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Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, BSPNGE

Located in the center of very active and important shale oil and gas activities in the Marcellus and Utica regions, our Department offers unique educational and practical opportunities.

Students come from all over the world because of our Department’s stellar reputation, and our graduates are in high demand by the biggest names in the oil and natural gas industry.

Our curriculum blends scientific and engineering fundamentals, oral and written communication, computer applications and work on topics like drilling engineering, production engineering, reservoir engineering and stimulation design.

Faculty members are active in a wide range of research specialties, including fluid flow through porous media, reservoir characterization, natural gas production and storage, formation stimulation and fracturing, drilling engineering and environmental remediation. We also are developing a broad scientific base in extraction technology.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Want to be part of today's most dynamic and interesting engineering fields? Because of our stellar reputation, students come to WVU from all over the world for this program.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Eligible students can qualify for direct admittance into the PhD program.
  • Field trips, site visits and learning experiences on actual, working oil and gas sites.
  • PNGE enrolls students from all over the world.
  • Frequent interaction with leading industry professionals through field trips, conferences, lectures, short courses and extracurricular activities.
  • Hands-on team design projects at the junior and senior level, as well as opportunities to enter national and international design and paper competitions.
  • Opportunities to work with faculty who are researching development of unconventional resources.
  • Faculty and students consistently earn high accolades from the Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Drilling Engineers and other organizations.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
  • Award-winning PNGE faculty are recognized around the world as experts in their field.
  • Facilities include rig floor simulator, Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory and Dominion Energy Natural Gas Measurement Laboratory.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

  • Explore specialized areas such as drilling or reservoir engineering, management, geophysical well logging and secondary oil recovery.
  • Access a variety of development programs, including study abroad, the Honors College, paid undergraduate research opportunities, tutoring, resume workshops, job fairs, national and international paper contests, conferences and lectures.
  • Gain practical knowledge and research skills for problem solving in the oil and gas industry through PNGE's first-of-its-kind undergraduate research course. Topics focus on shale gas formations and the production of more fuel from fewer wells, automation, optimization and monitoring to make drilling and production more environmentally friendly.
  • Attend conferences and take part in professional development and networking opportunities through PNGE's student organizations.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Petroleum Engineers

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

Median Salary: $135,690

Possible job titles include: Drilling Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Petroleum Production Engineer, Reservoir Engineer.

Explore Career

Sales Engineers

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $116,950

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Account Manager, Customer Engagement Manager, Technical Sales Engineer.

Explore Career

Potential Employers

Graduates have worked for companies such as:

  • Chevron
  • Range
  • EQT
  • Dominion Energy
  • Cabot Oil and Gas
  • The Department of Energy
  • The National Energy Technology Laboratory

Areas of Graduate Study

Graduates have pursued advanced degrees in:

  • Engineering disciplines
  • Business
  • Computer science
  • Law

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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