One of the fundamental challenges associated with hydrocarbon production is ensuring the integrity of the assets used to extract and transport process fluids, particularly from effects such as internal corrosion. As a result, the demand for qualified corrosion engineers with specific expertise in oilfield operations continues to grow.
This course is appropriate for professional engineers in industry who are seeking to expand their expertise, as well as graduate engineers or physical scientists looking to gain specialist knowledge relevant to the oil and gas sector.
The course develops your skills in measuring, predicting and managing corrosion as well as assessing asset integrity. Optional modules allow you to focus on topics relevant to your interests and career plans.
Taught by academic staff at the forefront of their fields, the course enables you to develop a range of skills and a solid knowledge base from which to launch an exciting career within the oil and gas industry.
You’ll learn in a stimulating research environment supported by world-class specialist facilities which support the individual project element of the programme. These include access to equipment such as high temperature/high pressure autoclaves, quartz crystal microbalance, erosion-corrosion rigs/flow loops, rotating cylinder electrodes/bubble cells, visualisation cells and potentiostats with AC/DC capabilities.
The projects are also supported by access to our corrosion lab’s own advanced surface analysis suite, containing optical microscopes, mini-sims, IR/UV spectroscopy techniques, atomic force microscopes and a nano-indenter.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
Core modules in each semester provide you with a thorough understanding of key aspects of oilfield corrosion engineering. You’ll study topics which cover aspects such as material selection, chemical inhibition, surface engineering technologies, the principles of physical metallurgy, electrochemistry and corrosion management strategies for new or mature assets.
You’ll also select from optional modules that allow you to focus on specific topic areas such as tribology and its impact on mechanism design or engineering computation. Modules are also available through Leeds University Business School covering aspects of operations management, to prepare you for a range of roles in industry.
Throughout the programme you’ll complete your Professional Project – an independent piece of research on a topic within mechanical engineering that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. In the two taught semesters you’ll review the literature around a specific topic (chosen from an extensive list provided) and plan the project, before completing the design, analysis, computation, experimentation and writing up in the summer months.
Want to find out more information about your modules?
Take a look at the Oilfield Corrosion Engineering module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.
Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.
You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, poster sessions, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.
The professional project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.
Most projects are experimentally based and linked with companies within the oil and gas industry to ensure the topic of research is relevant to the field whilst also addressing a real-world problem.
Recent projects for MSc Oilfield Corrosion Engineering students have included:
With this qualification, excellent career options are open to you to practise as a professional corrosion engineer and play a major role in ensuring the safe and efficient recovery of natural resources.
Graduates have gone on for a range of companies such as BP, Petronas, Wood Group Kenny and EM&I.
You’ll also be well prepared to continue with research in this field, either within industry or at PhD level within academia.
You’ll have access to the wide range of engineering and computing careers resources held by our Employability team in our dedicated Employability Suite. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops. Our annual Engineering and Computing Careers Fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.
The University's Careers Centre also provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
