Halliburton subsidiary Landmark has awarded the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Malaysia US$8.6 million in software licensing for students pursuing engineering degrees.

The grant, spanning a three-year period, will provide the students at UTP with access to Landmark's top drilling, production optimisation, field development and prospect generation applications.

"The grant represents a part of our overall effort to increase the recognition of UTP as an advanced Exploration and Production education and training centre," said Associate Professor Dr. Ibrahim Kamaruddin, director of Undergraduate Studies at UTP.

“Our undergraduate students will now have access to leading-edge software to facilitate cutting-edge research in our newly completed academic complex, which provides the students with state-of-the-art facilities in a dynamic learning environment.”

The university's mechanical engineering program is designed to produce skilled graduates who are creative and innovative in the design, analysis and operation management of mechanical engineering systems.

It also fosters research and development and leadership capabilities to serve Malaysia’s interest and to fulfil the technological needs and growth of Petronas.

Using the software included in the grant, the university plans to research drilling fluid formulation and optimisation using palm-oil derivatives, formation damage control in and around the wellbore, and feasibility of air injection in Malaysian reservoirs.