/ School of Engineering / Department of Industrial & Mechanical Engineering /

Bachelor of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering

 

Program of Petroleum Engineering

Lebanon is located in the heart of the oil production region, and it is certainly bound to become a petroleum producing country. The global price and demand for hydrocarbon fuels is increasing and the Petroleum Engineering (PTE) program is definitely responding to this increasing need. A Petroleum engineer is surely expected to oversee the entire process of fuel extraction from the exploration phase until the drill rig is removed.  

The PTE Program at LAU has been designed to equip the students with the fundamental skills required to achieve lifelong professional growth. The B.E. program covers the areas of well exploration and evaluation, well drilling and production phase, process engineering and life cycle management of wells, as well as the economics of petroleum and its regulations. The program provides a special emphasis on Natural Gas which is the most dominant type of hydrocarbon fuel in Lebanon.

The courses are structured to combine a sound theoretical foundation, experimentation, engineering judgment, application to case studies, and engineering design. Computer simulation and computer controls are highly emphasized through the curriculum.  Petroleum engineers increasingly use advanced computers, not only in the analysis of exploration data and simulation of reservoir behavior, but also in automation of oilfield production and drilling operations. Students will be able to integrate professional, ethical, and environmental considerations into Petroleum Engineering design and problem solving and develop the ability to communicate engineering results effectively. 

The students will learn through active and experiential learning as they will be exposed to rich hands-on experience through several laboratory sessions and field experiences.

Mission

The mission of the PTE Program is to provide a quality education in Petroleum Engineering that combines theory and practice for undergraduate students and to satisfy industry demand for graduates with special education in the oil and gas industries and help graduates enter the market force or pursue further education at the graduate level.

Vision

To prepare our graduates to be technically competent, talented, creative, and ethically responsible engineers who are effective professionals in today’s work environment. We keep them abreast of the latest technical software. This enables them to enrich their lives and make valuable contributions to their communities

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, the graduates of the PTE Program will:

  1. Achieve success in their chosen career path be it professional practice or graduate studies.
  2. Be responsible citizen engineers.
  3. Practice the profession as demonstrated by continued professional employment, job promotion, and expanding career responsibility.

Student outcomes

The students will acquire in their matriculation through the program, the following skills, knowledge, and behaviors:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  4. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
  6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. An ability to communicate effectively.
  8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
  9. Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
  10. Knowledge of contemporary issues.
  11. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for admission may apply to any of the two campuses (Beirut or Byblos) by sending an application to the campus they choose to join. Applicants may apply to LAU as regular or special, sophomore or transfer students. Applications are accepted within the set deadlines and students can join at the start of any semester (fall, spring or summer).

Application forms are available at the Admissions Offices or on the LAU website (www.lau.edu.lb under the “Admissions Office” link), or can be mailed to applicants upon request. Applicants will be evaluated by the School of Engineering Admissions Council and final acceptance will be based on each applicant’s qualifications and the availability of places.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The total number of credits required for graduation is 150. This includes five technical elective courses, and eight courses with a separate industry standard software laboratory or physical laboratory sessions.  Elective courses allow students to choose the emphasis, depending on their own interests and current market needs. Software and physical Laboratory courses enhance the learning experience and improve the marketability of our graduates. A typical schedule over a four-year period, including summer modules, is listed hereafter. Students may elect to take these courses over a longer period of time.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

LIBERAL ARTS CORE CURRICULUM (12 CREDITS)

  • ARA2—/3— / Arabic Language/Literature (3 cr.)
  • ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric (3 cr.)
  • ENG203 / Fund. Oral Communication (3 cr.)
  • HLT201 / Basic Health (1 cr.)
  • PED2— / Physical Education (1 cr.)
  • ETH201 / Moral Reasoning (1 cr.)

LIBERAL ARTS ELECTIVES (12 CREDITS)

  • One course in Social Sciences (3 cr.)
  • One course in Philosophy, Religion, History (3 cr.)
  • One course in Literature (3 cr.)
  • One course in Arts (3 cr.)

*LAC Sciences and Quantitative Reasoning are satisfied through CHM201, MTH201, and GNE331.

MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE REQUIREMENTS (12 CREDITS)

  • CHM201 / Chemical Principles* (3 cr.)
  • MTH201 / Calculus III* (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 / Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 / Differential Equations (3 cr.)

OTHER ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS (34 CREDITS)

  • CIE200 / Statics(3 cr.)
  • CIE202 / Mechanics of Materials (3 cr.)
  • CIE204 / Geology for Engineers (3 cr.)
  • CIE302 / Structural Analysis I (3 cr.)
  • CIE303 / Structural Analysis I-SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE320 / Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • CIE321 / Fluid Mechanics-LAB (1 cr.)
  • MEE241 / Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • MEE211 / Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)
  • MEE301 / Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • INE320  / Engineering Economy (3 cr.)
  • GNE331* / Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
  • GNE301 / Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • GNE305 / Professional Ethics (1 cr.)
  • COE201 / Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS (65 CREDITS)

  • PTE200 / Introduction to Petroleum Engineering   (3 cr.)
  • PTE201  / Petroleum Engineering – LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE320  / Reservoir Petrophysics (3 cr.)
  • PTE310  / Transport Processes through Porous Media (3 cr.)
  • PTE322  / Fundamental of Reservoir Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE330  / Well Drilling (3 cr.)
  • PTE331  / Drilling Fluids –LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE340  / Financial Management of Engineered Assets (3 cr.)
  • PTE431  / Fundamentals of Well Test Analysis (3 cr.)
  • PTE432  / Well Logging and Formation Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • PTE441  / Petroleum Leasing Regulations and Practices (3 cr.)
  • PTE442  / Project Implementation and Outsourcing. (3 cr.)
  • PTE450  / Introduction to Process Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE451  / Petroleum Production Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE452  / Petroleum Production – LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE460  / Natural Gas Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE461  / Natural Gas – LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE470  / Petroleum Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • PTE471  / The Petroleum Engineering Profession (2 cr.)
  • PTE472  / Modeling and Computer Applications (3 cr.)
  • PTE498  / Professional Experience (6 cr.)
  • PTE543  / Life Cycle and Risk Management (3 cr.)
  • PTE573  / Detailing for Petroleum Engineers (2 cr.)
  • PTE601  / Capstone Design Project (3 cr.)

Technical electives (15 Cr.)

  • PTE510 / Structural Engineering of Offshore Platforms (3 cr.)
  • PTE511 / Fundamentals of Subsurface Environmental Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE512 / Fixed offshore Structures (3 cr.)
  • PTE513 / Piping Systems (3 cr.)
  • PTE514 / Offshore Development Practices (3 cr.)
  • PTE515 / Thermal recovery (3 cr.)
  • PTE516 / Process Control and Instrumentation (3 cr.)
  • PTE517 / Industrial Process Management (3 cr.)
  • PTE523 / Advanced Reservoir engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE524 / Reservoir Simulation (3 cr.)
  • PTE533 / Advanced Drilling Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE534 / Advanced Well Test Analysis (3 cr.)
  • PTE544 / Petroleum Project Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • PTE545 / Energy Finance (3 cr.)
  • PTE553 / Advanced Production Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • PTE563 / Unconventional oil exploitation (3 cr.)
  • PTE564 / Unconventional gas exploitation (3 cr.)
  • PTE565 / Water Flooding and Enhanced Oil Recovery (3 cr.)
  • PTE574 / Artificial Lift Design (3 cr.)
  • PTE599 / Directed Studies in Petroleum Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE600 / Topics (3 cr.)

Or any other approved technical elective course by the Program Steering Committee.

Note: All technical electives require at least senior standing in addition to their relevant pre-requisites.

Curriculum

This is a recommended plan of study over a four years period.

First year

Fall   (17 credits)        

  • MTH201 / Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • CHM201 / Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
  • CIE200 / Statics (3 cr.)
  • PTE200 / Introduction to Petroleum Engineering     (3 cr.)
  • PTE201  / Petroleum Engineering – LAB (1 cr.)
  • COE201 / Computer Proficiency (1 cr.)
  • ENG202 / Sophomore Rhetoric (3 cr.)

Spring   (17 credits)

  • ARA2—/3— Arabic Language / Literature (3 cr.)
  • CIE202 / Mechanics of Materials (3 cr.)
  • MTH206 / Calculus IV (3 cr.)
  • MEE241 / Dynamics (3 cr.)
  • CIE204 / Geology for Engineers (3 cr.)
  • HLT201 / Basic Health (1 cr.)
  • MEE211 / Engineering Graphics (1 cr.)

Summer I (3 credits)

  • ENG203 / Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3cr.)

Summer II (3 credits)

  • —- —-   Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective    (3cr.)

Second Year 

Fall   (17 credits)        

  • CIE302  / Structural Analysis I (3 cr.)
  • CIE303  / Structural Analysis – SOFT (1 cr.)
  • CIE320  / Fluid Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • CIE321  / Fluid Mechanics–LAB (1 cr.)
  • MEE301 / Thermodynamics (3 cr.)
  • PTE320  / Reservoir Petrophysics (3 cr.)
  • INE320  / Engineering Economy (3 cr.)                             

Spring   (16 credits)

  • PTE310  / Transport Processes through Porous Media (3 cr.)
  • PTE322  / Fundamental of Reservoir Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE330  / Well Drilling (3 cr.)
  • PTE331  / Drilling Fluids –LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE340  / Financial Management of Engineered Assets (3 cr.)
  • GNE331 / Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)                     

Summer I (5 credits)                     

  • GNE301 / Professional Communication (2 cr.)
  • MTH304 / Differential Equations (3 cr.)

Summer II (4 credits)     

  • ——       Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective    (3 cr.)
  • ETH201 / Moral Reasoning (1 cr.)

Third year                         

Fall  (16 credits)

  • PTE431  / Fundamentals of Well Test Analysis (3 cr.)
  • PTE470  / Petroleum Engineering Design (3 cr.)
  • PTE432  / Well Logging and Formation Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • PTE450  / Introduction to Process Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE441  / Petroleum Leasing Regulations and Practices (3 cr.)
  • GNE305 / Professional Ethics (1 cr.)                             

Spring   (16 Credits)

  • PTE442  / Project Implementation and Outsourcing. (3 cr.)
  • PTE451  / Petroleum Production Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE452  / Petroleum Production – LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE471  / The Petroleum Engineering Profession (2 cr.)
  • PTE460  / Natural Gas Engineering (3 cr.)
  • PTE461  / Natural Gas – LAB (1 cr.)
  • PTE472  / Modeling and Computer Applications (3 cr.)                        

Summer I  (6 credits)      

  • PTE498  / Professional Experience (6 cr.)

Fourth year                      

Fall   (15 credits)                

  • PTE543  / Life Cycle and Risk Management (3 cr.)
  • PTE573  / Detailing for Petroleum Engineers (2 cr.)
  • —- —-   Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective    (3 cr.)
  • PTE —-  Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • PTE —-  Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • PED2—  Physical Education (1 cr.)                         

Spring   (15 Credits)        

  • PTE601  / Capstone Design Project (3 cr.)
  • PTE —-  Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • PTE —-  Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • PTE —-  Technical Elective (3 cr.)
  • —- —-   Liberal Arts Curriculum Elective (3 cr.)