The Chairman's Message
Petroleum Engineering is a relatively new industry-specific engineering discipline related to the exploration, development and exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources.
Typically, the realm of a Petroleum Engineer often starts from a few hundreds or thousands metres subsurface and ends at the gate of the refinery. Because we, 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 multi-disciplinary 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 resources and reserves sizes 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 health and safety of all personnel and equipment while protecting the environment from harm.
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 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 (see our most recent employment opportunity announcement). 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 a lifestyle that is as exotic as it get.
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 fluids laboratory and instrument room; and a subsurface and surface production laboratory. Our computer and simulation labs are equipped with the same state-of-the-art software that our graduates will use in their jobs. We are one of the few petroleum engineering Programs IWCF-approved and accredited training and certification programs in drilling engineering.
We enjoy a close working relationship with the management and technical personnel of ADNOC, its operating companies and our international shareholder supporters. This relationship has been instrumental in fostering and developing our educational program outcomes to include competencies required by our students' eventual employers, and in planning for focused research programs that will meet both our sponsors' needs for new technology and the PI's needs to be engaged in cutting-edge technology development to continue growing our scholarly activities.
Because of the commitment of our parent company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and our international shareholder supporters (BP, JODCO, Shell, Total), The Petroleum Institute enjoys a level of support that enables us to provide facilities and equipment and attract faculty of a caliber that ensures a top quality education for the youth of the United Arab Emirates.
It is a very exciting time to be at The Petroleum Institute as it grows into a world-class engineering college and prepares new generations of youth to steward this country's vast natural resources! As a member of the faculty, it is especially exciting for me to be a part of this while living in the beautiful Abu Dhabi, the capital of the friendly United Arab Emirates and one of the safest cities in the world.
Hemanta Sarma
Professor and Chairman, Petroleum Engineering Program
