The Role of Petroleum Engineering Education in the Enhancement of Oil and Gas Production

摘要

Education is a primary concern of the international oil and gas industry at present (Ronalds, 2002). Quantitative competence is important, but will not likely separate professionals from their fellow competitors. There is a limit to the progress to be made in the petroleum profession based on technical competence alone. This paper investigates and creates a better understanding of those basic elements which must form part of a petroleum engineer’s education in the new millennium to enhance production and meet demands. In the backdrop of the identified challenges faced by industry, the elements discussed include critical reasoning, business & uncertainty management, leadership, teamwork skills, ethics and professionalism, the humanities, and communication. These help to understand how the petroleum engineer’s education should evolve so as to cope with the changing environment and ensure career success. This study reveals that the petroleum engineer’s soft skills and knowledge of these elements require expansion. Creation of an expanded curriculum is necessary to tap into the subjects that engage the younger generation. Model curricula in selected top petroleum universities are studied to identify areas for emulation and for improvement. Educational models that could help transfer competence to the Third World institutions are proposed.