Engineering

Diploma in Petroleum and Gas Technology

The Diploma in Petroleum and Gas Technology is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in petroleum exploration, drilling, gas processing, refinery operations and petroleum technology. Offered at Turkana University College, the programme prepares students for technical roles in Kenya's emerging oil and gas industry.

The curriculum covers petroleum geology, drilling technology, well logging, reservoir engineering, petroleum production, gas processing and transmission, refinery operations, petroleum chemistry, health and safety in oil and gas, environmental management, petroleum economics, instrumentation and control, industrial attachment and a technology project. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical technical skills.

Kenya's petroleum sector is developing with oil discoveries in Turkana County and ongoing exploration across the country. The programme responds to the need for trained technical personnel who can support petroleum exploration, production and processing operations in Kenya's emerging oil and gas industry.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, field visits to drilling sites and processing facilities, workshop sessions, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in petroleum technology through practical sessions and attachment at oil and gas companies.

Graduates pursue careers as petroleum engineering technicians, drilling assistants, refinery operators, gas processing technicians and safety officers in oil and gas companies, refineries and petrochemical plants. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in geology, engineering and the energy sector. The programme is suitable for students seeking technical careers in Kenya's petroleum and gas industry.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Day, Evening, Weekend
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Petroleum Geology and Drilling Technology
Well Logging and Reservoir Engineering
Petroleum Production and Refinery Operations
Gas Processing, Transmission and Petroleum Chemistry
Health, Safety and Environmental Management in Oil and Gas
Petroleum Economics and Instrumentation
Research Methods and Petroleum Technology Project
Industrial Attachment and Field Practice

Modules

8 in the programme

Petroleum Geology and Drilling Technology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers petroleum geology, sedimentary basins, petroleum formation, drilling technology, drilling rigs, drilling fluids, well construction and drilling safety.
Well Logging and Reservoir Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers well logging techniques, log interpretation, reservoir rock properties, reservoir fluids, reservoir drive mechanisms and reservoir management.
Petroleum Chemistry and Instrumentation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers petroleum chemistry, hydrocarbon chemistry, crude oil analysis, process instrumentation, control systems, sensors and measurement devices in petroleum operations.
Petroleum Production and Refinery Operations
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers petroleum production methods, artificial lift, well stimulation, surface production facilities, refinery processes, distillation, cracking and product blending.
Gas Processing, Transmission and Environmental Management
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers natural gas processing, gas sweetening, gas dehydration, gas transmission pipelines, compressor stations, environmental impact of petroleum operations and waste management.
Health, Safety and Petroleum Economics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers health and safety in oil and gas, HSE management systems, hazard identification, petroleum economics, project economics and cost analysis in petroleum projects.
Research Methods and Petroleum Technology Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methods, technical report writing, data analysis and a petroleum technology project assessed through a report and presentation.
Industrial Attachment and Field Practice
Year 3Semester 112 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an oil and gas company, refinery or petroleum service company, assessed through an attachment report and supervisor evaluation.

Specialisations

Drilling Technology
Focuses on drilling operations and well construction for careers as drilling assistants in oil companies.
Refinery Operations
Specialises in refinery processes and operations for careers as refinery operators.
Gas Processing
Focuses on natural gas processing and transmission for careers in gas processing facilities.
Health, Safety and Environment
Specialises in HSE management for careers as safety officers in the petroleum industry.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on petroleum geology or drilling technology, followed by a laboratory practical on petroleum chemistry or instrumentation. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to a drilling site, a workshop on refinery operations, or a safety training session. Students also work on petroleum technology projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme is located in Turkana County, at the centre of Kenya's oil exploration activities.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering or related degrees.
Kenya's emerging petroleum industry creates potential demand for trained technical personnel.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one institution, limiting study options.
Kenya's petroleum industry is still developing, so job opportunities may be limited in the short term.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kabete National Polytechnic67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TVET 67,189/yr public (Kabete NP). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. Oil companies operating in Turkana may offer sponsorships for local students. TUC may offer internal bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Relevant certificate course in a related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering petroleum geology, drilling technology and petroleum chemistry.
Laboratory and Workshop Practical Assessment
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of practical skills in petroleum chemistry, instrumentation and process operations through practical examinations.
Petroleum Technology Project
Project30% of the mark
A technology project on a petroleum engineering topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an oil and gas company, refinery or petroleum service company.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Turkana University College, School of Science.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Turkana University College, School of Science.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Petroleum Engineering Technician
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 250,000
Supports petroleum exploration and production operations, assists with drilling, monitors well performance and ensures operational compliance in oil companies.
Drilling Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 220,000
Assists with drilling operations, monitors drilling parameters, supports rig maintenance and ensures drilling safety in oil and gas companies.
Refinery Operator
Low demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 230,000
Operates refinery equipment, monitors processing units, conducts quality control and supports refinery operations in petroleum refineries.
Gas Processing Technician
Low demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 210,000
Supports gas processing operations, monitors gas treatment units, conducts gas quality testing and supports pipeline operations in gas processing facilities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as petroleum engineering technicians, drilling assistants, refinery operators and gas processing technicians in oil and gas companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Petroleum and gas technology is the same as petroleum management.
Petroleum and gas technology focuses on technical operations including drilling, production and processing, while petroleum management focuses on business and economic aspects of the industry.
There are no petroleum jobs in Kenya.
Kenya has active oil exploration in Turkana County and potential gas reserves, with growing demand for technical personnel in the petroleum sector.
Petroleum technology is only about extracting oil.
Petroleum technology encompasses exploration, drilling, production, refining, gas processing, environmental management and safety, alongside extraction.
You need to work in oil fields to use this qualification.
Graduates can work in refineries, processing plants, regulatory bodies, consulting firms and research institutions, not only in oil fields.