Kuwait University opens petroleum lab to train geology students

Kuwait University has opened a Petroleum Services Laboratory at its College of Science in collaboration with SLB, aiming to strengthen practical training for geology students and support research by faculty members.

Inaugurated on Oct 14, the facility is designed for students studying geology and petroleum geology, including those pursuing master’s degrees. It provides specialised software and techniques used to explore petroleum reservoirs and examine underground rock layers, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), whose report was published by Kuwait Times.

Dr Haider Behbehani, dean of the College of Science, said the laboratory would help students connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications and familiarise themselves with technologies used in the oil industry.

The facility is intended to expose students to digital tools used to study geological formations and identify underground petroleum resources. Such training can help students understand how geological data and exploration technologies are applied in the energy sector.

University-industry collaboration

Dr Fawzia Abdullah, assistant dean for planning, consultations and training at the College of Science, said the laboratory would allow students to learn software used in petroleum exploration and develop their technical skills through digital tools for studying geological formations.

Behbehani highlighted the role of partnerships between academic institutions and the oil industry in developing teaching and research, keeping pace with technological advances and preparing graduates for employment.

The laboratory’s opening was attended by representatives of SLB, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), alongside faculty members from the university’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The collaboration brings an industry-linked training facility into the university’s science programmes, with a focus on applied learning in earth sciences and petroleum geology. The university said such facilities can help prepare qualified specialists for the sector, although it did not announce specific placement targets or employment guarantees linked to the laboratory.