About Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Petroleum and natural gas engineering involves the design and application of systems of natural resource discovery, production, processing, and transportation. The program at West Virginia University is one of only three ABET accredited programs encompassing both petroleum and natural gas engineering in the country.

The Department provides educational programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The curriculum blends scientific and engineering fundamentals, oral and written communication, and computer applications, followed by drilling engineering, production engineering, reservoir engineering, and stimulation design, all leading to a capstone design course.

Faculty members are active in research in a wide range of specialties within petroleum and natural engineering, including fluid flow-through porous media, reservoir characterization, natural gas production and storage, formation stimulation and fracturing, drilling engineering, and environmental remediation. The Department is developing a broad scientific base in extraction technology.

PNGE Research

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Employment Outlook

Graduates of the Department are in heavy demand, receiving excellent job offers both close to home and around the world. Because West Virginia University is centrally located near major oil and gas fields, our students have the opportunity to interact with members of our industry. Through site visits, seminars, summer jobs, and socialization, students get to know these industry personnel on a personal and professional level.

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Mission

To offer educational programs in petroleum and natural gas engineering based on engineering analysis, earth and physical science, economics, and engineering and design aspects of oil and natural gas extraction; discover and develop new techniques and processes for the efficient and economical extraction of oil and gas resources consistent with human health, ethics, safety, and environmental needs; give professional advice and provide technical assistance to West Virginia's industry, government, and citizens, in matters concerning the extraction and field processing of petroleum and natural gas; and disseminate scholarly and technical knowledge through publications, audiovisual materials, presentation of papers, seminars and symposiums, short courses relevant to the needs of West Virginia and the industry worldwide.