ANNUAL REPORT - The Petroleum Institute

The Petroleum Institute | Annual Report - Academic Year 2011 - 2012
II. The Chairman’s Message
Petroleum Engineering is a relatively new
industry-specific engineering discipline
related to the exploration, development and
exploitation of hydrocarbon resources.
Typically, the realm of a Petroleum Engineer
often starts from a few hundreds or thousands
of metres subsurface and ends at the gate
of the refinery. Because petroleum engineers
deal with the hydrocarbon resources that
is primarily located underground, we also
need to have a sound understanding of
the geoscientific principles and be able
to manage the challenges posed by risks
and uncertainties. Therefore, a total system
approach is critical in the development and
exploitation of hydrocarbon resources while
emphasizing the adaptability to and awareness
of new technology; collaboration in a multidisciplinary
setting; strict attention to the
environmental, health and safety issues; ability
to communicate effectively; thriving in cultural
diversity and being respectful of others; and
last, but certainly not least, the ability to have
fun while learning and working.
Therefore, put simply, as petroleum engineers
our task may include any or all of the following:
• confirm and evaluate the presence of
petroleum reservoir,
• quantify resource and reserve sizes
in order to make investment and
development decisions,
• plan field development programs to
meet technical and economic objectives
during hydrocarbon recovery, including
commitments to clients (refineries, gas
processing plants, etc.),
• develop models and simulate various
recovery processes to optimize ultimate
recovery,
• design and execute drilling programs
to construct wells that produce
hydrocarbons,
• design and operate surface facilities that
process hydrocarbons to meet sales
specifications,
• operate and monitor field production for
most effective recovery,
• all while conducting every activity in a
manner that is consistent with utmost
respect for the health and safety of all
personnel and the safety of equipment
while protecting the environment.
Our curriculum offers a well-balanced total
system approach that blends engineering
theory and practice with geosciences
and management principles, including an
understanding of risks and uncertainties.
Our program is staffed by a teaching and
research faculty and laboratory engineers
with over 150 years of accumulated industrial
experience in petroleum exploration and
production businesses and over 90 years
of experience in university-level teaching
and research, and we continually seek to
build a strong faculty team, supported by
a team of highly competent laboratory and
research personnel. Those who qualify will
enjoy a competitive compensation package,
exemption from most taxes, an exciting and
challenging work environment, and wonderful
travel and recreation opportunities, all while
enjoying an exotic lifestyle.
Our laboratories are world class, equipped
with the state-of-the-art equipment
including a full-size drilling, cementing and
workover simulator in addition to a portable
simulator; a reservoir engineering computer
laboratory with 30 workstations; a reservoir
simulation laboratory with 21 workstations;
a 3-D visualization laboratory; core and
rock mechanics laboratories; hydrocarbon
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