BP selects Rice University to lead consortium of renowned universities to support its global technical learning program

BP selects Rice University to lead consortium of renowned universities to support its global technical learning program

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News Staff

BP and Rice University this week announced a long-term agreement to create a consortium that will advance technical learning and development in BP’s global Exploration and Production (E&P) business. The consortium, led by Rice, has developed a five-year plan that will invest in research and develop training techniques, enhancing the transfer of knowledge and technical skills among BP employees worldwide.

In addition to Rice, the consortium will include Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Collaborative and Interactive Technologies in Houston and Heriot-Watt University, Imperial College and the University of Manchester in the U.K.
 
”Our partnership with these leading academic institutions is further evidence of BP’s use of learning and technological innovation to underpin its E&P growth strategy,” explained Andy Inglis, chief executive officer of BP E&P.

BP selected Rice to lead the consortium because of the university’s extensive track record in collaboration with other higher education institutions. Based in Houston, Rice has seven highly ranked academic schools, including natural sciences and engineering, and is also home to more than 40 specialized institutes, centers and consortia.

The consortium will support a worldwide program to promote knowledge transfer in the petrotechnical areas of subsurface geology, engineering, project management and operations.

“This venture provides Rice and the consortium with opportunities to advance our development of progressive teaching methods,” Rice Provost Eugene Levy said. “We’re excited about helping to expand learning and development for emerging and established energy industry professionals and to influence teaching in science, engineering and other technical subjects.”

BP’s Exploration and Production segment employs 10,000 petrotechnical professionals worldwide.