Heriot-Watt University, MSc, Oil and Gas Technology

Oil and gas remains one of our major energy resources and the recovery of these resources is increasingly important, just as it was in the last century. What has changed with time is the need to recover more of the reservoir, operating in harsher environments both physically and economically. Equally there are challenges due to changes in knowledge and the relative lack of experience from engineers in the market. Traditionally in the UK, the vast majority of engineers entering the industry do so through two routes; first as facilities or surface engineers - chemical and process, mechanical and electrical engineering working on the processing systems to stabilise fluid from the reservoir. The second route is through the petroleum engineering or sub-surface engineering route which sees engineers develop knowledge and skills necessary to locate, drill and extract oil and gas reserves.

This programme was been designed with the help of the industry to provide a cross over between surface and sub-surface engineering functions with the intent that future oil and gas operations can be better optimised to enhance recovery of the reserves. In order to maximise recovery, surface engineers in an operating company must communicate effectively with the reservoir and production engineers within their own company as well as develop relationships with and assess the work of contractors and vendors when designing and constructing facilities. Therefore, surface engineers need to be competent not only in the areas of process design, pipeline engineering, but also be familiar with reservoir engineering, production technology and a variety of other engineering and management subjects, such as safety and control, management of projects, economics and planning, etc.

The programme contains 8 taught courses covering key topics in surface and sub-surface engineering. Two projects towards the end of the programme provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate their knowledge in the design of a surface facility, and to study a specific topic of interest.