The University of Pittsburgh is launching a new program that seeks to future-proof degrees for people who want to work in the energy fields.

The Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering degree combines courses in traditional fossil fuel production with renewable technologies.

Pitt said the program will be the first of its kind in the country. Graduates will be qualified petroleum engineers that can adapt to a changing energy mix.

Bob Enick, professor and vice chair of research in Pitt’s Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, led the program’s development over the course of the last decade.

 ”We’re going to have more renewable energy content than any other program in the country that gives petroleum engineering degrees,” he said.

Enick said there is some overlap among the technologies; oil and natural gas drilling knowledge can apply to fields that aim to address climate change concerns, such as geothermal energy production and carbon removal and storage.

Program graduates will be able to push the energy transition forward, Enick said.

“What we’re trying to do is to inspire them and challenge them to actually make all these renewable technologies even better, even less expensive, even more efficient,” Enick said. “And the same with natural gas production, to make it safer with less leaks.”

Pitt first created the world’s first petroleum engineering program more than a century ago. Enick said the idea for the new degree came from alumni who became successful petroleum engineers, but were interested in a more modern, forward-looking education.

Because energy is often a political topic, it took years to come to a consensus on how the program should be structured. Enick said those involved in the development ultimately agreed on the combined program to meet the needs of the current energy job market in Western Pennsylvania — which is still dominated by natural gas — while offering a strong foundation in growing renewable energy fields.

Core courses will cover topics including geology, chemistry, drilling, solar, wind, hydro, biofuels, energy storage and underground CO2 disposal.

Enick said they plan to offer new, sophomore-level courses next fall.