Texas Tech University Petroleum Engineering Department
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Welcome to Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University

Petroleum engineering is the practical application of the basic and physical sciences of mathematics, geology, physics, and chemistry and all of the engineering sciences to the discovery, development, and production, and transportation of petroleum. Petroleum is the most widely used form of mobile energy and now supplies approximately three-fourths of the total energy used in the United States. It is also a major raw material from which a wide variety of products are manufactured.

The department is uniquely located in the Permian Basin, where approximately 22 percent of the nation’s petroleum resources and 68 percent of Texas’ petroleum resources lie within a 175-mile radius. This proximity provides the student with unique opportunities for directly interfacing with industry while still a student as well as first hand observations of the oil field operations. The department has been consistently ranked in the top ten petroleum engineering departments for both the graduate and undergraduate program. The department fulfills an obligation to the people of the state of Texas and the nation in making available the technical expertise for the safe and efficient development, production, and management of petroleum resources.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: 410.347.7700.

The department is staffed with industry-experienced faculty who have an average of more than 15 years of experience per faculty member. This experience is combined with sound engineering and scientific principles in the classroom and made an integral part of the candidate’s educational challenge.

News and Events

Dr. Heinze and Dean Eibeck featured in an article published in the Midland Reporter Telegram on Wednesday, May 24th. Read the article.

Texas Tech University student chapter for the Society of Petroleum Engineers selected as a finalist for the SPE Outstanding Student Chapter Award. Each chapter, (a total of five were selected), will receive recognition at the ATCE Student General Session in Dallas, Texas on Sunday, October 9, 2005. Read official announcement.


Olu Fasesan & Dr.Heinze Graduate student Olu Fasesan and Dr. Heinze pose with second place award for Graduate Student Presentation Competition held at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum June 7 – 9, 2005. Olu has recently won several awards at graduate student competitions this year. Read more about his awards.

View the SPE Regional Contest Results for the past six years