Centre for Petroleum Geosciences
Introduction
In 2010, the Centre for Petroleum Geosciences was established. The training of world class petroleum geoscientists has become a major challenge in Africa. A recent survey showed that geophysics as a discipline is dying in Africa. The University of Witwatersrand (WITS), one of the few schools of earth sciences has closed its programme in geophysics. The field of Geosciences is becoming increasingly sophisticated in technology and software applications. Our Universities are ill-equipped and under-funded to cope with these challenges. This concern led to the Alliance for Earth Sciences, Engineering & Development in Africa (AESEDA) initiative pioneered by the Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Back home, the need for an industry-oriented Centre where industry experts would be actively involved in the admission process, curriculum development to suit the needs of industry, emerging technologies and software, course delivery and evaluation, field trips, field development (team) and industrial (individual) project supervision, quality control, seminars and Industry Advisory Committee became overwhelmingly necessary hence the establishment of the Centre for Petroleum Geosciences. The MacArthur Foundation sponsors the programme.
Objective
The aim of this professional MSc Petroleum Geosciences programme is to provide graduates in Geosciences with broad-based training required for onshore and offshore oil and gas basin analysis and field development.
On completion of the Masters’ Programme, the graduates will among other skills, be able to:
• Model and Conduct Basin Analysis/ Evaluate Petroleum Prospects,
• Conduct Reservoir Characterization
• Conduct Reservoir and Production Geology Studies to support Reservoir/Production Surveillance
• Participate in Drilling Operations, Mud Logging,
• Conduct Sedimentology Studies
• Participate effectively in multidisciplinary oil and gas field reviews and field development teams
Duration
12 calendar months of intensive full time study. As part of the quality control for the programme, accommodation will be arranged for all students near the Institute.
Award of Degree
Successful students at the end of the programme shall receive a Masters Degree in Petroleum Geosciences. In addition, the students will be presented for the International Well Control Forum (IWCF) Certification.
Admission Requirement
For admission into the programme, candidates must possess a minimum of Second Class (Upper Division) Honours Bachelor's Degree in Geosciences. A good level of English is required. Geoscientists with a minimum of 5 years working experience with Second Class (Lower Division) Honours Bachelor's Degree sponsored by their Companies will also be considered.