Perspective on the Evolution of Petroleum Engineering Education in the New Millennium

Abstract

Abstract Engineering education, in general, has been undergoing significant changes in recent years with the arrival of groundbreaking technology. Because of this technological revolution, globalization of the economy, and changing perspective on energy issues, the education of petroleum engineers needs to evolve to meet the challenges of the future petroleum industry. The petroleum industry has become more service oriented and diversified than ever before. This will lead to the role of an engineer as a creator of public goods, which are not necessarily tangible, as warranted by the industry. The objectives of this study are to identify the critical challenges facing petroleum engineering education today, to analyze the vision of petroleum engineering in future, and to develop a plan to meet the future educational challenges. The tools available for petroleum engineering education in the past and in the present are reviewed, and those expected to dominate the 21st century are analyzed. The impact of new technological devices on the delivery, quality, scope, and recipient of petroleum education is critically evaluated. The evolving shift in learning model from a traditional, school based one to a non-conventional, virtual one is discussed. The areas of petroleum engineering education that need improvement are highlighted. It is clear that engineering education will be challenged as never before to shape the nature and quality of life in the new millennium. Engineering education must be proactive to meet these challenges. Introduction Petroleum engineering can be defined as the practical application of the natural sciences, geology, and nearly all of the branches of engineering to the development, recovery and field processing of petroleum. It incorporates a variety of science and engineering courses to provide a broad basic preparation. It is generally believed that formal studies in petroleum technology began at the University of Pittsburgh1 in the year 1910. In the following decade, ten more of the present petroleum engineering departments had their conception or birth in various states such as California, Missouri, West Virginia, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Two world wars and development of the internal combustion engine led to an ever increasing demand for petroleum based fuels, which spurted the demand for petroleum engineers and petroleum engineering programs. Thus, petroleum engineering was born out of the need of an industry and it quickly grew to encompass and define the distinctive technology related to the production of petroleum. Education of an Engineer In recent decades, it has become customary to regard university education as an important part of being an engineer2. However, this has not always been the case. In the past, there existed periods when universities and engineers had no connection with each other. There probably are still a few practical people who regard a university graduate with considerable suspicion as the graduate comes to an engineering job. This is particularly true of petroleum engineering where empirical wisdom often supercedes theoretical knowledge gained through university education. Engineering profession combines the traditions of a master craftsman and that of the natural sciences2. In addition, education of an engineer must also include acquaintance with art, literature and social sciences. Petroleum engineers are often called upon to address problems in almost all phases of engineering. Consequently, the education of a petroleum engineer must offer a well rounded and varied engineering background3. Since the ability to communicate clearly is tied with the ability to think clearly and logically, emphasis must also be placed on good oral and written communication skills.