Academic Catalog 2016–2017

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Bachelor of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering

Overview

Lebanon is located in the heart of the oil production region, and it is bound to become a petroleum producing country. A petroleum engineer is expected to oversee the entire process of fuel extraction from the exploration phase until the drill rig is removed.

The B.E. in Petroleum Engineering at LAU has been designed to equip students with the fundamental skills required to achieve lifelong professional growth. The program covers the areas of well exploration and evaluation, well drilling and production phase, process engineering and life cycle management of wells, and 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.

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 B.E. in Petroleum Engineering 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

The vision of the program is to prepare graduates to be technically competent, talented, creative, and ethically responsible engineers who are effective professionals in today’s work environment. Staying abreast of the latest technical software enables them to enrich their lives and make valuable contributions to their communities.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, graduates of the B.E. in Petroleum Engineering will

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

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.E. in Petroleum Engineering, students will acquire the following skills, knowledge, and behaviors:

a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
c. 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;
d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
e. An ability to identify, to formulate, and to solve engineering problems;
f. An understanding of one’s professional and ethical responsibility;
g. An ability to communicate effectively;
h. A broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
i. A recognition of the need and the ability to engage in lifelong learning;
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues; and
k. 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.

Curriculum

The total number of credits required for graduation is 150 credits as per the following:

  • Six Technical Elective courses;
  • Eight courses with a separate industry standard software laboratory or physical laboratory sessions;
  • Elective Track courses for emphasis depending on student’s interests and current market needs;
  • Software and Physical Laboratory to enhance the learning the learning experience and improve employment opportunity; and
  • A minimum residency of four years including three summer terms.

LAC Core Courses (12 cr)

  • ARA2xx Arabic Language (3 cr)1
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr)
  • ENG203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr)
  • HLT201 Basic Health (1 cr)
  • PED2xx Physical Education (1 cr)
  • ETH201 Moral Reasoning (1 cr)

1 or ARA3xx Arabic Literature (3 cr)

LAC Elective Courses (15 cr)

  • 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)

Mathematics and Science Core Courses (12 cr)

  • CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr)1
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr)1
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr)

1LAC Sciences

Other Engineering Required Courses (31 cr)

  • CIE200 Statics(3 cr)
  • CIE202 Mechanics of Materials (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) 1
  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr)
  • GNE305 Professional Ethics (1 cr)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr)

1 LAC Sciences

Petroleum Engineering Required Courses (65 cr)

  • PTE200 Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (3 cr)
  • PTE204 Geology for Petroleum Engineers (3cr)
  • PTE310 Transport Processes through Porous Media (3 cr)
  • PTE320 Reservoir Petrophysics (3 cr)
  • PTE321 Petroleum Engineering - LAB (1 cr)
  • PTE322 Fundamentals 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)
  • 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 Elective Courses (18 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 Technical Elective course approved by the Program Steering Committee.

Note that all Technical Electives courses require at least senior standing in addition to their relevant prerequisites

Sample Study Plan

First year

Fall (16 cr)

  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr)
  • CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr)
  • CIE200 Statics (3 cr)
  • PTE200 Introduction to Petroleum Engineering (3 cr)
  • COE201 Computer Proficiency (1 cr)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr)

Spring (17 cr)

  • ARA2xx Arabic Language (3 cr)2
  • CIE202 Mechanics of Materials (3 cr)
  • MTH206 Calculus IV (3 cr)
  • MEE241 Dynamics (3 cr)
  • PTE204 Geology for Petroleum Engineers (3 cr)
  • HLT201 Basic Health (1 cr)
  • MEE211 Engineering Graphics (1 cr)

2 or ARA3xx Arabic Literature (3 cr)

Summer (6 cr)

  • ENG203 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 cr)
  • LAC Elective (3cr)

Second Year

Fall (17 cr)

  • CIE302 Structural Analysis I (3 cr)
  • CIE303 Structural Analysis - SOFT (1 cr)
  • MEE301 Thermodynamics (3 cr)
  • PTE320 Reservoir Petrophysics (3 cr)
  • PTE321 Petroleum Engineering Lab (1 cr)
  • INE320 Engineering Economy (3 cr)
  • GNE331 Probability and Statistics (3 cr)

Spring (17 cr)

  • CIE320 Fluid Mechanics (3 cr)
  • CIE321 Fluid mechanics Lab (1 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)

Summer (9 cr)

  • GNE301 Professional Communication (2 cr)
  • MTH304 Differential Equations (3 cr)
  • ETH201 Moral Reasoning (1 cr)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr)

Third year

Fall (16 cr)

  • 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 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)
  • PTE471 The Petroleum Engineering Profession (2 cr)
  • PTE472 Modeling and Computer Applications (3 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)

Summer (6 cr)

  • PTE498 Professional Experience (6 cr)

Fourth year

Fall (15 cr)

  • PTE543 Life Cycle and Risk Management (3 cr)
  • PTE573 Detailing for Petroleum Engineers (2 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)
  • PED2xx Physical Education (1 cr)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr)

Spring (15 cr)

  • PTE601 Capstone Design Project (3 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)
  • PTExxx Technical Elective (3 cr)
  • LAC Elective (3 cr)