Christopher Trzeciak

Why Petroleum Engineering?

I chose it because I had a marked interest in the petroleum industry whilst at high school in particular the drilling side of things with it, when looking further into the career path of Petroleum Engineering and weighing up all the possible benefits of being in the industry (ie: international travel, good pay, outdoor work and so on), I decided to apply. On top of all this the thought of working in an industry that produces a resource that the world cannot function without really inspired me also.

What am I learning?

Over the past 2.5 years, I have covered many facets of Petroleum Engineering, although I do know I have a lot more to learn. In particular I have covered content dealing with Reservoir Engineering, Production Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Formation Evaluation and Petrophysics as well as Sedimentology and Stratigraphy and Geoscience in general.

Along with my studies, I am also working at the University of Adelaide for the Co-operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) which aided me to complete the work experience component required for the degree.

I am involved with the Society of Petroleum Engineers Student Chapter at the University of Adelaide, have been since my first year here, starting off as first year student class representative, then succeeded by being the President of the Chapter for 2006-2007.

Where will it take me?

All over the world (hopefully)! Though, this is beginning soon for me as I am going to Stavanger, Norway to study a component of my degree there for one semester.

Thupten Dakthon

Why Petroleum Engineering?

I was born in Malaysia and have been brought up in a petroleum environment of Brunei, where the chief exporting commodity is petroleum. I did not really consider a career in the petroleum industry until a year 11 project in geothermal energy generating where a lot of drilling and reservoir type of characterization was involved. I found that petroleum companies are the leaders in these fields.

This sparked an interest in being a Petroleum Engineer, a job I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. When the opportunity of the degree was offered at the University of Adelaide I was determined to do it and was my first preference with the combination of Chemical Engineering. The thought of the combine degree is the fact that in the petroleum industry deals a lot with fluid flow, phases and chemicals and hence the notion that it would be a good complimenting knowledge for a career in the Petroleum field. The choice for a Chemical Engineering helps cover the full range for possible career paths in the Petroleum cycle.

What am I learning?

The first 2 years in the degree I have been thought a great deal about the petroleum engineering concepts and interpretation. An example of courses that I have so far undertaken are Reservoir Engineer, Production and Facilities Engineering, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Formation and Evaluation, Petrophysics, Petroleum Geoscience for the Petroleum Engineering aspect. The knowledge gained from Chemical Engineering courses like Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics compliment and give a better understanding of characteristics and fluid flow in the reservoir and production of Petroleum.

Where will it take me?

So far the Petroleum Engineering degree has allowed me to work in Brunei and I hope for it to take me all around the world!

Saju Menacherry

Why do a PhD

Why I chose Doctor of Philosophy in Petroleum Geology because of few interesting aspects, in which the primary objective is to know more specialized areas of sedimentology, stratigraphy and petrology in hydrocarbon exploration.

The other factors that interest me in the PhD program in petroleum geology is about the Australian outback travel to see more places integrating the earth science. As petroleum geologist profession will give an international exposure, which also give opportunities to mingle with the other culture and people. Geologists see the world. If you want to travel, and would like to see places most people can't even pronounce, this is the program you need to study. Geology changes the way you perceive time... and you end up thinking a million years is too short a period of time to be all that significant!

What am I learning?

I have learnt about reservoir quality aspects such as sedimentary basin evolution, characteristics of modern sediment and the inferred types of early diagenetic processes.

I have also developed advanced skills in analysis of SEM, microprobe, XRD and XRF as well in sedimentary petrology interpretation, isopach mapping of the stratigraphic units, basin analysis and reservoir quality correlation. I now have understanding of principles of basin analysis, source sediment generation, transportation, deposition and early diagenesis, which are now routinely applied in the field of petroleum exploration.

Where will it take me?

The PhD in petroleum geology will provide a profession as petroleum geologist, where I can enjoy the work of finding and producing hydrocarbons and the people with whom I am routinely interact. In working place, I will be degusting interdisciplinary team working environment and multicultural activities. I can join the professional organizations and associations, which provide avenues for professional growth and socialization.

Each day offers the opportunity to work on "solving the puzzle". Few days are like those that precede it. The challenges, projects, and tasks of petroleum geology are almost infinitely diverse, and can provide a lifetime of interest, study, entertainment and possible fortune.