January 2019 Induction Information

Programme of Study MSc Petroleum Engineering

School School of Engineering

School Contact Mrs Debbie McKenzie debbie.mckenzie@abdn.ac.uk

School Office Location Room 188, Fraser Noble Building
School Website https://www.abdn.ac.uk/engineering/

Induction Events from Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 January 2019

Day Event Time, Location and Details

Tuesday Pre-sessional Geoscience workshops - Engineering students are welcome to attend:-
8 January 10:00 – 12:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: Basics of Earth Science Meston 118
14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: The Wilson Cycle Meston 118

Wednesday Pre-sessional Geoscience workshops - Engineering students are welcome to attend:-

9 January 14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: The History of Life Meston 118

Thursday Programme Induction Meeting (all students must attend)

10 January Meeting with the programme co-ordinator
10am, Room FN110 Fraser Noble Building

Friday Pre-sessional Geoscience workshops - Engineering students are welcome to attend:-

11 January 10:00 – 12:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: Exploration and Resources
Meston 118

Compulsory Generic Skills Workshops

Wednesday 16th January (Week 25)

Using the Library, References & Databases
14.00 – Sir Duncan Rice Library, Floor 2, PC classroom 1 and 2 (Room 226 / 227).

Wednesday 20th February (Week 30)

Academic Writing & Avoiding Plagiarism
14.00-16.00 - Sir Duncan Rice Library, 2nd Floor Seminar Room (Room 224).
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Mathematical Skills for Masters Programmes

1. Introduction

This document provides a brief highlight of the mathematical skills expected of

candidates on the Masters degree programmes in the School of Engineering.
Prospective candidate on any of the engineering programmes and specifically petroleum
engineering would find the content of this document useful in meeting the Mathematical
skills required of some of the modules in the courses.

The entry requirements for all of the MSc programmes include holding an
undergraduate degree in Engineering or Science plus few years of relevant work
experience. Taught masters degrees use the mathematical skills acquired during the
undergraduate study to develop new and more advanced learning in a variety of
subjects including reservoir engineering; reservoir modelling and simulation; well and
production engineering to name a few.

The standard textbook used by many academic institutions for undergraduate

engineering courses in the U.K. is K. A. Strouds book `Engineering Mathematics' [1].
The textbook is divided into two parts. The first part deals with foundation issues of
mathematics and contains 12 sections. The second part contains 28 separate learning
programs on a range of topics required by engineers. Part 1 reviews some of the main
topics learnt up to Higher and A-Level in the U.K. while Part 2 constitutes the new
material that is learnt during a university undergraduate degree. The volume ‘Differential
Equations’ [2] provides a very useful self-study guide for the basic concepts in several
differential equation applications including wave propagation in cylindrical and spherical
coordinate systems for well test analysis and design. Further topics are also contained
in `Advanced Engineering Mathematics' [3] and ‘VNR Concise Encyclopedia of
Mathematics’ [4].

In the next section of this document, you will find some of the most important topics that
will be used - to some extent - within the MSc modules.

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M.Sc. Petroleum Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

2. Mathematical Content
The following topics are of particular importance to MSc Petroleum Engineering
applicants / students:
 Foundation mathematics: arithmetic; algebra; equations; graphs; linear equations
and simultaneous linear equations; polynomial equations; partial fractions;
trigonometry; binomial series; differentiation; integration; functions.

o All of Part 1; pages 1-434 of [1].

 Further trigonometry: plane trigonometry, spherical trigonometry and applications.

o Pages 220 – 261 of ref. [4]

 Complex numbers: uses of the number = √−1 , particularly in the description of

random functions and hyperbolic functions.

o Programs 1 and 2; pages 437-494 of [1].

 Determinants: solution method for simultaneous equations. Required in reservoir

and well geometry discretisation; finite difference; finite element method.

o Program 4; pages 521-554 [1].

 Matrices: more advanced solution method for groups of simultaneous equations.

Required in reservoir geometry discretisation; finite difference; finite element
method.

o Pages 373–378 of ref. [4]

o Program 5; pages 555-589 of [1].

 Scalars, vectors and tensors: description of physical quantities in engineering

systems. Required for numerical applications in well, production and reservoir
characterisation.
o Program 6; pages 591-618 of [1] for Scalars and Vectors.

 Differentiation and partial differentiation: rates of change form the basis of much
of the dynamics of flow description in petroleum reservoirs, well, surface and
subsurface production facilities.

o Programs 7-11 pages 619-728 of [1].

 Integration - direct and approximate solutions: application of integration to

engineering problems including area under a function; mean values of functions;
RMS values of functions; surfaces of revolutions; volumes of revolutions; locating
centroids; moments of inertia; second moments of area. Extensively used in
reservoir engineering and simulation, well and production engineering and well test
analysis.

o Programs 15 and 16 for integration theory pages 823-884 of [1];

o Applications in programs 18-20 pages 901-979 of [1];
o Approximate integration in program 21 pages 981-1000 of [1]
o Pages 443 – 449 of [4].

 Multiple integrals: multiple integrals used in reservoir simulation, well test analysis
and geometric description.
o Program 23; pages 1025-1049 of [1]

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M.Sc. Petroleum Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

 Polar co-ordinates: use of polar co-ordinate system in well planning and design.

o Program 22 pages 1001-1024 of [1].

 Differential equations and Laplace transforms: used for the description of
dynamic behaviours of engineering systems. Laplace Transforms used as solution
method for certain types of differential equations.

o Programs 24-26 pages 1051-1138 of [1].

 Further ordinary differential equations: integration by means of power series;
Gaussian differential equation; Bessel equation and Bessel function for the analysis
of wave propagation in cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems for well test
analysis and design.

o Pages 512 – 517 of ref [4];

o Program 5 pages 130-163 of ref. [2].
 Fourier transforms: mapping of time domain functions into frequency domain using
Fourier pairs. Use of both real and imaginary components for well test analysis and
reservoir engineering.

o Programs 6 and 7 pages 172-276 of [3].

 Probability theory and statistics: probability calculus used to describe physical

and knowledge based uncertainties in reservoir quantification and production data
analysis.

o Programs 27 and 28 of [1].

 Geometry: plane geometry; solid geometry; descriptive geometry; coordinate

geometry; curve sketching; vectors; equation of a circle. Used in well drilling design
and completion; directional and deviated well planning.

o Pages 146-220 of ref. [4]

The above list should not be taken as definitive, but as a guide to prospective applicants
in understanding the level of maths skills required in some of the taught courses in MSc
programmes delivered by the School of Engineering.

Applicants should be prepared to have this knowledge assessed if they have not done
so already through an undergraduate level course. In this case, the list should be used
as a guide for self-study; a task for which `Engineering Mathematics' is well designed.

References

[1] K. A. Stroud and D. J. Booth. Engineering Mathematics. Palgrave Macmillan, 6th

edition, 2007. ISBN 978-1403942463.
[2] K. A. Stroud and D. J. Booth. Differential Equations. Industrial Press, Inc., New York,
USA, 2005. ISBN 0-8311-3187-X.
[3] K. A. Stroud and D. J. Booth. Advanced Engineering Mathematics. Palgrave
Macmillan, 4th edition, 2003. ISBN 978-0831131692.
[4] S. Gottwald, W. Gellert, M. Hellwich, H. Kustner and H. Kastner. VNR Concise
Encyclopedia of Mathematics. Springer, 2nd edition, 1990. ISBN-10: 0442205902; ISBN-
13: 978-0442205904

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M.Sc. Petroleum Engineering
 Recommended Textbooks for MSc Petroleum Engineering

Reservoir engineering
• Archer, J.S., Wall, C.G., Petroleum Engineering: Principles and Practice (Graham & Trotman,
1986)
• Dake, L.P. The Practice of Reservoir Engineering (Elsevier, 2001)
• Economides, M. J., Hill A. D., Ehlig-Economides, C.; Petroleum Production Systems (Prentice
Hall, 1994)
• Blunt, M. J., the Imperial College Lectures in Petroleum Engineering. Volume 2: Reservoir
Engineering. (World Scientific Publishing 2017)
• Robert W. Z.: The Imperial College Lectures in Petroleum Engineering. Volume 5: Fluid Flow
in Porous Media. (World Scientific Publishing 2018)
• Well Performance by Golan M. & Whitson C., 2nd ed. Norwegian University of Science and
Technology, 1996.

Well engineering
• Mitchell R. F., Miska S. and Aadny̜ B. S. (2011) Fundamentals of drilling engineering,
Richardson: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
• Azar J. J. and Samuel G. R. (2007) Drilling engineering, Tulsa, OK, PennWell Corp. 486 p.
• Bourgoyne Jr A.T., Millheim K. K., Chenevert M. E. and Young Jr. F.S. (1991) Applied drilling
engineering, 2nd edition, Richardson: Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Production engineering
• Bellarby J., (2009) Well Completion Design, 1st edition, Elsevier Science
• Guo et. al. (2017) Petroleum Production Engineering, 2nd edition, Elsevier
• Clegg J. D. (2007) Production Operations Engineering, Volume IV, SPE.

Petroleum geoscience
• Marshak, S. 2011. Earth: portrait of a planet (Fourth Edition). London, Norton, 819 pp.
• Michael, A. 2017. The Imperial College Lectures in Petroleum Engineering. Volume 1: An
Introduction to Petroleum Geoscience. (World Scientific Publishing 2017)

Reservoir simulation
• Mattax, C.C. and Kyte, R.L.: Reservoir Simulation, Monograph Series, SPE, Richardson, TX
(1990).
• Aziz, K. and Settari, A. Petroleum Reservoir Simulation (Applied Science Publishers, 1979)
• Fanchi, J.R. Principles of Applied Reservoir Simulation, (Gulf Professional Publishing, 2001)

Enhanced oil recovery

• Green D. W. & Willhite G. P. (1998) Enhanced Oil Recovery, Society of Petroleum Engineers,
545 pages. ISBN: 978-1-55563-077-5.
• Craig Jr., F. F. (1971) The Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Waterflooding, Society of
Petroleum Engineers. ISBN: 0‐89520‐202‐6.
• Marle C. M. (1981) Multiphase flow in porous media, Editions Technip. ISBN: 2-7108-0404-2.

Well testing
• Spivey, J.P. and W.J. Lee (2013) Applied Well Test Interpretation, Society of Petroleum
Engineers, 374 pages.
• Stewart, G. (2011), Well test: Design and Analysis, Penwell.
• Bourdet, D. (2002) Well test analysis: The use of advanced interpretation models, Elsevier, 438
pages.
• Lee, J. (1982) Well Testing, Monograph Series, Society of Petroleum Engineers, 159 pages.
Pre-sessional Geology course in the School of Geosciences – January 2019 Invitation to MSc

Petroleum Engineering in the School of Engineering

Many of the MSc programmes hosted in the School of Geosciences are multi-disciplinary,
covering elements of earth science, engineering, and mathematics. Our incoming students also have
a diverse background, with graduates in geology, physics, engineering, mathematics, economics and
business (depending on the programme). This means that we commonly have to teach some
subjects from a more basic level than we would like. As part of our commitment to supporting and
developing our students, we have introduced a pre-sessional geology course. This course is intended
for students on the MSc programmes in Geophysics and Reservoir Engineering, where students do
not have a geology background.

We extend this invitation to students undertaking the MSc Petroleum Engineering. The course is not
compulsory, but we feel that students who undertake it will be better prepared for the start of the
teaching term. There is no mark for these courses.

Introduction to the Earth Sciences

The course is an introduction to geology, covering the basics of earth science, the Wilson cycle, the
history of life, and exploration and resources. This course is recommended for students who have no
background in geology. The course tutor is Dr Catriona Menzies.

Timing and venues

The sessions will run on the following dates/times:-

Tuesday 8 January 2019

10:00 – 12:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: Basics of Earth Science Meston 118
14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: The Wilson Cycle Meston 118

Wednesday 9 January 2019

14:00 – 16:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: The History of Life Meston 118

Friday 11 January 2019

10:00 – 12:00 Introduction to Earth Sciences: Exploration and Resources Meston 118