Department of Petroleum Engineering

PETE 403: Petroleum Production Engineering

3 credits: 3 50-minute lectures per week
Required

Catalog Description: The course introduces the student to topics of inflow and outflow
performance, multi-phase flow in pipes, nodal analysis and production optimization and
artificial lift with stress on electric submersible pumps and gas lift systems. Oil and water
treatment and separation processes are introduced. Theoretical background calculations
as well as design and economic applications are covered in sufficient details.

Prerequisite: CHE 204: Transport Phenomena I
PETE 302: Well Completion

Textbook: B. Guo, W.C. Lyons and A. Ghalambor. (2007). Petroleum
Production Engineering: A Computer-Assisted Approach,
Elsevier

Course Objectives:

1. Enable the student to gain experience in methods of enhancing well productivity
within optimum technical and economic conditions.
2. Provide an integrated design experience and practice team-spirit through project
work.
3. Develop proficiency in the application of computer software for performing
design calculations.

Topics and Hours:
Topic Hours
1. Introduction to production engineering; development and operations 1
2. Multi-phase flow in vertical and horizontal wells 7
3. Inflow and outflow performance in vertical and horizontal wells 5
4. Nodal analysis and production optimization 5
5. Exam 1 1
6. Artificial lift methods and applications 2
7. Electric submersible pump 7
8. Gas lift 7
9. Exam 2 1
10. Surface production facilities over view 1
11. Multistage separation 3
12. Produced oil and water treatment 4
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Total Hours 45
Method of Evaluation:
Homework & Quizzes 15%
First exam 20%
Second exam 20%
Attendance 5%
Term project 10%
Final exam 30%

Contributions to Professional Component:
Engineering Science and Design: The course with its design orientation enables the
student to understand the principles of modern production engineering. The use of
computer software helps the student develop skill to perform computer-aided solutions.
The term project trains the student further in communication and interpersonal skills.

Relationship of Course Learning Outcomes to Program Educational Outcomes:
Course Learning Outcome Program Educational Outcome
1. Ability to apply reservoir and
mechanical data to diagnose well
conditions and calculate pressure
losses in the production system.
2. Ability to perform design calculations
for the production system components
to specify their dimensions and
mechanical strength and hence choose
them from industry available products.
3. Ability to implement technical and
economic constraints to optimize the
performance of a producing well.
4. Execution of a team project to perform
in-depth study of one of the course
topics including preparing a technical
report and making an oral presentation.
Ability to design a system, component,
or process to meet the desired needs
within realistic constraints such as
economic, environmental and safety.

Prepared by: Dr. Mahmoud E. Doklah, April, 2010.

Instructor: Dr. Mahmoud E. Doklah, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of
Petroleum Engineering, Room 3-213, 860-4235, mdoklah@kfupm.edu.sa