Texas Tech University Petroleum Engineering Department
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Department Overview

History

The department of Petroleum Engineering was established as a separate department in the School of Engineering in January, 1948.  Prior to that time, the petroleum engineering program existed as a sub-department in the Department of Geology, jointly administered by the School of Engineering and the Department of Geology.  Due to the rapid growth of the oil industry in this area during and immediately after World War II, enrollment in the petroleum engineering program increased to 317 students in the Fall of 1946. 

Petroleum industry leaders, in cooperation with college administrative officials, met in November, 1946, to formulate plans for the establishment of a separate Department of Petroleum Engineering.  A Petroleum Industry Advisory Committee was formed with George P. Livermore as the Chairman.  Purpose of the Committee was to aid the college in developing a program and help secure industry funds to equip and maintain the department in its early years.  The committee membership consisted of executive-level personnel from most of the major oil and gas producing companies operating in the West Texas area.  They recruited faculty, advised them and the college on the content of the curricula, obtained funds to supplement college salaries, to purchase laboratory equipment, and otherwise aided the department in many ways.  The department was housed in wooden barracks buildings until 1950, when it moved into the then newly completed building at the present location that consisted of the ground floor, less the north wing.  The second story and north wing of the building were completed in 1953.  In 1983, the petroleum engineering building was expanded by an addition which connected the old PE building to Chem E and the Engineering Center.

Throughout the history of the department, degrees granted and courses required have changed as the state of the art has changed, upon recommendations by the Petroleum Advisory Committee and according to "suggestions" by the accreditation committees.

Various options and degrees have been offered during the periods indicated:

Through 1950 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years) with options in Geology, Geophysics, Natural Gas, or Production
   
1950-1953 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years) with options in Production or Natural Gas
   
1953-1957 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years) with options in Production or Natural Gas
B.S. Petroleum Engineering and B.A. (5 years) with options in Production or Natural Gas
   
1957-1959 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years) B.S. Petroleum Engineering and B.A. (5 years)
   
1959-1960 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years)
B.S. Petroleum Engineering and B.S. Mechanical Engineering (5 years)
   
1960-1986 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years)
   
1986-2003 B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years)
M.S. Petroleum Engineering with and without thesis
   
2003-present B.S. Petroleum Engineering (4 years)
M.S. Petroleum Engineering with and without thesis
Ph.D. Petroleum Engineering