Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering is concerned with design and application aspects of the discovery, production, and transportation of oil and natural gas resources.

Professionals in this field must have a thorough understanding of the geological principles relating to the occurrence, discovery, and production of fluid hydrocarbons.  The petroleum and natural gas engineer must know and be capable of applying both conventional engineering design principles as well as those pertaining specifically to the field of petroleum and natural gas engineering.  These are developed in the petroleum and natural gas engineering courses in the curriculum.  In addition, a strong foundation in mathematics and the sciences broadens the future engineer's professional capabilities.  Because many engineers will be employed as supervisors or executives, managerial and social skills are also emphasized.

Students in PNGE enroll in rigorous individual courses in all basic areas of petroleum and natural gas engineering, basic science, mathematics, geology, and humanities and social sciences. The petroleum and natural gas engineering curriculum also contains significant laboratory components aimed at reinforcing the knowledge gained in the classroom.  In the senior year, technical electives are offered in which the student may obtain additional depth of knowledge in specific areas of petroleum and natural gas engineering technology.  Each student is individually mentored by a member of the petroleum and natural gas engineering faculty.

Students gain practical experience and first-hand knowledge of many aspects of petroleum and natural gas engineering through close proximity to the industry in West Virginia and surrounding states.  Production sites, secondary and enhanced oil recovery projects, compressor stations, gas storage fields, and corporate offices all provide excellent opportunities for our students.  Additional experience is provided through modern, well-equipped laboratories within the department and the University.  Students are urged to gain field experience through summer employment in the industry.

Students are offered the opportunity to enter all phases of the petroleum and natural gas industry in meaningful and important jobs, continue their education towards advanced degrees, or in some cases pursue a combination of professional employment and continued education. The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

• The graduates will be successful in their professional careers as petroleum engineers in the energy industry, government agencies, and/or post-graduate education.
• The graduates will continue to develop professionally and serve in leadership roles.
• The graduates will be successful in demonstrating their obligations to the profession, to their employer, and to society.

The foundation for achieving program objectives is established through a rigorous curriculum that provides the students with:

• An understanding of scientific and engineering principles and the application of these principles in solving petroleum and natural gas engineering problems using modern tools
• An integrated design experience leading to a capstone design course
• A balanced and rounded education to recognize the need for developing technical communication and teamwork skills, as well as understanding the engineer's professional, ethical, and societal obligations

Upon graduation, all Bachelors of Science of Science in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering students will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

• Must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale for general admission.
• Must meet English Proficiency or request conditional admission and admission to the Intensive English Program (IEP).
• Please be advised that some Engineering majors may reach capacity and therefore will be restricted from entry.
• For direct admission to some colleges and majors, SAT or ACT scores are required and must be sent to WVU directly from the respective testing services. Please review the program requirements. For all other majors, international students are encouraged but not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, if available. SAT/ACT scores are useful for determining scholarship eligibility.
• WVU welcomes applications from students with IGCSE and O-Level Certificates from an approved UK exam board for admissions consideration. We require a minimum of five subject passes, of which two must be English and Mathematics. The average of the grades must be at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). A passing grade in the subject of English will be accepted as evidence of sufficient English ability.

1. Review the admissions requirements, English Language Proficiency requirements (scores are for undergraduate levels only) and our undergraduate application deadlines.
2. To apply for an on-campus program, complete either the WVU Application or the Common App and include the nonrefundable fee of $65.
   
   WVU Application The Common App

   To apply for an online program, use the steps for WVU Online Campus applicants.

3. Have your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic or Duolingo English Test scores sent to WVU.
4. Send the following information to WVU:
   • Copies of all official academic records/transcripts in original language of issue (transcripts from U.S. institutions must be sent to WVU directly from the institutions).
   • Copies of all academic certificates or diplomas in original language of issue.
   Note: Original or certified copies of official records/transcripts must be submitted after admission or upon arrival.
   • English translations of academic records/transcripts and certificates/diplomas.