10 Best Petroleum Geology Schools in the World

Imagine a world void of exploration and production of oil and gas. We may all have to fall back to the sun for our source of energy. Well, it takes just the right training to become one of those who discover oil and get fully indulged in its production. And, this article compiles the best Petroleum Geology Schools in the world to aid you to become the best in the field.

The importance of formal education cannot be underemphasized. It is essential that individuals get the right training to actualize their dreams.

For individuals who love adventure and discovery, an academic program that will help you channel your love to a profitable profession exists. Petroleum Geology is one program that could harness your love for adventure.

Petroleum geology origin is traceable to 1861 which saw the formation of anticlinal accumulation of oil. This was carried out by three different geologists within 18 months.

Since then, there have been a lot of innovations and academic programs that explore how to become a certified petroleum geologist.

A glance at the table of contents below will give you an overview of how much information you will get. Especially, where to get the right education that will allow you to explore the profession.

Why Study Petroleum Geology

Well, this course is quite demanding, and only adventurous and focused people are able to complete coursework.

For these set of individuals, petroleum geology is a very exciting course and profession. Basically, nothing seems to be more fun than garnering different types of data such as rock cores from well and well logs.

More interesting is the fact that the collected 3D seismic image is usually used to develop 2D and 3D maps and models of subsurface and distribution of petroleum. Also, lucrative job opportunities exist for petroleum geologists upon graduation.

So, a job that pays your bill and yet is quite adventurous and tasking just the way you love it should be enough reason to study petroleum geology.

You could look out for the best petroleum engineering schools in the world here.

What do Petroleum Geologists Do?

To become a petroleum geologist, you must earn at least a degree in Petroleum Geology. Basically, most industries you apply to will require you to examine structural and sedimentary details of the rock to identify possible petroleum reserves.

Your job description may also entail you to decide where to drill from. Mostly, you will be required to work closely with other technical departments including Geophysics, Petrophysics, and Reservoir Engineering.

You will work together to find and extract oil and gas from existing fields as well as search for potential new targets. Other departments you may work closely with include the Commercial department.

In nutshell, if employed by operators or Geoscience Consultancy firms, your job description will include the following:

• Gathering and studying seismic data
• Building geological models of the reservoir or fields Identify and define the properties of a reservoir
• Assessing the geological risk
• Planning development and exploration of wells
• Compiling charts, reports, and management presentations
• Providing a range of geophysical support and technical advice and guidance within the business
• Using a range of specialist Geosciences technical software, analytical tools, and Microsoft Office suite
• Reporting any breaches of safety procedures to supervision/management
• Participating actively in and promoting company health and safety campaigns, policies, and procedures, alongside ensuring personal safety and that of colleagues at all times

Where Can I work with a Petroleum Geology Degree?

Petroleum Geology graduates can take up the responsibilities of any of the professions listed below in the oil and gas sector, groundwater industry, or Geoscience Consultant firms.

• Associate Technical Professional.
• Borehole Geologist.
• Data Manager.
• Field Engineer.
• Logging Geologist.
• Mudlogger.
• Site Engineering Geologist.
• Well Planning Engineer.

What is the Salary of Petroleum Geology Graduates?

According to payscale.com, the average salary of a petroleum geologist is $107, 432. However, it is important to note that the city, the company you work for, and the years of experience which may determine your position may influence how much you earn as a petroleum geologist.

For geologists in petroleum industries, entry-level salary may start from £21,000 to £23,000, while senior-level managers’ salary ranges from £40,000 to £50,000.

How Much Does it Cost to get a Petroleum Geology Degree?

For a bachelor of science degree in Petroleum Geology, the cheapest schools in The USA offering this program peg their tuition at $18,454.

However, in other schools especially private petroleum geology schools in the USA tuition may be as high as $51,832.

Graduate degree programs may cost as much as $51,832. It is worth noting that bachelor of science programs will last for four years while most masters in petroleum geology take courses in a duration of 12 months or in not later than two years.

Students must note that this is an estimated figure, and living expenses and accommodation may not be included.

Is there any Online Petroleum Geology Program?

Yes with new trends in technological advancement, most universities now offer graduate petroleum geology programs online.

Most petroleum geology programs online provide participants with thorough training in aspects of subsurface geology, geophysics, and geoengineering.

Below is a list of schools offering graduate online petroleum geology programs:

• Western Colorado university
• Heriot-Watt university
• The University of Adelaide
• University of North Dakota
• Royal Holloway University of London
• University of Oklahoma

International students can earn a degree in Petroleum Geology for free. Simply apply to these fully-funded scholarships now.

What are the Best Petroleum Geology Schools in the World?

In selecting the best petroleum geology schools a number of factors were put into consideration. These factors are so essential and should be the basis of your selection of school to attend.

First, all programs in our top ten schools to study petroleum geology are fully accredited by the relevant authorities. In addition, this article considers the acceptance rate for students.

Schools with very low acceptance rates are able to manage their students properly. Mainly, because they have fewer students. Hence, students receive adequate attention from faculty members.

Furthermore, the number of programs is also essential. In fact, it is a major criterion for our best schools for petroleum geology.

Generally, most schools that have more than one option for students in the department offer transitive programs. This will encourage students to earn even a Ph.D. in fewer years.

Lastly, this article puts into consideration the graduation rate of students and faculty to student ratio.

10. Western State Colorado University

Western state Colorado university offers a petroleum geology program for individuals who seek to become geoscientists in the oil and gas industry.

The bachelor of science program in petroleum geology curriculum is designed to prepare students for a career as geoscientists in both the oil and gas industry and governmental agencies.

Graduates from this petroleum geology school can work as resource assessment managers and energy policy managers at Geoscience Consultants firms.

The program combines field experiences at nearby oil and gas industries with stunning study time on campus alongside an opportunity to work one-on-one with professors on independent research projects.

This school for petroleum geology offers classes in small sizes in its state-of-the-art computing facilities. In addition, students will also learn the technical skills required to navigate industry software and datasets.

To get apt information on the basic requirements for this bachelor of science petroleum geology program, use the button below to visit the program’s official page.

PROGRAM LINK

9. University of Arizona

This is absolutely one of the best schools for petroleum geologists. This institution offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in geology. and, courses explore, discover innovate and teach integrative and interdisciplinary earth science.

This program covers tectonics, geophysics, climate and surface dynamics, and earth materials, and geochemistry.

Also, graduate and undergraduate students in this department of earth science are very active in biogeochemistry, climate dynamics, geoarchaeology metrology, and sedimentology.

In addition, students can choose to focus on geophysics, geomorphology, mineralogy, and paleontology.

the faculty encourages interdisciplinary approaches to research in geoscience. This cuts across courses within the department and interdepartmental programs.

Interestingly, students at this college will partake in active research projects with our partners at ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, chevron, freeport-McmorRan, and Newmont.

PROGRAM LINK

8. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University offers a bachelor’s, masters, and doctoral program in petroleum Geology.

This Geology School through its Geoscience program innovates and integrates earth science research, education, and service.

The degree program focuses on preparing students for a wide range of potential career opportunities. Also, it ingrates a wild curriculum to accommodate those who see a future in academia.

Its research program is equipped with exceptional lab facilities and research support.

Also, faculty members are able to help students write proposals, carry out innovative research, publish papers, and participate in national meetings.

According to an official report released by US news, the schools rank 1st in America’s best graduate schools.

PROGRAM LINK

7. University of Texas

The University of Texas offers one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious Geoscience programs in the world. Students can earn a bachelor of science, master’s, or Ph.D. degree from this institution in Petroleum geology.

Both graduate and undergraduate degrees combine rigorous classes with fieldwork experience.

And students get the opportunity of working directly under top-notch scientists from the Jackson School of Geosciences at the school’s research institutes.

These research institutes are world-renowned and avail students all they need to conduct award-winning research with the help of faculty members.

PROGRAM LINK

6. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan -Ann Arbor offers graduate programs through its Geological sciences department.

Students who are keen on advancing their knowledge in earth science can earn a master’s or Ph.D. in Petroleum geology at the University of Michigan.

Basically, the curriculum is designed to provide students with critical and analytical skills. This shapes and aids the student conduct independent and creative research.

The Petroleum Geology program at the University of Michigan is designed to develop broad-minded individuals with a sense of purpose who will exploit the petroleum industry while contributing greatly to the field.

PROGRAM LINK

5. University of California-Berkeley

Though the University of California offers a Geology minor as a bachelor’s program, its master’s program, and research program cover traditional fields of metrology, mineralogy, mineral resources, and structural geology.

This petroleum geology school was the first center of academic geology in the western United States.

Interestingly, students may also decide to focus on a rapidly growing field of micro-biogeochemistry.

To ascertain the requirements for both bachelor of science, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, use the button below to visit the official page of the program. However, The master’s program is open to only students with a background in EPS.

PROGRAM LINK

4. The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide in Australia offers two petroleum geology programs. One is a master of science in geology while the other is a graduate certificate program in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics.

Basically, the programs are geared towards helping students understand our earth and the processes that shape it. Graduates of these programs at this top petroleum geology school will grow to become Geoscientists who are explorers, problem solvers, and innovators.

The graduate certificate program in petroleum geology builds core skills and knowledge for careers in Geoscience. Students who enroll in this course will

• access industry-standard techniques, software, and datasets
• learn from internationally experienced staff
• study exploration and development of geoscience in depth
• build hands-on skills and practical knowledge.

While students who enroll in the one-year intensive master’s degree program in petroleum geology at the University of Adelaide will

• work with internationally experienced staff and senior industry personnel
• access industry-standard techniques, software, and datasets
• study exploration and development of geoscience in depth
• build hands-on skills and practical knowledge
• undertake an advanced research project.

PROGRAM LINK

3. Rice University

Rice University through its Earth, Environmental, and Planetary science offers a petroleum geology program as a Subsurface Geoscience master’s program.

It ranks 25th in the best schools for earth sciences ad 12th for semiology and geophysics according to a US news World Report 2010 rankings.

Petroleum geology programs at Rice University offer courses that cover management, policy, and geophysical exploration methods.

In addition, students can choose to focus on geophysical and seismological knowledge for a well-rounded skill set.

Petroleum geologist students at Rice, benefit from internship opportunities offered through Rice’s partnerships with industry leaders. Some of these industry leaders include Chevron, Shell, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Marathon Oil.

PROGRAM LINK

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Through its department of Earth, atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a BSC program in petroleum geology and an MSc geology 5-year option.

The school’s department traces its origin to the establishment of MIT by geologist Willaim Barton Rogers in 1861.

A course description of Geology programs at MIT indicates that the program curriculum surveys the important aspects of modern sediments and ancient sedimentary rocks.

Also, the program lays emphasis on fundamental materials, features, and processes.

Other areas of focus include textures of siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks, mechanics of sediment transport and carbonate sediments, and sedimentary rocks.

PROGRAM LINK

1. Stanford University

Stanford offers numerous programs through its Earth science department. However, it offers sedimentary and petroleum geology as a research program.

There are over 8 research groups for graduate students to explore at Stanford university.

The petroleum geology graduate program at Stanford allows students to focus on any of these research areas:

• Basin and Petroleum System Modeling Group
• Earth and Planetary Surface Processes
• Geochronology Facility
• Historical Geobiology Research Group
• Paleobiology Research Group
• SCERF: Stanford Center for Earth Resources Forecasting
• Sedimentary Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments Project
• Sedimentary Research Group
• Stanford Project on Deepwater Depositional Systems (SPODDS)

PROGRAM LINK

Petroleum Geology Schools FAQs

Conclusion

The importance of attending a good school to kickstart a career cannot be neglected. For individuals who intend to become petroleum geologists, this article compiles a list of the best petroleum geology schools in the world.

These top geology schools in the world offer the best petroleum geology programs obtainable in the world.

Courses are designed to aid students to understand the nitty-gritty of the profession. Graduates from these institutions usually launch a career as petroleum geologists.

And, most of them excel exceedingly in the field while others delve into other profitable sectors of the economy.

You will definitely find a program that suits your immediate need if you read this article to the end. Well, you can convert your love for adventure into a profitable profession

References

• AAPG.org: Petroleum Geology
• Oil and Gas career: Petroleum Geologist
• Study.com : Aspiring Petroleum Geologists
• Classroom.com: Top Petroleum Geology Schools

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