University of Wyoming
Petroleum Engineering Program

Petroleum engineering trains students for Wyoming's largest industry, the production of crude oil and natural gas (including coal-bed methane). Recognizing the state's vast reserves of natural gas, the curriculum will also emphasize the production and processing of this important resource. Nationally recognized research in progress at the University of Wyoming includes the areas of enhanced oil recovery, tight gas reservoir and production, enhanced coal-bed methane, and CO2 capture, sequestration and separation. The College of Engineering and Applied Science with the support of its corporate donors, the University of Wyoming, and the State of Wyoming has been able to purchase a CT Scanner and a three phase flow apparatus that has established the best facility of its kind in the world. Extraordinary career opportunities are available throughout most of the world to petroleum engineers.

Curriculum

Development Projects

Key Areas of Need

For more information about this program, please see the following link: (full proposal)

Contacts

Dr. H. Gordon Harris, Professor and Department Head, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, harrishg@uwyo.edu
Sherrie Merrow, Director of Development and Communications, College of Engineering and Applied Science, smerrow@uwyo.edu

• sound preparation in fundamental sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geology
• computer programming, statics, dynamics, materials science, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics
• integrated program in arts, humanities and social sciences
• petroleum engineering courses in the junior and senior years

The department also offers rigorous programs of study leading to the Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in petroleum engineering (http://wwweng.uwyo.edu/chemical/grad/).

• Research Lab (CT Scanner, etc.) – Funded by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) (2006)
• Reservoir Simulation Lab – Funded by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) (2006)
• Rock and Fluids Property Lab – Funded by BP America (2007)

• Drilling and Completion Fuids Lab
  Expected cost for updating is $1M.


• Production Lab
  The estimated cost is at least $1M, including the construction of the lab facility and the following equipment: oil and gas separator, heater treater, gas dehydrator, gas sweetener (amine unit), cryogenic distillation tower, and a compressor.


• Visualization Lab
  $3M is needed to establish a 3-D visualization theater to see inside reservoirs and watch the flow of fluids during production and enhanced oil recovery.


• Research Lab
  $550K is still needed for required remodeling costs. Another $550K is needed for equipment to measure the mechanical properties of rock using ultrasonics, and an ultracentrifuge for measuring relative permeability and capillary pressure.


• Chair/Professorship in Petroleum Engineering
  Endowed chair:  a gift of $2M would become the $4M through the state match.
  Endowed professorship: a gift of $0.5-1M would become the $1-2M through the state match.


• Graduate Fellowships and Scholarships in Petroleum Engineering
  Five fellowships costing $35K annually each
  Undergraduate Scholarships of $5K-$10K each

College of Engineering and Applied Science Dept. 3295, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071 307-766-4253 www.eng.uwyo.edu