Petroleum Technology at NC

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Name of Department: Petroleum Technology

Name of Department Chair/Program Director: Dr. Donald W. Capone II

The Petroleum Technology Degree will help prepare students for careers in the oil and gas industry, where they will perform the duties of lease operators, plant operators, and in activities associated with the oil and gas industry. Graduates from the program will be responsible for ensuring that oil and natural gas well-flow rate and product quality is maintained at optimal levels. They will be required to perform basic maintenance and equipment repair. They will also be responsible for safe conduct during the work performance and ensuring that all regulatory and environmental standards are strictly adhered to and appropriate records are maintained.

The A.A.S. degree program requires a total of 60 semester hours that includes technical courses from the Workforce Education Course Manual. Certificate programs require 30 to 40 semester credit hours. Students completing the program will be awarded a degree or certificate appropriated to the curriculum pursued.

The oil and gas industry has historically been a cyclic industry, experiencing periods of steady growth with periodic sharp downturns. The rebound after a downturn shows rapid increase in business after a few months and a corresponding strong need for additional personnel to fill positions throughout all levels of the industry.

Competition for qualified workers continues to increase, especially in the rural areas throughout the State of Texas, where natural gas is booming. Graduates have found employment in all production regions within the State of Texas, including Limestone, Freestone, and Leon. Companies such as XTO Energy, Chevron, EnCana, Marathon, and Anadarko are interested in employing graduates from the Petroleum Technology program. A combination of an A.A.S. in Petroleum Technology and Automation Certificate allows great flexibility for employment throughout the industry.

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Career Destination Map

Petroleum Technology (AAS)

Oil and Gas Technology (Certificate)

Oil and Gas Automation (Certificate)

Career Opportunities

Lease Operators

Wellhead Pumpers 

Gas Plant Operators 

Petroleum Gaugers  

Petroleum Pump System Operators 

Gas Compressor Operators 

Pipeline Operators  

Gainful Employment

Oil and Gas Tech Certificate (.pdf)

Marketable Skills

Basic Skills

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Systems Analysis
• Time Management
• Writing

Complex Problem Solving Skills

• Complex Problem Solving

Technical Skills

• Equipment Maintenance
• Equipment Selection
• Installation
• Operation and Control
• Operation Monitoring
• Repairing
• Troubleshooting

Transfer Opportunities

Texas A&M University – Commerce

• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science  

Sam Houston State University

• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science