PETROLEUM
ENGINEERING
Master of Science
in Petroleum Engineering
about the program
The Skoltech Petroleum Engineering program trains a new generation of scientists and engineers capable of dealing with the key challenges of the oil and gas sector, and creating innovative solutions for enhanced oil recovery from the existing sources and development of unconventional and hard-to-recover reserves. The program curriculum combines high-level engineering training with teaching of mathematical modeling and data analysis and gaining field experience through research and industry projects.
  • Mode, duration
    2 years (full-time)
  • Language
    English
  • Fees
    Full tuition coverage
  • Application
    The application period for Skoltech programs for 2024 is now closed
  • Benefits
    Monthly scholarship (up to 55.000 rub/month), relocation & accommodation, private medical insurance (in accordance with Skoltech policies)
a successful graduate of the program will have:
01
skills and knowledge essential to effectively address complex challenges of hydrocarbon recovery
02
ability of effectively address major oil production issues, including the development of unconventional and hard-to-recover reserves, such as heavy oil, shale oil, and offshore oil fields
03
ability to use mathematical modeling, mathematical physics and data analysis techniques in oil and gas projects
04
experience of application of these knowledge and skills in joint research and industrial projects with the industry's leading corporations and international labs from Russia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other countries
05
insight into how the oil and gas sector works, ability to identify and solve its outstanding issues
The 2-year program comprises of compulsory and recommended elective courses on the most important topics, a wide set of elective courses (depending on the research and professional needs of the student), components of entrepreneurship and innovation, research activity and 8 weeks of industry immersion.

master thesis options
  • Research
    Perform world class science and application
  • Start-up as a thesis
    Transform your idea into a start-up
  • 2+3 PhD
    Seamless continuation into PhD Program
research
a key component of your studies is independent research work based on world–class laboratories. The following research areas are available for you:
  • Thermal conductivity and rock properties
  • Geochemistry
  • Geomechanics
  • Geology and geomodelling
  • Gas hydrates and permafrost
  • Enhanced hydrocarbon recovery (EOR)
  • Flow assurance
  • Petroleum data science
  • Molecular simulations and machine learning for EOR
  • Lithology
  • Geophysics
labs
every program dedicates time for students' independent research as a core part of their curriculum. Skoltech hosts more than 40 world-class laboratories, and students have full access to the facilities throughout their studies and can conduct research based on their interests.
future career
Our graduates shape their own futures by choosing from a variety of career opportunities in industry, science, and business
industry
Landing specialist positions in industry. Students are in demand among Russian and international oil and gas producers and service companies and succeed working for research and consulting.
science
Landing PhD positions and continuing research at leading Russian and international universities and research entities.
startup
Starting a business on their own or through the Skolkovo innovation ecosystem with its extensive pool of experts, partners, consultants and investors.
industrial partners
Skoltech has strongly established connections with leading companies in the industry and academia
  • Gazprom Neft
  • Lukoil
  • Rosneft
  • Zarubezhneft
  • Tatneft
  • Total Energies
  • Novatek
  • Schlumberger
admissions
applications for competitive selection can be submitted online. Most of the selection process is conducted online, and only the final stage of the selection is conducted offline at the Skoltech campus
1
registration
Prepare your portfolio (in English):
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Diploma or transcript from the university
  • Certificates and awards
2
submit your application
Upload your materials into the SIA application system (apply.skoltech.ru)
3
online testing
Every candidate must take an online subject test. You will be notified via email about the specific date and time of your test.

online exam sample
online exam sample (NEW)
4
final stage
The final selection stage takes place in Moscow. You have to pass the English exam on site, or present a valid proof of English proficiency, pass an in-person interview and entrepreneurship challenge. Extra written examinations may be required for certain programs during this time (you will be notified in advance). In case you're not from Moscow, we can accommodate you in the Skoltech dorms for the selection weekend period.
5
enrollment
you will be enrolled in Skoltech based on the results of all competitive selection procedures
entry requirements
knowledge, skills and education background for successful enrollment into the program
knowledge and skills
Successful candidates will have solid knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, petroleum engineering, and IT.
education
Relevant bachelor's degree, or its equivalent in physics, mathematics, chemistry, geology, petroleum engineering, and IT.
english language
If your education has not been conducted in English, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
tips on exam
below is a list of literature for preparation:

  • Giuliano F.A. Introduction to oil and gas technology. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1989.
  • Huc (2013) Geochemistry of Fossil Fuels: From Conventional to Unconventional Hydrocarbon Systems. Editions TECHNIP. hard copy.
  • Killops & Killops (2013) Introduction to Organic Geochemistry. Blackwell Publishing. 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons.
  • Computational methods for multiphase flow. Prosperetti, A., & Tryggvason, G. (Eds.). (2009)
  • Sloan Jr E. D., Koh C. A. Clathrate hydrates of natural gases. – CRC press, 2007
  • E. D. Yershov, Edited by Peter J. Williams. General Geocryology. - CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2004
  • Core Analysis: A Best Practice Guide, Developments in Petroleum Science, Vol. 64., by Colin McPhee, Jules Reed, Izaskun Zubizarreta, Elsevier B. V., 2015.
  • Petrophysics, Fourth Edition: Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties by Djebbar Tiab Professor, Erle C. Donaldson Professor, Elsevier, 2015.
  • Well Completion Design. Bellarby J. Elsevier Science, 2009 9780444532107 Fundamentals of Drilling Engineering by Robert F. Mitchell (Author), Stefan F. Miska (Editor). Society of Petroleum Engineers. 2013
  • Jaeger, J., N. Cook and R. Zimmerman. Fundamentals of Rock Mechanics. 4th Edition, 2008, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
  • Mogi, Kiyoo. Experimental Rock Mechanics. Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK, 2007
  • Paterson, M.S., Wong, Teng-fong. Experimental Rock Deformation - The Brittle Field. Springer. 2005.
  • Natural Gas Hydrates in Flow Assurance. Carolyn Ann Koh, Amadeu Sum, E Dendy Sloan. Gulf Professional Publishing, 2010
  • Fundamentals of Natural Gas Processing, Arthur J. Kidnay and William R. Parrish, 2006
  • Darwin V. Ellis and Julian M. Singer. Well Logging for Earth Scientists, 2nd Edition, Springer.
  • AAPG Methods in Exploration Series, No 16. Basic Well Log Analysis, Second Edition.
  • Petroleum Geoscience: From Sedimentary Environments to Rock Physics. By Knut Bjørlykke 2nd edition, 2015.
  • Geological 3D modeling. K.E. Zakrevsky, 2011
  • Basic Applied Reservoir Simulation, T. Ertekin, J.H. Abou-Kassem and G.R. King. SPE Textbook Series Vol. 7, 2001
  • Geostatistical Reservoir Modeling. Pyrcz, M.J., and Deutsch, C.V. Oxford University Press, New York, second edition, 2014
  • Larry W. Lake, Russell Johns, Bill Rossen & Gary Pope «Fundamentals of Enhanced Oil Recovery», 2014
  • James J. Sheng, «Enhanced Oil Recovery Field Case Studies», 2013
  • Beardsmore G., Cull J. 2001. Crustal Heat Flow: A guide to measurement and modelling. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, 324 pp
  • Theory of Stability of Colloids and Thin Films by B.V. Derjaguin (1989)
  • Adsorption, Surface Area and Porosity by Gregg SJ and Sing KSW (1982)
  • Molecular Theory of Capillarity by J.S. Rowlinson and B. Widom (Clarendon, Oxford), 1982
faculty
enjoy courses and supervision by world-renowned scientists and engineers
application
The application period for Skoltech programs for 2024 is now closed. To apply for the 2025 start, check back in autumn or subscribe below to receive a notification.
Contact us
e-mail: admissions@skoltech.ru
phone: +7 (495) 280-1481_ext.3387

address: 30с1 Bolshoi boulevard,
Skolkovo, 121205, Russian Federation
Room E-R3-2026
We are more than happy to meet visitors Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00. Please arrange a visit 48 hours in advance by contacting admissions@skoltech.ru