Petroleum Technology Initiative

Department of Engineering Technology

Overview

The Petroleum Technology Initiative (PTI) is an industry-coordinated, workforce-directed initiative designed to complement current programs. The program is primarily focused on utilizing industry retirees, as well as Houston area facilities and personnel to teach and/or mentor students.

In the last two years, seven new courses have been introduced as senior electives to the Mechanical Engineering Technology program in the field of Surface Petroleum Operations. In addition to the courses counting as electives within the Mechanical Engineering program, a Petroleum Technology Certificate will be awarded to students who take at least four of the PTI courses. The effort has generated strong interest and support from major companies and organizations, including Halliburton, ExxonMobil, Merrick Systems, FMC, Transocean, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the Association of Wellhead Equipment Manufacturers (AWHEM), and the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

Most recently, PTI has developed partnership opportunities with the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Wiess Energy Hall, to create awareness and industry support for the program. A partnership is currently being discussed with Simprentis, a UK company that has developed a computer-based educational simulation exploration module and plans to extend the package to include development, production, and downstream modules. The future use of these modules should help develop interest in the program, as well as potentially being used as part of the program.

PTI took steps to showcase the University of Houston and its energy programs at the 2008 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) and will attend OTC 2009 to create awareness and industry support for the program. In consultation with industry leaders, PTI is defining the desired skills and competencies of a graduate ready to contribute to the emerging field of Digital Energy. The Society of Petroleum Engineers has granted research funding to support graduate students in Engineering Technology for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. The work involves workflow identification and documentation in Joint Venture Reporting.

For more information about the Petroleum Initiative, please contact Jack Christiansen at 713-743-5874 or email: jhchristiansen@uh.edu.