Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) and Bachelor of Science (Geology and Geophysics) BEP&BScGG

2009

Program Outline

Petroleum Engineers seek to recover oil and gas on a sustainable basis at minimum financial and environmental cost. Their tasks focus on extracting the maximum possible amounts of oil and gas from underground rock formations or reservoirs. This requires the practical application of exacting science, beginning with advanced mathematical modelling of the size and nature of the reservoir, optimum well locations to be drilled, the planned implementation of suitable surface facilities, and finally the prediction of liquid and gas flows during the recovery process. By way of example, the oil may need to be forced out of reservoir rocks by pumping water or gas under pressure into wells drilled for that purpose. Mechanical, hydraulic or chemical techniques are often required to fracture formations to induce higher flow rates. One of the current challenges is to produce petroleum from deepwater reservoirs, where the ocean depth may exceed 10,000 metres!

A key feature of this program is the integration of traditional petroleum engineering topics with topics in petroleum geo-science and management, leading to a skill set that matches both the current needs of the industry and the way it operates. The Petroleum Engineering degree builds a strong foundation of mathematics, chemistry, physics, geology/geophysics, computer applications and engineering. Over the course of the program, the emphasis of the subjects studied changes from more general engineering topics to specific petroleum-related topics. It also has a strong focus on management and business related aspects. These are a particular focus of the School and make its teaching curricula unique. Many staff members have had recent industry experience, further enhancing the relevance of the curriculum to the modern petroleum industry. Petroleum producing companies will provide extensive practical field experience as an essential part of the program.

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Domestic

Selection criteria:	Year 12 applicants 2008 Commonwealth-supported TER: 81.05 You must not have completed more than 4 years full time equivalent university study (96 units). You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Higher Education applicants You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. VET applicants You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Special Entry applicants You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 35% and the quantitative component contributes 65% to your overall score. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
Prerequisites:	SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Studies, Physics plus one of Specialist Mathematics or Chemistry IB: either Mathematics (HL grade 4) and Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4); or, Chemistry (SL grade 5/HL grade 4), Physics (SL grade 5/HL grade 4) & Mathematics (SL grade 5/HL grade 3)
Assumed knowledge:	SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
How to apply:	SATAC Code: 324211 Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Annual tuition fees:	Commonwealth-supported place: $7,412
General enquiries:	Student Centre

International

Selection criteria:	IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing 6 5.5 5.5 6 6 International TER 80
Prerequisites:	Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics
How to apply:	Application information for international students Important application deadlines for international students
Mid-year entry?	No
Annual tuition fees:	International student place: $23,000
General enquiries:	Student Centre

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Level I
Semester 1 GEOLOGY 1103 Earth Systems I (3 units) PETROENG 1005 Introduction to Petroleum Geosciences & the Oil Industry (3 units) MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA * OR MATHS 1013 Mathematics IMA * (3 units) PHYSICS 1100 Physics IA (3 units) Semester 2 PETROENG 1006 Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (3 units) GEOLOGY 1100 Earth’s Interior I (3 units) MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA * OR MATHS 1012 Mathematics IB * (3 units) CHEM ENG 1007 Process Engineering I (3 units) * Students who have undertaken SACE Stage 2 Specialist Maths will be required to enrol in Maths IA followed by Maths IB. Students who have not taken SACE Stage 2 Specialist maths will be required to enrol in Maths IMA followed by Maths IA and Maths IB in summer semester to complete the requirements at Level 1.
Level II
Semester 1 MATHS 2201 Engineering Mathematics I (3 units) C&ENVENG 1010 Engineering Mechanics - Statics (3 units) PETROENG 2010 Drilling Engineering (3 units) CHEM ENG 1008 Engineering Computing (3 units) Semester 2 MATHS 2202 Engineering Mathematics II (3 units) PETROENG 2009 Formation Evaluation, Petrophysics & Rock Properties (3 units) PETROENG 2001 Reservoir Thermodynamics & Fluid Properties (3 units) PETROENG 2005 Sedimentology & Stratigraphy (3 units)
Level III
Semester 1 PETROENG 3005 Reservoir Characterisation & Modelling (3 units) PETROENG 3024 Petroleum Exploration & Management (3 units) PETROENG 3020 Production Engineering & Optimisation (3 units) GEOLOGY 2501 Structural Geology II (3 units) Semester 2 GEOLOGY 2503 Landscape Processes & Environments II (3 units) GEOLOGY 2502 Igneous & Metamorphic Geology II (3 units) PETROENG 3025 Reservoir Engineering (3 units) PETROENG 3019 Structural Geology & Seismic Methods (3 units)
Level IV
Semester 1 GEOLOGY 3016 Igneous & Metamorphic Geology III (3 units) GEOLOGY 3015 Environmental Geoscience Processes III (3 units) GEOLOGY 3017 Petroleum Exploration III (3 units) GEOLOGY 3013 Tectonics III (3 units) Semester 2 GEOLOGY 3019 Field Geoscience Program III (3 units) GEOLOGY 3008 Theoretical Geophysics III (3 units) GEOLOGY 3010 Remote Sensing (S) (3 units) GEOLOGY 3018 Mineral Exploration III (3 units)
Level V (Reservoir Option)
Semester 1 PETROENG 4xxx Decision-Making under Uncertainty IV (3 units) PETROENG xxxx Oil & Gas Resources & Reserves (3 units) PETROENG 4004A/B Petroleum Engineering Honours Project OR PETROENG 4020A/B Petroleum Engineering Design Project (3 units) Elective (3 units) Semester 2 PETROENG xxxx Integrated Field Development Planning & Economic Evaluation IV (6 units) PETROENG 4004 A/B Petroleum Engineering Honours Project OR PETROENG 4020 A/B Petroleum Engineering Design Project (3 units) Elective (3 units)
Electives
PETROENG 4002 Enhanced Oil Recovery (3 units) PETROENG 3007 Well Testing & Pressure Transient Analysis III (3 units) PETROENG 3023 Well Completions (3 units) PETROENG xxxx Reservoir & Project Management IV (3 units) PETROENG 3001 Reservoir Simulation III (3 units)

Useful Links

• Engineering Undergraduate Program Information Leaflet
• Australian School of Petroleum
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form

Program Rules

Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences