Petroleum Engineering Course In Malaysia | Apply With Uni Enrol

What Is Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum Engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with exploration, production, extraction, and management of natural gas and oil resources. The primary role of petroleum engineers is to conceive and establish ways of extracting these resources efficiently and safely from subsurface reservoirs.

The discipline encompasses multiple technical fields, such as:

• Reservoir Assessment
• Petroleum Geology
• Drilling Engineering
• Production Engineering
• Completion Engineering

Petroleum engineers are also responsible for carrying out extraction in ways that are environmentally sustainable and economical. Many work in distant areas, including offshore drill platforms or desert lands.

Why Does It Matter To The World?

• Oil and natural gas are two of the world’s principal sources of energy. They are used to propel vehicles, heat buildings, and generate electricity, and as inputs into industries producing everything from plastics to medicines. The oil & gas industry has a ripple effect into all kinds of industries.

• The oil and gas industry contributes significantly to world economics. It provides employment, promotes trade, and yields significant government revenues, particularly among countries with huge oil and gas reserves like Malaysia.

• Innovations in exploration and drilling methods can uncover more oil reserves that previously could not be accessed. Petroleum engineers have the responsibility of improving current technologies such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.

Is a Petroleum Engineering Course worth it? Check out this video:

Petroleum Engineering Course Pathways & Entry Requirements

There is one recommended pathway towards a Degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Pathway: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Petroleum Engineering Degree

The more common pathway is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.

As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including Mathematics and a Science subject (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) to enter Pre-U or Foundation, preferably Physics for Petroleum Engineering.

A Pre-University course or Foundation in Engineering / Science typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Engineering.

A Petroleum Engineering Degree will usually take 3 to 4 years to complete based on whether your degree is a BEng or MEng qualification. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:

Qualifications	General Requirements
A-Level	2D
AUSMAT/SACE	ATAR 65
CIMP	65%
STPM	2C
UEC	5B
Foundation	CGPA 2.0

Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities. Generally, these qualifications also require you to have Mathematics and a relevant Science subject taken and achieve the minimum results.

In total, this pathway takes 4 to 5 years to complete.

Difference Between MEng and BEng

BEng (Bachelor of Engineering)

• A 3-year undergraduate degree that qualifies students to work as aerospace engineers.
• Requires additional work experience and exams for professional engineering certification.
• Can be upgraded to an MEng through further studies.

MEng (Master of Engineering)

• A 4-year course that integrates both undergraduate and master’s level studies.
• Provides advanced technical knowledge and research opportunities.
• Often preferred for leadership or research roles in the aerospace industry

To be a certified engineer in Malaysia, you are required by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to graduate with a MEng qualification or a Master in Engineering.

Accreditations For Petroleum Engineering In Malaysia

To gain your status as a professional or certified engineer in Malaysia, you must:

• Graduate with a MEng or Master from a recognised university;
• 3 years of practical working experience; and
• Pass the Professional Assessment Examination by BEM.

BEM is the authoritative body in Malaysia that regulates engineering practices including controlling engineering services, conforming to professional ethics and international best practices in ensuring public safety in Malaysia. 

Additionally, be on the lookout for Engineering courses that are recognised under the Washington Accord.

The Washington Accord allows graduates to pursue a professional engineering career in any of the member countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, China, Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States) without the need for re-qualification.

What You Learn In A Petroleum Engineering Course

These are the subjects you will learn about when you enrol into a Petroleum Engineering Course:

• Advanced Drilling Technology
• Artificial Lift Systems
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Computational Methods
• Data Analytics in Petroleum Engineering
• Drilling Engineering
• Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
• Formation Evaluation
• Geomechanics
• Geostatistics
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
• Natural Gas Engineering
• Petroleum Economics
• Petroleum Law and Regulations
• Petroleum Project Development
• Process Simulation and Design
• Production Chemistry
• Production Operations
• Properties of Reservoir Fluids
• Reservoir Characterization
• Reservoir Geomechanics
• Reservoir Management
• Reservoir Simulation
• Subsea Engineering
• Thermodynamics
• Transport Phenomena
• Well Completion Design
• Well Integrity Management
• Well Intervention
• Well Testing

Why Should I Study Petroleum Engineering?

If you feel you are destined to be in oil & gas, here are more reasons to:

• Direct Impact on Global Energy Solutions – Petroleum engineers are essential in addressing global energy challenges by optimizing the extraction of oil and gas resources while minimizing environmental impact. This field offers the opportunity to develop innovative solutions for meeting the world’s energy demands in a sustainable manner.

• Opportunity to Work on New Technologies – The petroleum industry is continuously evolving with advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Petroleum engineers have the chance to work with these cutting-edge tools and techniques to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making in oil and gas operations.

• High Demand and Competitive Salaries – Petroleum engineers are in high demand globally due to the continued need for oil and gas resources. This translates into excellent job prospects and competitive salaries for graduates in this field, providing financial stability and career growth opportunities.

⬇ TRY PATHWAY MATCH ⬇

RIASEC Compatibility To A Petroleum Engineering Course

The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:

• Realistic (R)
• Investigative (I)
• Artistic (A)
• Social (S)
• Enterprising (E)
• Conventional (C)

With the RIASEC Test, as it can sometimes be known, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.

The top 3 RIASEC traits that one should have before choosing to study Petroleum Engineering are:

REALISTIC

• Petroleum engineering involves hands-on work, problem-solving, and practical application of scientific principles to real-world scenarios. Individuals with a Realistic trait enjoy working with tools, equipment, and technology in a tangible and concrete manner, making them well-suited for the demands of the field.

INVESTIGATE

• Petroleum engineering requires analytical thinking, critical reasoning, and a curiosity to explore and understand complex systems. Individuals with an Investigative trait are drawn to scientific inquiry, research, and data analysis, which are essential for characterizing reservoirs, optimizing production, and solving technical challenges in the petroleum industry.

ENTERPRISING

• Petroleum engineering often involves project management, decision-making, and leadership roles in multidisciplinary teams. Individuals with an Enterprising trait are assertive, persuasive, and enjoy taking initiative to achieve goals, making them effective in coordinating operations, managing resources, and driving innovation in the petroleum industry.

Career Opportunities For Petroleum Engineering

There are many branches of career paths within the oil & gas world. Here are possible routes for a Petroleum Engineering graduate:

Areas of Opportunity	Types of Roles
Oil & Gas Exploration and Production	Reservoir Engineer Drilling Engineer Production Engineer Petrophysicist
Offshore & Onshore Operations	Offshore Drilling Engineer Well Completion Engineer Operations & Maintenance Engineer Health, Safety, and Environment Specialist
Energy Transition & Renewable Energy	Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Engineer Geothermal Energy Engineer Hydrogen Energy Engineer Sustainable Energy Consultant
Refining & Petrochemical Industry	Petroleum Refining Engineer Process Engineer (Oil & Gas) Petrochemical Engineer Pipeline Engineer
Unconventional Oil & Gas Resources	Shale Gas & Fracking Engineer Oil Sands Extraction Engineer Enhanced Oil Recovery Engineer
Data Science & AI in Petroleum Engineering	Reservoir Simulation Engineer Big Data & Predictive Analytics Engineer Automation & AI Engineer
Business & Consulting in Oil & Gas	Energy Economist Oil & Gas Investment Analyst Petroleum Engineering Consultant

Top Universities In Malaysia For Petroleum Engineering Courses

Here are our recommendations of top universities in Malaysia to study a Petroleum Engineering Course. Or check out more options here.

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