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    ​Master of Science in Drilling Engineering

    (R2/0724/7/0004) (08/2029) (MQA/FA4582)​​

     
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    Introduction

    The MSc in Drilling Engineering program focuses on applying recent advances in drilling technologies and analysis techniques, including well constructions, geomechanics, drilling fluid and cementing, well completion, casing design, project management, economics, well engineering, and well intervention. The aim is gain knowledge in optimized drilling techniques with technical expertise and safety measures.

    The MSc in Drilling Engineering program at UTP stands out as the sole offering of its kind in Malaysia and the region. Its affiliation with PETRONAS ensures strong program support, including the practical training in land rig, IWCF certification, co-teaching by industry experts, and the industry-based individual projects. Graduates will acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills aligned with the oil and gas industry's demands, preparing them for career opportunities in Drilling Engineering, research and development, and even for further studies.
    ​

    Programme Objectives

    1. Drilling Engineers specialists with insights to articulate complex industry problems and solutions. 
    2. Industry leaders with integrity towards sustainable future development through continuous improvement and innovation for the betterment of society.​

    Programme Outcomes

    1. Demonstrate in-depth and frontier knowledge and understanding in the relevant drilling engineering fields.
    2. Critically and creatively apply knowledge in drilling engineering field to resolve complex disciplinary and practical problems.
    3. Conduct credible problem solving or investigation to resolve complex issues and questions in the drilling engineering field or practice.
    4. Conduct research or investigation with minimal supervision adhering to legal, ethical, professional and sustainable practice.
    5. Demonstrate leadership qualities through collaboration with peers and others.
    6. Communicate and interact effectively with peers in the drilling engineering field as well as general audience.
    7. Select and use suitable digital and analytical tool techniques to resolve problems.
    8. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and personal development.


    Programme Highlights

    • Discover the Exclusive Opportunity: Be part of the ONLY programme of its kind offered in Malaysia and the region! Embrace an exceptional learning journey that sets you apart in the industry.
    • Elevate Your Skills through Rig Training: Experience a transformative land rig training, equipping you with vital knowledge on Rig equipment, technical limits, Drilling hazards, and HSE & on-site risk management. Witness firsthand the intricacies of real-time well-drilling activities, amplifying your industry preparedness.
    • Attain IWCF Level-4 Certification: Stand out in the industry with an internationally recognized IWCF Level-4 training and certification. This prestigious certification, valid for 2 years, solidifies your expertise in well control, opening doors to global career opportunities.​

    • Drilling related software is included in the course module and an optional specialised training to gain certification for beginner level.

    Programme Details

    Department:  Department of Petroleum Engineering 

    Intakes: January, May, and September

    Mode of Deliverance: 

    Modular
    Min 1 year, Max 3 years
    Full Time/Full Time ODL

    Entry Requirements
    • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from a recognised university with a CGPA of 2.50 - 2.74 or its equivalent OR;
    • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from a recognised university with a CGPA of 2.00 - 2.49 or its equivalent will require 5 years of working experience and internal rigorous assessment

    Apel.A field:
    • Drilling Engineering

    English Requirements
    • A minimum TOEFL score of 500 or equivalent
    • A minimum IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent
    • Native English speakers or holding a degree with English as the medium of instruction may be exempted from this requirement

    Pre-requisite courses

    ​Bachelor’s Degree from non-engineering relevant will have to take pre-requisite courses as below:
    • Reservoir Engineering I
    • Fundamental of Petroleum Exploration Engineering 
    It will be conducted 100% online
    ​

    Estimated Total Cost Fee
    • RM 70,000 (Malaysian)​
    • RM 100,000 (International)

    Career Prospects
    • Drilling Engineer, Well Intervention Engineer, Well Control Specialist, Directional Driller, Rig Manager, Deepwater Drilling Specialist and etc.

    Programme Curriculum Structure and Programme Module Synopsis

    Each student is required to complete 41 credit hours drives from 12 state-of-the-art courses. The programme curriculum structure is shown as below:
    ​
    ​Course Code​​​​
    ​Course Name
    ​Credit Hours
    ​Course Type
    ​​Semester 1
    ​DCM5013
    DCM5024
    DCM5033
    SCN5032
    DCM5043
    ​Geomechanics
    Well Engineering
    Drilling Flu​ids & Cementing
    ​Research Methodology
    Well Completion
    Total (Semester 1)
    ​3
    4
    3
    2
    3
    1​5
    ​Core
    Core​​​​
    Core
    National Requirement
    Core
    ​Semester 2
    ​SCU5013
    DCM5053
    DCM5063
    DCM5073
    DCM5084
    DCM5093
    ​Data Analytics
    Project Management & Economics​
    Well Intervention and Abandonment
    Advanced Well Design and Operation
    Well Construction
    Individual Research Project 1
    Total (Semester 2)​
    ​3
    3
    3
    3
    4
    3
    19
    ​University Requirement
    Core
    Core
    Core
    Core
    Project
    ​Semester 3
    D​CM5107
    ​Individual Research Project 2
    Total​
    ​7
    7
    ​Project
    ​​​Total Credit Hours
    ​41



    ​Programme Module Synopsis

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5013
    ​Geomechanics​
    ​​3 credits

    ​This module plays a major role in understanding the wellbore stability, formation pressure, structural geology and stress analysis. The presence of the wellbore and the pressure of the drilling fluid induce changes in the stress state or in the rock. As a result, the rock around the borehole may fail if the redistributed stresses are greater than the rock strength. This course addressed subject on structural geology, formation rock, leak off test, application of geomechanics in unconventional hydrocarbon, formation pressure, wellbore stability, fracture gradient and stress analysis.n understanding the wellbore stability, formation pressure, structural geology and stress analysis. 

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5024
    Well Engineering
    ​​4 credits

    This module focuses on imparting theory and knowledge of functions, materials and design of casing and tubulars that enables the students to have the skills to analyze the drilling window and kick tolerance. This course also evaluates the conformance to safety factors under applied external and internal loadings using both manual and computer simulation to select the optimum casing design taking into consideration all API standards. Additionally, students will be able to design drill string and bits to prevent drill string failure Landmark software is a key tool used in this course. Students will also be able to evaluate torque and drag associated with each trajectory, operating limits to prevent buckling, and pressure drops for different pipe sizes to select the best drill pipe option​.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5033
    Drilling Fluids & Cementing
    ​​​​​​3 credits

    ​Drilling fluids are critical to maintaining well control and wellbore stability throughout the drilling operation. This course provides an overview of the various types of drilling and completion fluids, mud circulating system, and common drilling fluid properties and measurements. Drilling fluid performance evaluation as well as the fluid requirements for deviated wells & HTHP wells are presented. The second part of this course presents the fundamentals of cementing rheology and cementing basis of design to allow students to design cement slurry that satisfies well requirements and API standards. Finally, cementing challenges, liner cementing design considerations and cement evaluation steps & tools are discussed.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5043
    Well Completion
    3 credits

    This course covered most of the well completion system such as, type of well completion (upper and lower completion equipment and design), sand control, fracturing, formation damage and treatment solutions, intelligent completion, subsea completion (including Deepwater), well testing design and operation, well head tree and artificial lift (ESP, Gas lift, Rod pump,...etc).

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5053
    Project Management & Economics
    ​​3 credits

    The student will learn project management economics and management principles and able to apply this knowledge in managing upstream project.  Student will learn on how to apply the critical project and risk management concepts that are required to run drilling projects in a safe, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly manner.  This course will also be provide an overview of exploration and production project economic evaluation, risks and uncertainty and how to manage them.  The student will also learn concepts of project finance and administration, and supply chain management.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5063
    Well Intervention and Abandonment ​​
    ​​3 credits

    This course provides a comprehensive overview of the Well Intervention techniques, tools and technology used as part of the wells operation in production and abandonment phases.  The conveyance included in this course are not limited to wireline, Coil Tubing and new technologies in well intervention. The design phase for well intevention operation is covered to give exposure to students on planning and execution of work. The concept  and philosophy of well integrity and the applicable industry guidelines and standards in production and abandonment phases are also shared. An overview of the Subsea component and Subsea  intervention concepts are outlined. Hydraulic workover unit (HWU) as conveyance to perform workover and recompletion is also included in the content inclusive the design, selection and concept of the operation. Students will also be able to discuss the concept of Plug & Abandonment together with the industry regulations and standards.​

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5073
    Advanced Well Design and Operation
    ​​3 credits

    This course presents the main principles and considerations for designing HPHT, Extended Reach Drilling and deepwater wells. The course also describes in detail the operation challenges of the drilling practices related to HPHT, Extended Reach Drilling and deepwater wells along with explaining the technologies involved.  Mechanism of stuck pipe prevention and procedure are taking part of this course. Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) techniques is incorporated as key enabers to design and execute narrow margin and carbonate wells​.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5084
    Well Construction
    ​​3 credits

    This module provides a broad understanding of the essential principles of Well Construction and Well Systems through the medium of classes and Land Rig Hands-on Practices. During the land rig training, students will be able to gain knowledge on the area of HSE in drilling and drilling equipment and operation. Key themes include Drilling and Operations Management, logistics, Rig types & BOP equipment as well as the HSE & Risk management. Drilling Technical Limit which describes a theoretical maximum in safety, efficiency, and production during drilling operations is also part of this module. This module also exposes students to Real-time monitoring & optimization for drilling operations as well as the well control Equipment and procedure.​

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    SCU5013
    Data Analytics
    ​​3 credits

    In this course we explore key data analysis techniques, which can be applied to massive datasets to enable real-time decision making. In particular, we examine the software tools that make possible the efficient analysis of data in near real time. Students are expected to make use of said tools to design highly scalable systems that can process and analyze big data for a variety of scientific, social, and environmental challenges.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    SCN5032
    Research Methodology
    ​​​​2 credits

    The course covers Fundamentals of Research Methodology and Applied Sciences.

    Course Code
    Module
    Credit Hour
    DCM5093​
    DCM5107
    Individual Research Project 1
    Individual Research Project 2​
    3 credits
    7 credits

    The module introduces the principles and techniques involved in managing well engineering and construction operations by developing the students’ knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of drilling and well engineering operations.

    ​

    Contact Information

    Programme Manager
    Dr Dzeti Farhah Mohshim
    Email: dzetifarhah.mohshim@utp.edu.my
    Direct Line: +6053687372

    Academic Executive
    Ms Nini Nabila Razman
    Email: nini.razman@utp.edu.my
    Direct Line: +6053687090

    General Inquiries
    Ms Nurul Asmira Sulaiman
    Email: asmira.sulaiman@utp.edu.my
    Direct Line: +6053688192​

    FAQ 

    1. How does this degree enhance my professional standing?
    The MSc demonstrates expertise in drilling engineering, which can lead to senior-level roles, better compensation, and recognition in the industry.
    2. Is there an internship or industry placement?
    Yes, you will have 4 months internships or industry-based projects to enhance practical knowledge and networking opportunities.
    3. Can I join the programme with a non-engineering background?
    Yes. But you need to take prerequisite courses.