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M-TECH in Petroleum Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
Dhanbad, Jharkhand
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About the Specialization
What is Petroleum Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad Dhanbad?
This M.Tech Petroleum Engineering program at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad focuses on equipping students with advanced knowledge and practical skills for the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The curriculum is designed to address the complex challenges and technological advancements pertinent to India''''s growing energy demand and exploration efforts.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering graduates, especially from Petroleum, Chemical, Mechanical, or allied branches, seeking specialized knowledge in hydrocarbon exploration, production, and refining. It also caters to industry professionals aiming to update their skills in emerging areas like unconventional resources, data analytics, and energy transition.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to secure roles as Reservoir Engineers, Production Engineers, Drilling Engineers, or Process Engineers in leading Indian and international oil and gas companies. Salaries for fresh M.Tech graduates typically range from INR 8-15 LPA, with significant growth potential into senior technical and managerial positions within 5-10 years.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Petroleum Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand fundamental concepts in fluid flow, reservoir engineering, drilling, and well logging. Utilize textbooks, reference materials, and online courses. Form study groups with peers to discuss challenging topics and solve problems collaboratively.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks by Dake, Craft & Hawkins, Schlumberger Technical Library, NPTEL lectures on Petroleum Engineering, Peer study groups
Career Connection
A strong grasp of fundamentals is essential for cracking technical interviews and building a solid base for advanced subjects and project work.
Excel in Laboratory and Simulation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in all lab sessions for Reservoir Rock & Fluid Properties, and Computer Applications. Focus on understanding the practical implications of experiments and mastering simulation software. Seek additional practice with industry-standard software if available.
Tools & Resources
Departmental labs and equipment, Petrel, Eclipse, Pipesim, HYSYS (if available), Petroleum software tutorials
Career Connection
Practical skills in lab analysis and simulation are highly valued by employers for roles in reservoir modeling and production optimization.
Network and Seek Mentorship- (Semester 1-2)
Attend departmental seminars, workshops, and guest lectures by industry experts. Connect with professors and senior students for academic and career guidance. Actively participate in student chapters of professional bodies like SPE.
Tools & Resources
SPE Student Chapter, LinkedIn for professional networking, Departmental faculty office hours
Career Connection
Early networking helps in understanding industry trends, identifying internship opportunities, and building a professional circle.
Intermediate Stage
Undertake Industry Internships/Training- (After Semester 2 (Summer break) and Semester 3)
Actively seek and complete summer internships or industrial training in oil and gas companies (PSUs or private firms). Focus on gaining hands-on experience in production operations, drilling, or reservoir management to apply theoretical knowledge.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Company websites (ONGC, IOCL, RIL, Cairn), Professional network referrals
Career Connection
Internships are crucial for practical exposure, improving employability, and often lead to pre-placement offers.
Specialize through Elective Choices- (Semester 2-3)
Carefully select elective courses that align with your career interests (e.g., reservoir simulation, unconventional resources, data analytics). Dive deep into the chosen specialization, engaging in mini-projects or extended assignments.
Tools & Resources
Elective course descriptions, Faculty specializing in chosen areas, Online platforms like Coursera, edX for complementary courses
Career Connection
Specialized knowledge makes you a more competitive candidate for specific roles and provides a clear career trajectory.
Participate in Technical Competitions & Projects- (Semester 2-3)
Engage in inter-college technical competitions, hackathons, or departmental projects. Develop innovative solutions to industry challenges, enhancing problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills.
Tools & Resources
SPE Petrobowl, Xploration, Departmental project groups, Open-source data sets for analysis
Career Connection
Showcasing project work and competition wins demonstrates practical skills and initiative, attracting potential employers.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Dissertation/Thesis Excellence- (Semester 3-4)
Select a challenging and industry-relevant dissertation topic. Conduct thorough research, utilize advanced software/experimental techniques, and produce a high-quality thesis. Present your findings at conferences or workshops.
Tools & Resources
Research journals (SPE, AAPG), Advanced simulation software, Faculty research labs, Conference participation
Career Connection
A strong dissertation can open doors to R&D roles, higher studies (Ph.D.), or specialized technical positions in the industry.
Master Interview and Placement Skills- (Semester 3-4)
Prepare rigorously for placements by practicing technical questions related to your specialization and core petroleum engineering concepts. Develop strong communication and soft skills, and participate in mock interviews and group discussions.
Tools & Resources
Placement cell workshops, Online interview preparation platforms, Company-specific interview guides, Mentors for mock interviews
Career Connection
Effective interview skills are crucial for converting placement opportunities into successful job offers.
Explore Post-Graduation Avenues- (Semester 4)
Beyond placements, evaluate options like entrepreneurship in the energy sector, pursuing a Ph.D. in India or abroad, or exploring roles in energy consulting firms. Understand visa processes and global job markets if considering international opportunities.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling services, Alumni network for insights, University websites for Ph.D. programs, Global energy job portals
Career Connection
A well-thought-out post-graduation plan ensures a smooth transition and aligns with long-term career aspirations, whether in academia, research, or industry.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- BE/B.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering/Petroleum Production Engineering/Petroleum Refining Engineering/Chemical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Mining Engineering/Geological Engineering/Applied Geology/Applied Geophysics/Physics or equivalent degree OR M.Sc./M.Tech. in Geology/Geophysics/Physics/Applied Geology/Applied Geophysics OR 5-year Integrated M.Sc. or M.Sc. Tech. Degree in Geological Technology/Geophysical Technology or equivalent degree. Candidates must have a valid GATE score in relevant discipline.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR41001 | Fluid Flow in Porous Media | Core | 4 | Fluid properties, Darcy''''s Law, Steady and unsteady state flow, Multiphase flow, Well performance |
| PPR41002 | Reservoir Engineering | Core | 4 | Reservoir rock and fluid properties, Material balance equations, Volumetric estimation, Drive mechanisms, Principles of EOR |
| PPR41003 | Well Drilling and Completion | Core | 4 | Drilling fluids and hydraulics, Casing and cementing operations, Bit selection and drilling practices, Well control principles, Completion types and design |
| PPR41004 | Well Logging and Formation Evaluation | Core | 4 | Resistivity and porosity logs, Gamma ray and acoustic logs, Log interpretation techniques, Shale properties and effects, Wireline formation testing |
| PPR41005 | Computer Applications in Petroleum Engineering | Lab/Seminar | 2 | Numerical methods, Petroleum simulation software, Data analysis and visualization, Programming fundamentals, Optimization techniques |
| PPR41006 | Reservoir Rock & Fluid Properties Lab | Lab/Seminar | 2 | Core analysis (porosity, permeability), Fluid viscosity and density measurement, PVT analysis experiments, Wettability and interfacial tension, Relative permeability determination |
| Elective-I | Elective - I | Elective | 4 | Student can choose from a list of specialized elective courses, details for which are provided in the curriculum document below. |
| PPR51001 | Advanced Reservoir Engineering | Elective Pool | 4 | Advanced material balance, Heterogeneous reservoirs, Unconventional reservoir engineering, Analytical and numerical methods, EOR principles and application |
| PPR51002 | Offshore Drilling and Production | Elective Pool | 4 | Offshore drilling rigs and vessels, Fixed and floating platforms, Subsea production systems, Deepwater drilling challenges, Environmental considerations |
| PPR51003 | Natural Gas Engineering | Elective Pool | 4 | Natural gas properties, Gas reservoir engineering, Gas processing and liquefaction (LNG), Gas gathering and transmission, Gas storage and economics |
| PPR51004 | Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources | Elective Pool | 4 | Shale gas and tight oil, Coal Bed Methane (CBM), Heavy oil and oil sands, Gas hydrates, Exploration and production technologies |
| PPR51005 | Advanced Well Logging | Elective Pool | 4 | Acoustic and nuclear magnetic resonance logging, Borehole imaging techniques, Dipmeter and formation microscanner, Pulsed neutron logging, Complex log interpretation |
| PPR51006 | Reservoir Simulation | Elective Pool | 4 | Numerical methods for reservoir flow, Finite difference formulations, Black oil and compositional models, Grid generation and properties, History matching and prediction |
| PPR51007 | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Elective Pool | 4 | Waterflooding and gas injection, Chemical EOR (polymer, surfactant, alkaline), Thermal EOR (steam injection, in-situ combustion), Miscible and immiscible displacement, Microbial EOR techniques |
| PPR51008 | Well Testing and Analysis | Elective Pool | 4 | Pressure transient analysis, Wellbore storage and skin effect, Drawdown and buildup tests, Decline curve analysis, Multiphase flow testing |
| PPR51009 | Drilling Optimization and Operations | Elective Pool | 4 | Drilling hydraulics optimization, Directional and horizontal drilling, Managed pressure drilling, Drilling problems and solutions, Drill string design and analysis |
| PPR51010 | Production Optimization | Elective Pool | 4 | Nodal analysis and system optimization, Artificial lift design and selection, Well stimulation techniques (fracturing, acidizing), Flow assurance issues (hydrates, wax), Production surveillance and management |
| PPR51011 | Petroleum Economics and Risk Management | Elective Pool | 4 | Cash flow analysis and economic indicators, Project evaluation methods (NPV, IRR), Risk assessment and mitigation, Fiscal regimes and taxation, Decision analysis under uncertainty |
| PPR51012 | Health, Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry | Elective Pool | 4 | HSE management systems, Risk assessment and hazard identification, Emergency response planning, Waste management and pollution control, Environmental regulations and compliance |
| PPR51013 | Corrosions in Oil & Gas Industry | Elective Pool | 4 | Corrosion mechanisms (electrochemical, microbiologically influenced), Material selection for harsh environments, Corrosion monitoring and inspection, Cathodic protection and inhibitors, Corrosion prevention strategies |
| PPR51014 | Carbon Sequestration | Elective Pool | 4 | Sources of CO2 emissions, CO2 capture technologies, Geological storage options (saline aquifers, depleted reservoirs), CO2 transport and injection, Monitoring and verification |
| PPR51015 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | Elective Pool | 4 | Governing equations of fluid flow, Discretization methods (finite difference, finite volume), Grid generation techniques, Turbulence models, CFD applications in petroleum engineering |
| PPR51016 | Data Analytics in Petroleum Engineering | Elective Pool | 4 | Statistical methods for petroleum data, Machine learning algorithms, Big data visualization and interpretation, Predictive modeling, Optimization in oil and gas operations |
| PPR51017 | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Upstream | Elective Pool | 4 | AI applications in exploration and production, Neural networks and deep learning, Supervised and unsupervised learning, Predictive maintenance and anomaly detection, Digital twin concepts |
| PPR51018 | Geomechanics for Petroleum Engineers | Elective Pool | 4 | Rock mechanics principles, In-situ stresses and wellbore stability, Hydraulic fracturing mechanics, Reservoir compaction and subsidence, Sand production mechanisms |
| PPR51019 | Energy Transition and Future Fuels | Elective Pool | 4 | Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, geothermal), Hydrogen production and storage, Biofuels and sustainable energy, Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), Energy policy and geopolitics |
| PPR51020 | Integrated Asset Modelling | Elective Pool | 4 | Reservoir to surface integration, Production system modeling, Forecasting and optimization, Economic and risk analysis, Decision-making support |
| PPR51021 | Advanced Oil and Gas Processing | Elective Pool | 4 | Advanced separation technologies, Gas sweetening and dehydration, NGL recovery and fractionation, Process simulation and optimization, Environmental aspects of processing |
| PPR51022 | Petroleum Business and Project Management | Elective Pool | 4 | Project lifecycle management, Planning, scheduling, and control, Cost estimation and budgeting, Contract management, Leadership and team management |
| PPR51023 | Petroleum Property Evaluation | Elective Pool | 4 | Reserves classification and estimation, Economic valuation techniques, Risk and uncertainty analysis, Decision tree analysis, Property acquisition and divestiture |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR42001 | Production Engineering | Core | 4 | Well inflow performance, Artificial lift methods, Production optimization, Well completion strategies, Flow assurance |
| PPR42002 | Advanced Petroleum Production Operations | Core | 4 | Production system design, Oil and gas separation, Fluid handling and transportation, Gas processing technologies, Pipeline hydraulics and design |
| PPR42003 | Petroleum Refining Technology | Core | 4 | Crude oil distillation, Catalytic reforming and cracking, Hydrotreating processes, Petrochemical intermediates, Refinery economics and operations |
| PPR42004 | Drilling and Completion Lab | Lab/Seminar | 2 | Drilling fluid property tests, Cement slurry design and testing, Formation damage experiments, Well control simulations, Casing design exercises |
| PPR42005 | Production Operations Lab | Lab/Seminar | 2 | Artificial lift system experiments, Well testing simulation, Multiphase flow characteristics, Flow measurement techniques, Production logging tools |
| Elective-II | Elective - II | Elective | 4 | Student can choose from a list of specialized elective courses, details for which are provided in the curriculum document under Semester 1''''s elective pool. |
| Elective-III | Elective - III | Elective | 4 | Student can choose from a list of specialized elective courses, details for which are provided in the curriculum document under Semester 1''''s elective pool. |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR53001 | Dissertation | Project | 10 | Research problem definition, Literature review and gap analysis, Methodology design, Data collection and preliminary analysis, Report writing and presentation skills |
| Elective-IV | Elective - IV | Elective | 4 | Student can choose from a list of specialized elective courses, details for which are provided in the curriculum document under Semester 1''''s elective pool. |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR54001 | Dissertation | Project | 18 | Advanced research execution, Experimental or simulation work, Comprehensive data analysis and interpretation, Thesis writing and refinement, Final viva voce examination |
