1. Introduction to Petroleum Engineering

This module introduces petroleum engineering, its importance in the international energy industry, and the contribution of petroleum engineers in exploration, drilling, and production. The challenges facing the industry, advances in technology, and career prospects are what the students will study.

2. Petroleum Industry Overview

This section discusses the organization of the petroleum industry, which consists of upstream (exploration & production), midstream (transportation & storage), and downstream (refining & distribution) segments. Students will learn major players, market forces, and economic factors that affect the oil and gas industry.

3. Origin, Discovery, and Development of Hydrocarbons

This module discusses the geological origin of hydrocarbons, the mechanisms of their accumulation, and past discoveries that influenced the petroleum industry. Some of the topics covered are decomposition of organic matter, formation of reservoir rocks, and significant oilfield discoveries globally.

4. Hydrocarbon Prospects of Petroleum Plays

Students will analyze various petroleum play types (conventional and unconventional), such as shale gas, tight oil, and deepwater reservoirs. The course will cover future direction, sustainability challenges, and alternative energy effects on hydrocarbon demand.

5. Petroleum Resources Distribution

The study of petroleum reserves worldwide, principal oil-producing areas, and geopolitical considerations impacting resource distribution is covered in this section. The role of OPEC, energy policy, and economic importance of principal oil-abundant regions will be the subject of student study.

6. Drilling Operations: Offshore and Onshore

Thorough examination of drilling methods utilized in onshore and offshore situations. Some topics include:

• Onshore Drilling: Shallow and deep well drilling, land rigs, and environmental issues.
• Offshore Drilling: Platforms (fixed, floating, and subsea), deepwater challenges, and safety protocols.

7. Rig Functions and Components

Rig types (rotary, cable tool, and hydraulic) including their mechanical systems and operations procedures will be discussed. Critical rig components include the derrick, drawworks, mud pumps, and rotary table.

8. Well Planning and Design

Well planning is presented from the engineering perspective to cover:

• Site selection and geological surveys
• Well trajectory design (vertical, directional, and horizontal drilling)
• Risk assessment and mitigation measures

9. Drill Bits and Applications

A detailed discussion of various types of drill bits (roller cone, PDC, diamond) and how to choose them depending on formation hardness, drilling rate, and cost-effectiveness.

10. Drilling Fluids (Mud) and Their Functions

In this section, the functions of drilling fluids are discussed as:

• Cooling and lubricating the drill bit
• Cutting removal from the wellbore
• Wellbore stability and pressure control

11. Casing and Cementing in Well Construction
Students will learn:

Casing types (conductor, surface, intermediate, production)

• Cementing techniques for well integrity
• Wellhead installation and blowout prevention
• Our in-depth Petroleum Engineering Diploma course at United College of Technology in Rawalpindi provides students with both theoretical understanding and practical skills required for a successful professional career in the energy sector.