MUSCAT Professors of the Department of Geosciences at RWTH Aachen University in Germany held a two-days trial class in Petroleum Geoscience at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) last week. The course titled "Pressures and seals in petroleum systems" was offered as an introduction for the MSc programme in Petroleum Geoscience that will start at GUtech in September this year.
"The GUtech MSc programme in Petroleum Geoscience is designed for professionals in the field of hydrocarbons. For a number of years now, the oil companies have been desperately short of qualified staff despite the recent economic downturn and the decreasing revenues from the petroleum industry. In the Gulf region a dynamic oil and gas sector has generated a demand for geosciences professionals, which is expected to increase as more manpower-intensive Enhanced-Oil-Recovery (EOR) operations are introduced in the near future. A key strength of our MSc programme is the close link with local companies, which can provide expertise, data and practical help during the course and placements," said Professor Dr. Janos L. Urai, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at GUtech and professor for Geosciences at RWTH Aachen University.
The two-days trial course included theory and practical lessons important for hydrocarbon professions, such as fluid flow, exercises on pressure and fluid flow, faults and seals and pressure measurements in the subsurface. "I enjoy the course, especially the practical lessons. The exercises are very helpful for my day to day work. I am thinking about applying for the MSc programme," said Salim Al Busaidi, Geologist at Schlumberger Oman. Professionals from various international companies in the Hydrocarbon sector such as Petroleum Development Oman, Halliburton Worldwide, Schlumberger Oman and PTTEP Oman Group, attended the trial course.
Professor Dr. Janos Urai and his colleague Professor Dr. Peter Kukla, Head of the Earth Science Department at RWTH Aachen University, are both petroleum geoscientists with many years of experience in academia, research and the industry around the world. In cooperation with PDO, both professors have been conducting research in the South Oman Salt Basin in the South of the Sultanate.
The GUtech MSc programme will focus on areas which are of key importance to the Gulf region's present and future: exploration and production of oil and gas, as well as the supply and sales of energy. The programme will be taught as a part-time course in block courses in the evening and some days of field training on the weekend. The degree programme will be taught in English, including written and oral tests, seminar papers and the Master's thesis. Highly qualified academic staff from both GUtech and RWTH Aachen University will work together to achieve a truly outstanding programme.
Students will take the majority of their courses in Oman, including field-based training with outdoor activities in Oman's world class outcrops. Courses will be taught by faculty staff based in Muscat together with visiting professors from RWTH Aachen University. For these courses, support after the formal teaching period will make use of blended e-learning techniques such as tele-tutoring and videoconferencing. Experienced industry staff will be invited to contribute to the programme to maximise synergies. For modules requiring state-of-the-art analytical equipment, students will be able to elect to travel to Germany to do this work at the RWTH Aachen campus.
A Bachelor of Science in Applied Geosciences or comparable subject from an internationally accredited university, with a GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4 or equivalent result, entitles students to enrol into the Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience. Students with non-accredited degrees may be admitted after passing an entrance examination. A slightly different background can be supplemented by industry experience. As English is the language of instruction at GUtech, students must demonstrate adequate competency in this language (equivalent to at least IELTS 6.0 with no band below 6.0).The MSc programme in Petroleum Geoscience will allow credit transfer from Master of Science level courses (or equivalent) that students might have taken elsewhere and that have sufficient overlap with courses in this Master of Science (for example specialised industry courses that are awarded credit by recognised universities). The final decision on whether entry requirements are fulfilled lies with a selection committee, headed by the Dean of the Faculty of Science at GUtech.
For further details please check out the GUtech website on www.gutech.edu.om or email admissions@gutech.edu.om
-Ends-
© Press Release 2011
