Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
English
Courses
Specialization
GCH631Fundamentals of Petroleum Engineering
2 credits
This course addresses the oil and gas field life cycle from prospect identification, through project commissioning to final abandonment. Students shall earn a firm understanding of the various phases and associated activities along with knowledge and tools relating disciplines across the exploration and production industry.
GCH653Drilling Engineering
3 credits
This course presents the basics of drilling operations. Students will learn to visualize what is taking place down hole. They will go through all drilling steps and techniques and will understand how upstream services interact with the overall drilling process.
GCH654Production Technology
3 credits
This course covers three topics: reservoir production concepts (drive mechanisms, material balance equation, production technology); well performance; and production analysis (production analysis theory, practical exercises on the Topaze Module of Ecrin Software).
GCH655Reservoir Simulation
3 credits
This course covers the topic of reservoir simulation. It teaches students how to build a static and dynamic reservoir model. Bases of reservoir engineering are reviewed and students will be taught how to set up a conceptual model, create various types of grids, input petrophysical parameters and run a numerical model.
GCH657Well Testing
2 credits
This course provides students with basic knowledge of PTA - Pressure Transient Analysis (previously called well testing). Students will understand what is a well test, how it is carried, its types, data inferred from its analysis and workflows adapted for interpretation.
GCH658Petroleum Geology
2 credits
This course aims at providing students with general knowledge in Geology and will emphasis on earth processes pertaining to and affecting the petroleum systems. The course shall cover also reserves estimation, classification and geological modeling.
GCH659Formation Evaluation
3 credits
This course provides students with working knowledge in the field of well logging and formation evaluation. Students will learn and understand logging methodologies and the principles and physics of tools used in acquiring various types of logs. The course will also cover fundamental techniques of well log processing, analysis and petrophysical evaluations.
GCH660Reservoir Engineering
3 credits
The course addresses the petroleum rock and fluids properties their role into the relation of the fluid flow in porous media. The principles of recovery mechanisms and material balance equations for different types of reservoirs will be tackled.
GCH661Petroleum Law and Economics
2 credits
The course provides knowledge of legal aspects of petroleum exploration and exploitation both internationally and in Lebanon. It focuses on regulation of so called upstream petroleum activities and covers the most common contractual and concessionary models in use internationally for exploration and exploitation of petroleum. In addition to Law, the courses tackles petroleum economics and risk analysis and helps understand the theories and methods used to value oil and gas projects.
GCH670Petroleum Laboratory
1 credits
The purpose of this lab is to learn how to identify minerals and rocks in preparation for later labs, including our field trips to investigate the local geology. The course involves also testing of the petro-physical properties of the rocks such as porosity, permeability, fluid saturations and viscosities. Identifying rocks is an important skill and the more you practice, the easier it becomes. You start out by determining the general class of rock — igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary — and then proceed to identify the minerals that make up the rock and then the texture of the rock. Current Version (Software): This course will provide students with working skills on Rockworks17 Software, a subsurface/petroleum Geology Software.
Capstone
GCH691Thesis I
1 credits
This course initiates the Master's thesis process, guiding students to formulate a research topic relevant to chemical engineering. Building upon prior coursework, students will develop a comprehensive research proposal, including a literature review, detailed methodology, and ethical considerations. Emphasis will be placed on project management, research techniques, and effective scientific communication.
GCH692Thesis II
5 credits
Building on GCH691, this course supports students in executing their research plan. Students will conduct experiments, gather, and analyze data, and ultimately produce a thesis of professional quality. The course culminates in a formal thesis defense, where students present their findings and engage in critical discussion with a faculty committee.
Mission
The Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering aims at expanding, strengthening and integrating knowledge and understanding of the upstream sector of the petroleum industry. The program educates engineers for the petroleum industry based on earth and physical sciences, computer-based methods, design, economics and engineering aspects of oil and natural gas extraction. The mission of the program is also to prepare students to succeed in a doctoral program in the extraction and field processing of petroleum and natural gas and to satisfy industry demand for Lebanese petroleum engineers with special education in the oil and gas industries.
Eligibility
The program is suitable for students with a background in mechanical, civil or chemical engineering or in another closely related field. The Master program is open to students from USEK’s Faculty of Engineering and from other universities.
Program Educational Objectives
1. Expand students’ knowledge and skills in petroleum engineering.
2. Prepare students to succeed in a doctoral program in petroleum engineering or related fields.
Program Outcomes
a. Ability to predict reservoir behavior and to maintain and improve oil and gas production.
b. Ability to ethically conduct applied research and engineering design with professional written and oral communication skills.