B. Eng. (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Well Engineering)

Introduction

This Honours degree course in Mechanical Engineering (Well Engineering) has been developed and is operated jointly by the Department of Technology at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the Fire Safety Engineering College (FSEC). The first three years of the course is delivered at the Fire Safety Engineering College in Oman, with the final year of the course being delivered at UCLan in the UK.

The programme is designed to allow students to systematically and progressively acquire the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively as an engineer in the drilling or service sector of the oil and gas industry.

Through the integration of practical and experimental work with academic development, students graduating from the degree programme are placed in a unique position to embark on a career in the Oil and Gas Industry, or to continue with academic studies. Subjects covered in this four year programme give students an excellent theoretical grounding in Mathematics, Mechanics, Metallurgy, Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Design and CAD, Drilling Operations and Equipment, Well Engineering Management and Well Technology. The programme will also develop communication skills in English to enable effective operation in a managerial role in the Industry.

Students who exit the programme after successfully completing the first year will be awarded, by the University of Central Lancashire, a Certificate of Higher Education in Well Engineering, the second year a Diploma of Higher Education in Well Engineering, and the third year a Bachelor Degree* (equivalent to an “Advanced Diploma” in Well Engineering in Oman.)

Programme Aims and Objectives

The level of education provided by the course is appropriate to those who will eventually hold senior positions within Industry. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on self-motivation, independent critical thinking, analytical depth and practical application. The aims of the course are:

• To provide a programme of study leading to the award of B. Eng (Hons.) Mechanical Engineering (Well Engineering), and which also enables students to exit the programme with appropriate awards.
• To produce resourceful, competent, clear thinking professional engineers with a range of skills and experience relevant to modern industry and in particular to develop a range of competences relevant to Well Engineering.
• To enable graduates to apply engineering principles to realistic situations by acquiring information, assimilating, analysing and applying it to new problems.
• To develop the skills and competences of:
  • Communications e.g. report writing, giving presentations
  • Use of information technology and appropriate computer-based tools
  • Design through the use and selection of software and computer based tools
  • Arithmetic, algebra and calculus appropriate to engineering to enable modelling physical systems for analysis and design
  • Problem solving e.g. develop the ability to analyse and produce solutions to a particular problem
• Individual study skills e.g. time management, planning, use of different information sources

 

Programme Structure

The University of Central Lancashire uses a Modular Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (MODCATS) to enable students to accumulate modules by pursuing planned programmes of study leading to specified awards. The full time programme consists of 6 modules studied each year which are delivered as follows:

Industrial Placement

An optional work placement period with a host company in the Oil and Gas industry allow students an opportunity to further apply and consolidate their knowledge. Successful completion of this period leads to a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education that states ‘…..with Industrial Placement’.

Post Qualification Opportunities

The Oil and Gas Industry will continue to play a vital role in the sustained development of the region and the well being of its people. National workforces supporting this industry continue to grow at a steady pace, but still lack appropriate numbers at technician and engineer levels. Well Engineers play a key role in developing and maintaining the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry and positions in the drilling or service sector of well engineering offers an exciting start to a promising career.

Many of our previous students are employed by leading drilling and service industries, in companies such as: Schlumberger, Nabors, Occidental, Deutag, and Dalma Energy. The honours degree programme will offer accelerated career options in the oil and gas, and their associated service, industries, as well as providing opportunities for careers in other areas of engineering. The programme also enables graduates to continue in higher education to follow post-graduate studies.

* Note on Equivalence of Qualifications

The College offers courses leading to qualifications from the British Affiliated University, University of Central Lancashire. British qualifications are generally recognized throughout the world but it is important to know the equivalence with your local qualifications. In particular, British universities often offer Bachelor Degrees (with Honours). The equivalence of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) qualifications with the Oman Qualifications Framework is as follows: