Overview
The PhD program in “Petroleum Engineering” at the School of Mining and Earth Sciences is designed to provide advanced skills and an expert-level knowledge base for individuals planning careers in academia, industry, and research institutions in petroleum engineering.
The program aims to expand knowledge in petroleum engineering through advanced coursework and to develop high-level research skills.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to design and conduct independent, innovative, and high-quality research related to various topics in petroleum engineering. In addition, graduates will be prepared to work in both industrial and academic environments, including positions such as university lecturers, senior researchers, engineers, and product developers.
The program aims to expand knowledge in petroleum engineering through advanced coursework and to develop high-level research skills.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to design and conduct independent, innovative, and high-quality research related to various topics in petroleum engineering. In addition, graduates will be prepared to work in both industrial and academic environments, including positions such as university lecturers, senior researchers, engineers, and product developers.
General information
- Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan
- Language: English
- Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus
- Duration: 4 years
- Total ECTS credit: 240
Program Aims
The program aims to prepare:
- To prepare specialists for advanced careers in (national and international) industry and academia in Kazakhstan, in neighboring countries and internationally.
- To prepare future policy and decision makers for careers in governmental agencies, public service and the socio-economic environment in Kazakhstan, and globally, especially in the energy sector.
- To prepare entrepreneurs who will be able to promote advanced and innovative science-rich technologies in the oil/gas/energy disciplines anywhere in the world.
- To prepare new generation of commercially aware and technologically advanced scientists and technologists to lead future developments in the energy discipline.
- To prepare future academics and researchers in Petroleum Engineering and related disciplines for careers as specialists in universities in the country and internationally.
Key Advantages
- 95%+ job placement rate within 1–2 months of graduation1
- Work in companies: KazMunaiGas, Schlumberger, Chevron, University and more2
- Access to modern labs and industry-standard software for reservoir modeling and well performance analysis.3
- Thesis projects connected with real industry needs4
- Diverse, supportive academic environment with professors from around the world5
- Opportunities to publish research and present at international conferences6
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will be able to:
- Explain and analyze the contemporary research literature in their field of study.
- Critically evaluate all major types of research in their field of study.
- Identify appropriate research topics in their field of study, and generate hypotheses about such topics.
- Plan, conduct, analyze and communicate research in writing and verbally independently.
- Make an original contribution to the knowledge in their area of specialization.
- Explain their research and research findings to others both orally and in written form.
- Present and explain the connections between their research outcomes and the broader field of knowledge in their discipline.
- Disseminate their research findings and to develop their academic/scholarly career through presentations, publications, and national and international networking.
Engages in in-depth research on:
- Complex reservoir modeling
- Advanced geomechanical modeling
- Application of AI and machine learning
- Unconventional resources and frontier drilling
- Innovative technologies for carbon management and sustainability
- Students publish in journals, contribute to global conferences, and work on cutting-edge industry challenges
Curriculum
Core modules
The list of core modules
Main topics required in drilling and production engineering will be covered in this course. In the production section, major applications of production engineering to design, estimate, and optimize production from oil and gas wells will be covered.
Course learning outcomes
1. Recognize the objectives of well planning and the overall process.
2. Perform the various methods of predicting or determining the formation pressure and fracture gradient.
3. Design elements of drilling operation such as drilling fluid, cementing, casing, and drill string and the well profile.
4. Analyze governing equations of a production system and main parameters of different elements such as well, pipelines, and surface facilities.
Course learning outcomes
1. Recognize the objectives of well planning and the overall process.
2. Perform the various methods of predicting or determining the formation pressure and fracture gradient.
3. Design elements of drilling operation such as drilling fluid, cementing, casing, and drill string and the well profile.
4. Analyze governing equations of a production system and main parameters of different elements such as well, pipelines, and surface facilities.
A research plan is developed by the student in collaboration with the Program Advisor or Research Supervisor at the start of the semester outlining the research goals to be accomplished. At the end of the semester the student files a research report which is graded (P/F) by the Program Advisor or Research Mentor (when selected). The “in-progress” grade is submitted and maintained on the student’s transcript; credit is awarded on successful completion of thesis requirements.
Course learning outcomes
1. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process.
2. Prepare accurate research progress reports.
Course learning outcomes
1. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process.
2. Prepare accurate research progress reports.
This course will help PhD students to become more familiar with the literature of the research direction and research topic they choose as their PhD thesis. This course will help students to prepare their research proposal.
Course learning outcomes
1. Evaluate and critique existing research sources and materials in their field.
2. Construct a coherent literature review organized in themes and appropriate sub-topics.
3. Articulate a clear and focused research question.
4. Present a well-argued rationale for the selection of a particular methodology and combination of methods.
Course learning outcomes
1. Evaluate and critique existing research sources and materials in their field.
2. Construct a coherent literature review organized in themes and appropriate sub-topics.
3. Articulate a clear and focused research question.
4. Present a well-argued rationale for the selection of a particular methodology and combination of methods.
Introduction to fundamental concepts in reservoir engineering; Defining reserves; Different methods to estimate oil and gas reserves; Material balance equations for different types of oil and gas reservoirs; Definition and classification of water aquifers and basic concepts for water influx; Well performance behavior and calculation of productivity index; Decline curve analysis; Improved oil recovery methods and Enhanced oil recovery methods.
Course learning outcomes
1. Assess the reservoir characteristics by advanced interpretation for complex reservoir engineering problems.
2. Estimate hydrocarbon originally in place in the reservoir using modern reservoir techniques and tools.
3. Evaluate the reservoir performance using different techniques.
Course learning outcomes
1. Assess the reservoir characteristics by advanced interpretation for complex reservoir engineering problems.
2. Estimate hydrocarbon originally in place in the reservoir using modern reservoir techniques and tools.
3. Evaluate the reservoir performance using different techniques.
Where do our graduates work?
- Career opportunities
- University Lecturer or Professor
- Senior Researcher
- Research Scientist
- Petroleum Engineering Researcher
- Petroleum Research and Development Engineer
- Senior Petroleum Engineer
- Reservoir Engineering Researcher
- Drilling and Well Engineering Researcher
- Production Engineering Researcher
- Energy Technology or Product Developer
- Technical or Research Consultant
- Research Project Manager
- Petroleum Innovation Manager
- Government Technical Adviser
- Energy Policy Adviser
- Research Laboratory Director
- Technology Entrepreneur or Start-up Founder
- Where?
- Universities and higher-education institutions
- National and international research centres
- KMG Engineering
- SLB (Schlumberger)
- Chevron
- KazMunaiGas
- Shell
- TengizChevrOil (TCO)
- Haliburton
- KPO (Karachaganak Petroleum Operating)
- and others in Kazakhstan, UAE, UK, India, and beyond
Admissions & Apply now
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Admission
Admission
53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave
Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan
Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan