Petroleum Engineering Technology

Diploma

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Are you passionate about energy and technology? The petroleum industry has evolved significantly over the years, creating a greater demand for highly skilled professionals.

As a student in our two-year Petroleum Engineering Technology diploma program, you'll gain a deep understanding of the latest technologies and techniques used in the exploration, extraction, and production of oil and gas. You will gain hands-on experience through lab-based projects using award-winning drilling simulators and expert industry training.

At the same time, you will also learn about the critical importance of sustainability and the role of petroleum engineers in ensuring the responsible and efficient use of our natural resources.

Apply today and join the growing community of talented and dedicated professionals who are shaping the energy industry for the better.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) In-person Weekdays - Daytime Main 2 Years (Full-time) Waitlisting Open
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

View Campus Map

Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants also meet the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode. Each student is responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

Industry demand continues to grow for well-trained professionals with strong theoretical and practical skills – the kind of skills developed through NAIT's hands-on approach to learning. 

In both classroom and laboratory settings, you'll use custom-made, award-winning drilling simulators to learn rig operations, the safety and science of drilling and well completion processes through virtual reality.

Over the course of the program, you'll be instructed in the major disciplines of:

  • natural gas processing
  • oil and gas production optimization
  • drilling and well planning
  • completions and well interventions
  • formation evaluation and reservoir engineering
  • petroleum geology
  • conventional and enhanced oil recovery
  • project management
  • economics

Petroleum engineering technologists require a special set of skills, keen spatial awareness and the ability to work in a team. The Petroleum Engineering Technology program will ensure you're ready to enter the workforce by showing you how to:

  • Analyze, optimize and calculate economics of well operations and industry projects
  • Select and troubleshoot basic oil and gas facilities
  • Interpret subsurface data to evaluate reservoir potential
  • Adhere to regulatory frameworks to protect personnel, the public, and the environment
  • Demonstrate professional conduct and communication skills

Standardized industry training 

In the second year of the program, you'll complete a 5-day training session a the Energy Safety Canada Oil and Gas Production Facilities in Nisku, Alberta. Here you'll develop an important real-world understanding of theoretical concepts and participate in equipment optimization and process troubleshooting. 

PET Simulation PET students

Career Outcomes

Industries

  • Exploration, production, and pipeline sectors
  • Oil and gas companies
  • Oilfield service companies
  • Regulatory agencies

Median Starting Salary

The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Petroleum Engineering Technology Diploma is $78,000.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.

Grad Employment Rate

Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.

Download report

Take your career planning to the next level

This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.

Further education at NAIT

Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.

Further education at other institutions
  • Bachelor of Science, Petroleum Engineering – University of Alberta, Montana Tech and other universities with similar offerings
  • Bachelor of Science, Energy Engineering – University of Calgary
Other Opportunities

While enrolled in the program, you'll be eligible for student membership in the following professional associations:

After graduation and required work experience, you may also be eligible for professional accreditation.

Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Students in this program gain valuable work experience with Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. The WIL placement in this program is a Field Placement.

Field Placement

A Field Placement provides students with an intensive part-time or short-term hands-on practical experience in a setting relevant to their subject of study. Field placements may not require supervision of a registered or licensed professional and the completed hours are not required for professional certification.

Duration 3 weeks
Compensation Yes
International Students Co-op Work Permit required
Placement Identified By Student or Program Staff - students may be required to apply for WIL positions, or may be placed with an employer by the program. Please consult with program staff to learn more.
Student Interview Required Maybe
Non-academic requirements

Valid Driver's License - It is strongly recommended that students in the program have a valid Driver's License. Inability to drive negatively impacts the ability to obtain summer and full-time employment.

Benefits of a Field Placement
  • Understand more about career opportunities, expectations and requirements of the professional field
  • Gain the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment
  • Create networking opportunities in your chosen industry
  • Develop and improve communication, interpersonal and employment skills
  • Gain confidence in your professional skills
  • Explore career options and program specialization within the industry
  • Improve application for future positions by gaining industry experience and increasing your employability
Finding a placement
  • Create a profile on NAIT's job board, Career Connect
  • Create and maintain a current resume, cover letter and list of references
  • Apply for positions on Career Connect
  • Prepare for, and attend, employer interviews
  • Coordinate and communicate with your WIL Coordinator
  • Be flexible, professional, and participate fully in the recruitment process
  • Be aware of the anticipated outcomes of the placement
  • Notify the coordinator for your program once you have an employment offer and sign a WIL Agreement

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C in the course(s) or program

Applicants who have successfully completed other post-secondary courses may be eligible for advanced standing in Petroleum Engineering Technology courses. Applicants wishing to investigate this option must present the following:

  • mark transcripts of the previous related training
  • course outlines or adequate description of the courses

Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)

Please see below for the list of courses available for prior learning assesment and recognition (PLAR) credits in this program. Click on the course name for more information on the evidence required for that course.

Please refer to the Credit for Work and Life Experience page for more information on how to apply for PLAR credits.

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.

The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

Tuition

Cost Per Credit: $179.00

View international tuition for upcoming intakes

How much does first year cost?
Domestic cost estimate
International cost estimate

Mandatory Fees

View fee listing and breakdown

Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)

Level 1 Term 1: $1,150
Level 1 Term 2: $300
Level 2 Term 1: $300
Level 2 Term 2: $200


Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

Admission Requirements

This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.

Minimum entrance requirements

 

The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.

  • Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2)*
  • One of:
    • Grade 11 Chemistry (Chemistry 20), or
    • Grade 11 Physics (Physics 20), or
    • Grade 12 Science (Science 30)*
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency

*See Recommended Courses for more information.

Additional requirements & considerations

Alternative entrance pathways

 

If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.

  • Successful completion of minimum 24 post-secondary credits or 8 post-secondary courses* within an accredited or recognized degree or diploma in a related field (engineering or engineering technology) with an Admission GPA of 2.0 based on the most recently completed 24 post-secondary credits.

*Please note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee transfer credits. Transfer credits evaluation will take place after the student is accepted into the program.

Recommended courses

 

The following course(s) are recommended, as they provide important background for your program's content. Recommended courses are not required for admission and will not affect your application.

  • Math 30-1
  • Physics 20 or Chemistry 20

Post-admission requirements

 

Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.

The following certificates may be required to obtain a field placement, per industry requirements:
• CPR and Standard First Aid Training: Can be obtained through NAIT Continuing Education.
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG): Workplace might offer a specific TDG training, can be obtained through NAIT Continuing Education.
• H2S Alive Training: Can be obtained through approved industry providers.
• Common Safety Orientation (CSO): Can be obtained through approved industry providers.
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS): Typically workplace specific and offered by workplace, can be obtained through NAIT Continuing Education.
• Oilfield Driver Awareness (ODA)Training: can be obtained through industry providers.

Driver’s License Recommendation

A valid driver’s license is required for most jobs in this industry, including summer employment opportunities. It is strongly recommended that students obtain a driver's license prior to, or upon, enrollment into the program.

Not sure if you meet the requirements?

Learn more about how NAIT evaluates applications, and find resources on how to satisfy admissions criteria.

How applications are evaluated Submitting required documents

Dates & Deadlines

 
International
Applications Open:

Aug 01, 2024

 
International
Applications Deadline:

Once the program is full

 
Domestic
Applications Open:
Oct 01, 2024
 
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
 
Term Start Date:
Sep 02, 2025

Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility

This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement. Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.

While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.

Co-Op Work Permit

Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.

Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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