Abstract: The current energy transition is targeted at achieving net zero emissions by the mid of this century, and the major pathway is to transit from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources. This has posed an existential threat to the fossil fuel industry, especially the oil and gas industry, which has a direct impact on the petroleum engineering disciple in tertiary institutions. The paper therefore reviewed the implication of this transition, and the roles of the petroleum industry, and the petroleum engineering disciple to stay relevant and become adaptable to the current transition. The paper noted that oil and gas will be needed in the energy mix, though in a declining trend as renewable technologies mature. Regardless, the petrochemical industry, which is part of the oil and gas value chain, will survive the current energy transition beyond the 21st century. Also, there are clear adaptable skills, and technologies such as geothermal wells, carbon capture and storage that can enhance the petroleum industry during the transition period. The industry and the petroleum engineering curricular must also adopt innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things, and drones to augment the operations under a constantly evolving digital ecosystem. Petroleum Engineers must also expand their curricular to include SDGs, and ESGs, and apply their reservoir and petroleum economics skills into investment banking modules to be able to support the sourcing of funds for the oil and gas industry.
Keywords: Energy Transition, Fossil Fuel, Artificial Intelligence, Net Zero Emissions, Renewable Energy Sources, SDGs, ESGs, Internet of Things.
Title: PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DISCIPLINE AND THE REALITIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY AND BEYOND: A PRESCRIPTION FOR NIGERIA
Author: Dr Amieyeofori Valentine Felix, PhD
International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online)
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