UND to offer petroleum engineering program in fall

North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan has stated that “The oil production in North Dakota is going to have a major impact on our economy for at least the next quarter-century, and probably well beyond. [The Bakken Formation] is the biggest oil play in the U.S. and it’s not temporary. It’s going to produce for a long time.”

The School of Engineering and Mines has recognized the need to produce petroleum engineers — not only for the state but for the nation — and gained the support of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education when board members approved a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering at UND. The creation of this new program will provide the education and research necessary to support the major developments in the Bakken Formation in western North Dakota.

“The creation of this new program continues UND’s tradition as a world leader in energy-related education and research. It is one initiative of our strategic plan to ensure that UND remains at the forefront of developments in energy technologies,” said Hesham El-Rewini, dean of UND’s School of Engineering and Mines. “North Dakota’s oil production has been growing rapidly, rising from No. 8 in 2005 to No. 4 in 2009, following Alaska, Texas, and California. Before the approval of this program, North Dakota was the only state among the top ten oil producing states that did not have a petroleum engineering degree program.”

UND students will be able to register in the petroleum engineering major in the upcoming fall semester. The program will be under the direction of the UND Engineering dean’s office. For more information, please contact the UND School of Engineering and Mines at 777-3411.

— Cheryl Osowski, outreach coordinator, 777-3390, cherylosowski@mail.und.edu