New reservoir performance software donated
to train students for petroleum industry careers will also support independent research
projects of geology and geological engineering faculty and students.
The gift valued at $1.8 million from
international oilfield services giant Baker Hughes Incorporated includes:
- JewelSuite™
software for geologic modeling, reservoir engineering, 3D and 4D geomechanics,
and wellbore stability
- MFrac™
and MShale™ software packages for fracture modeling and design
- Completion
ArchiTEX™ (CTX) software for completions design.
The software will be used in
geology and geological engineering classes, including drilling and production
engineering, petroleum geology, the petroleum field camp and a new geomechanics
course to help develop Mines students as future industry leaders. In recent
years, 20 percent of Mines graduates have gone on to careers in the energy
industry, and Baker Hughes has been the fifth-highest employer of Mines
graduates for the past five years.
South Dakota School of Mines
announced its Energy Resources Initiative three years ago to leverage the
university’s expertise and research in rock properties, water resources and
materials development, as well as its location in an energy-rich region of the country,
within 300 miles of the Williston, Denver and Powder River basins.