COVID-19 update for April 6: New public health restrictions and their impact to NAIT (UPDATED)

School of Applied Sciences and Technology

Petroleum Engineering Technology

Sep 07, 2021
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Campus

The location where your NAIT courses will be held.

Credential

The type of certification (degree, diploma, certificate) you will earn after completing your program.

  • Degree - NAIT offers a number of business degrees and applied science and technology degrees accredited by Alberta Advanced Education.
    Applied degree programs offer a stronger emphasis on practical applications of the concepts learned in the classroom
  • Diplomas & Certificates - These credit programs take 1 or 2 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.
  • Journeyman Certificate - Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.
  • Continuing Education/Non-Credit - NAIT offers a wide range of non-credit programs and courses for personal and professional development in a number of interesting and exciting fields. These options are great for people who may be working but are interested in studying as well.

Delivery Options

The flexible schedule options for this course including time of day and full/part-time.

Please note due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these delivery options may shift from term to term. Please consult your program for details on delivery options.

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Length

The average or expected time it will take to complete your program.

Open Studies

Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program.
It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.

International Students

Program availability may be limited for international applicants. Contact your student advisor for more information.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced Credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section and on the Transfer Credit Request Form (PDF), your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Applicants who have successfully completed other post-secondary courses may be eligible for advanced standing in Petroleum Engineering Technology courses. Applicants wishing to investigate this option must present the following:

  • mark transcripts of the previous related training
  • course outlines or adequate description of the courses

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Students in the program can challenge courses in the program. If you have successful work experience in the applicable field, and you can provide evidence of your skills and knowledge to meet learning outcomes for courses within the program, you may be able to challenge courses through PLAR.

For all course challenges, you must first apply to the program, be accepted and have paid your non-refundable tuition deposit. You can only receive credit for up to 50% of any NAIT credit program.

To learn more and to begin the process, read through the following

Please see below for the list of courses available for prior learning assesment and recognition (PLAR) credits in this program. Click on the course name for more information on the evidence required for that course.

Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.

Contact the program for additional information about Advanced Credit.

Program delivery methods for Fall 2021 and later have not been confirmed. Delivery shown is based on current delivery methods amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petroleum Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma program that will prepare you for employment in the upstream (drilling and production) and midstream (pipeline) energy sectors.

The world demand for energy is growing and the oil and gas industry will supply the majority of this energy for decades to come. Western Canada has an abundance of conventional and unconventional energy reserves that provide lucrative careers for petroleum engineering technologists.

Learn from experienced professionals in state-of-the-art labs that utilize industry-standard tools and equipment, working oil and gas systems and high-tech, custom-made simulators.
Grad Employment Rate   Median Starting Salary  

Employment rates reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and do not guarantee future employment opportunities.

Salaries reported by NAIT alumni are for information purposes and are not a guarantee of future alumni income.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

Industry demand continues to grow for well-trained professionals with strong theoretical and practical skills – the kind of skills developed through NAIT's hands-on approach to learning. 

In both classroom and laboratory settings, you'll use custom-made, award-winning drilling simulators to learn rig operations, the safety and science of drilling and well completion processes through virtual reality.

Over the course of the program, you'll be instructed in the major disciplines of:

  • natural gas processing
  • oil and gas production optimization
  • drilling and well planning
  • completions and well interventions
  • formation evaluation and reservoir engineering
  • petroleum geology
  • conventional and enhanced oil recovery
  • project management
  • economics

Petroleum engineering technologists require a special set of skills, keen spatial awareness and the ability to work in a team. The Petroleum Engineering Technology program will ensure you're ready to enter the workforce by showing you how to:

  • Analyze, optimize and calculate economics of well operations and industry projects
  • Select and troubleshoot basic oil and gas facilities
  • Interpret subsurface data to evaluate reservoir potential
  • Adhere to regulatory frameworks to protect personnel, the public, and the environment
  • Demonstrate professional conduct and communication skills

Standardized industry training 

In the second year of the program, you'll complete a 5-day training session a the Energy Safety Canada Oil and Gas Production Facilities in Nisku, Alberta. Here you'll develop an important real-world understanding of theoretical concepts and participate in equipment optimization and process troubleshooting. 

PET Simulation PET students
Petroleum Engineering Technology

Enter the workforce with confidence

Graduates are in high demand in the energy industry in exploration, production and pipeline sectors. Employers include oil and gas companies, oilfield service companies and regulatory agencies such as the Alberta Energy Regulator.

Graduates can find employment domestically, or in oil and gas producing regions around the world. 

Become a trusted professional

Graduates of this program earn a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology. 

Over the course of the program, you'll complete industry certification training that includes TDG, WHMIS, H2S Alive, Standard First Aid, 4th Class Power Engineering Theory and Blowout Prevention (for well service and/or first line drilling supervisors). 

Professional membership

While enrolled in the program, you'll be eligible for student membership in the following professional associations:

After graduation and required work experience, you may also be eligible for professional accreditation. 

Opportunities for advanced education

You may also continue your studies after graduation by pursuing a Bachelor of Technology (BTech). Diploma grads can earn a BTech degree with just two more years of study. Full-time and part-time study options are available. 

Learn more about NAIT's BTech program

Graduates are also eligible for advanced credit towards the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science, Petroleum Engineering – University of Alberta, Montana Tech and other universities with similar offerings
  • Bachelor of Science, Energy Engineering – University of Calgary

Bachelor of Technology

Completion of this diploma qualifies as the first 2 years of NAIT's unique 4-year Bachelor of Technology degree.

Become a certified engineering technologist

Students of this program are eligible for student membership in the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).

Have questions? We've got answers 

Contact Student Service Centre

General program information

  • Bruce Reinders, Program Chair
  • Email: brucer@nait.ca
  • Phone: 780.471.8999

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Bachelor of Technology

Completion of this diploma qualifies as the first 2 years of NAIT's unique 4-year Bachelor of Technology degree.

Become a certified engineering technologist

Students of this program are eligible for student membership in the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET).

Apply to NAIT

Learn how to register through Alberta Post-Secondary Application System (APAS) or begin the application process.

Apply Now How to Apply

Related Programs

Chemical Engineering Technology
Power Engineering Technology
Power Engineering, 4th Class
Water and Wastewater Technician
Instrumentation Engineering Technology

Legend

Term Definition
Open Program still has seats available.
Waitlisting Program is full and qualified applicants are being placed on a waitlist. For information about waitlists, please visit the Waitlist FAQs.

If you’re on a non-competitive waitlist, you should consider NAIT’s Academic Upgrading program or NAIT Equivalency Tests to become a more competitive applicant.

There is no guarantee that waitlisted applicants will be offered a seat, however it is common for seats to become available until the start of class. As seats become available, they are filled from the waitlist.
Closed Program is no longer accepting applications.
N/A Not available for this term.


*Program availability is subject to change without notice.