top 5 Highest Paying Engineering Jobs in the World
- 5 Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in Canada (With Photos)
