PETROLEUM WITH TRANSITION ENGINEERING

Program "Petroleum with Transition Engineering" (Aktobe Campus)

The "Petroleum with Transition Engineering" program at the Aktobe Campus of Heriot-Watt University prepares specialists to work in the evolving energy industry, focusing on sustainability and low-carbon technologies.

Core Courses

First Year: Fundamentals of Engineering

• English & Study Skills: Development of academic English skills.
• Kazakh Language: Study of the Kazakh language.
• Mathematics: Fundamentals of mathematics for engineers.
• Physics: Application of physical laws in engineering.
• Chemistry: Chemistry for engineering applications.
• Induction to Energy Resources: Introduction to energy resources.
• Materials of Materials A: Fundamentals of materials science.
• Fluid Mechanics: Basics of fluid mechanics.

Second Year: Technical Training

• Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 3: Advanced mathematical skills for engineers.
• Geoscience A: Basics of geoscience.
• Heat Transfer: Study of heat transfer processes.
• Thermodynamics: Fundamentals of thermodynamics.
• Process Design A: Process design engineering.
• Drilling Engineering: Drilling engineering and process management.
• Reservoir Engineering 1: Fundamentals of reservoir engineering.

Third Year: Specialization

• Reservoir Engineering 2: Advanced study of reservoir engineering.
• Production Technology 1: Oil and gas production technologies.
• Formation Evaluation: Evaluation of reservoir parameters.
• Process Health and Safety: Ensuring process safety and occupational health.
• Surface Facilities: Management of surface production facilities.
• Energy Economics: Economic aspects of energy.
• Field Design Project: Field project design in oil and gas production.

Fourth Year: Sustainability and Management

• Sustainable EOR and EGR: Sustainable enhanced oil and gas recovery.
• Transitional Gas Reservoir Engineering: Engineering of transitional gas reservoirs.
• Energy Environment and Global Policy: Energy's impact on the environment and global policy.
• Field Late Life Management: Management of late-stage field operations.
• Final Certification: Final certification and program completion.

Practical Aspects of the Program

• Laboratory Work: Physical and computer labs constitute about 25% of the curriculum.
• Field Trips: One field trip is conducted annually at each stage of study.
• Practical Exercises: Approximately 10% of the curriculum involves practical tasks.
• Group Projects: About 12% of the program focuses on teamwork skills.
• Internships and Placements: Students are encouraged to gain professional experience during long breaks.

Program Advantages

• Interdisciplinary Approach: Combines traditional petroleum engineering methods with modern sustainable technologies, enabling graduates to adapt to contemporary energy industry demands.
• Practical Training: Laboratory work, field studies, and group projects constitute a significant portion of the curriculum, developing professional skills.
• Integration of Theory and Practice: Each theoretical course is accompanied by practical exercises to help students apply their knowledge in real-world situations and projects.
• International Faculty: Courses are taught by professors with global research and teaching experience, ensuring a high level of education.
• Dual Degrees: Graduates receive two degrees: one from Heriot-Watt University, internationally recognized, and another from K. Zhubanov University, confirming qualifications in Kazakhstan.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in traditional petroleum engineering roles as well as emerging areas related to sustainability and energy transition. Potential professions include:

• Petroleum Engineer: Development and management of oil and gas extraction projects.
• Drilling Engineer: Planning, execution, and control of drilling operations.
• Geothermal Energy Engineer: Designing and implementing geothermal energy technologies.
• Carbon Storage Specialist: Development and management of CO₂ capture and storage projects.
• Project Manager: Managing projects in energy transition and decarbonization.
• Oil and Gas Process Engineer: Implementing and optimizing processing and production technologies.
• Sustainability Specialist: Developing strategies and solutions to minimize environmental impact.
• Energy Policy Expert: Analyzing and developing global and local energy strategies.
• Operations Facilities Engineer: Managing surface production facilities.
• Energy Analyst: Assessing the economic and technical performance of energy projects.

This broad specialization enables graduates to adapt to various professional challenges and successfully build careers in international companies and organizations.