Page 6 ■ Thursday, February 16, 2012


BAKKEN NEWS


North Dakota schools offer new avenues for energy education


By TINA DING For the Tribune


North Dakotans feel confi dent in mak- ing decisions to retire. And a retiring workforce needs a strong generation of workers to fi ll their shoes. Students seek- ing opportunities to work in the energy industry, either as high school graduates or those seeking career changes, fi nd new program choices at both the University of North Dakota and Bismarck State College. Recent changes at both schools allow


As the economy improves, aging


recognize four primary pillars in getting energy out there: A. fi rst, the science and engineering technology needs to work; B. the energy technology should make fi nancial and economic sense; C. the importance of policies and regulatory is- sues on new technologies work; and D. the social issues associated with energy development.” Further, Benson said UND has op-


energy students to either attend course- work as a traditional student on campus or online — or a combination of both. Since 1970, BSC has been supporting


the energy industry in North Dakota by training generations of graduates in a full gamut of programming. From line workers to power plant operators and welders, graduating students have long worked to become highly specialized while supporting the energy industry. With ramped up Bakken oil activ-


ity, students seek options to obtain pro- gramming that directly supports the industry, such as process plant technol- ogy, mechanical maintenance and in- strumentation and control technology. And when a retiring workforce demands replacement workers, the industry will need to hire qualifi ed graduates of these programs. “Additional workforce needs in the oil and gas industry drove the addition of our new ‘Petroleum Production Tech- nology program,’” BSC National Energy Center of Excellence vice-president Kari Knudson said. “This program will pre- pare students to work as an operator in the fi eld or work for a service company that provides support to oil and gas op- erations.”


work in the oil industry, in their back- yards. Western North Dakota holds the potential for many careers in long term positions. Knudson said January 2012 marks the addition of the Petroleum Engineering Technology program. Students will be prepared to work in technical jobs that support petroleum engineers, geologists and geophysicists working in the petro- leum industry. “At UND, we have several initiatives going on in energy education,” UND Institute for Energy Studies director Steven Benson, Ph.D. said. “In respect to educating the next generation of en- ergy experts, we make sure that students


Students now have opportunities to


portunities for student education in coal utilization, petroleum, crop oil (derived from plants), renewables, fossil and wind energy. The university recognized a need to develop a specifi c program for bach- elors of science degree in petroleum en- gineering in August 2010. “Our program developed and is now a full-fl edged de- partment of petroleum engineering — providing training and background for not only working in the Bakken play, but to prepare to work both nationally and internationally. Our program currently holds 33 students in the program and we look forward to as many as 50 next fall — growing the program to the level of 100 students,” he said. He described petroleum engineers as those who search for reservoirs contain- ing oil and gas. Additionally, they work with geologists to understand the forma- tion and characteristics of the rock con- taining the reservoir. It becomes their job to determine the best drilling methods before fracturing and drilling, then fol- lowing through the production and pro- cessing and more. “Politicians and decision makers


have identifi ed energy as a major chal- lenge for our country, both now and in the future,” UND School of Engineering and Mines dean Hesham El-Rewini said. “Today, we are in a position to surpass California and Alaska, and have the po- tential to be second to Texas as the state producing the most oil. As a result, we wanted to cover the entire energy spec- trum of challenges and solutions here at UND, from fossil-based (oil and gas) to renewable energy.” El-Rewini said two parallel programs gained offi cial approval, including petro- leum engineering as well as the research and outreach program for all energy challenges and solutions. Today, petro- leum energy has been approved as a de- partment. “We observed that we are the only state


MIKE McCLEARY/Tribune


The National Energy Center of Excellence on the campus of Bismarck State College, shown in this January 2010 fi le photo, is perched above the Missouri River in Bismarck.


up to the fact that we are an oil produc- ing state needing to produce the next generation of petroleum experts. Addi- tionally, we reviewed the curriculum to determine the skills needed to give our graduates the best opportunity for a suc- cessful career.” Since baby boomers are retiring, he


in the top 10 oil producing states with- out a petroleum engineering program. We’ve also held many conversations with prospective students and alums who’ve worked in oil and gas,” El-Rewini said. “It was they who felt we needed to step


realizes the potential gap between the retirees and the preparedness of those entering the profession. “We needed to develop the skills needed in business as well as those needed for leadership and management. And more so, we wanted to ensure we are exposing students to multi-cultural experiences,”


“There is an absolute need for an inter- national presence in the oil industry.” True, oil experts need to be prepared not only to work in the North Dakota


Bakken play, but to be transferred over- seas as well. Many enter North Dakota with international experience — fully understanding how to drill, work effi - ciently and understand business plans, economics and leadership in multiple settings, cultures and backgrounds. Both UND and BSC fi nd they are ready to embrace the expectations of the industry by offering petroleum programs at their schools. “There are so many opportunities in


he said.


the industry,” Knudson said. “Women as well as men are seeking energy degrees, often entering the fi eld after having ex- perienced a parent, a relative or friend who’s worked in the energy industry. They see the potential for a great long- term career.”


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