GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 is outlined here to boost the preparation of candidates for the upcoming exam. Find out the comprehensive GATE PE Syllabus with section-wise weightage.
Girijesh Singh10 Apr, 2025
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GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026: IIT Guwahati will administer the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering for 30 various specializations including Petroleum Engineering. Candidates who are appearing forGATE 2026 Petroleum Engineering paper must thoroughly understand the syllabus to know the topics on which questions will be asked.
The GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 includes General Aptitude and Core Subjects to evaluate the technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities of aspirants. Reviewing the in-depth GATE Syllabus is essential for aspirants to prepare well. In this article, we have outlined the topic-wise details of the GATE 2026 Petroleum Engineering Syllabus to boost the aspirant's preparation.
GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026
Petroleum Engineering is a premier specialization which involves exploration, production, and management of hydrocarbons, including crude oil and natural gas. The GATE exam is conducted for Petroleum Engineering to provide postgraduate admission to students as well as job opportunities in PSUs.
In order to prepare effectively for the GATE 2026 PE examination, candidates must go through the entire syllabus to know the variety of topics across different subjects. The topics and sub-topics that must be covered for each subject in the GATE 2026 Petroleum Engineering discipline are detailed below.
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Syllabus 2026 PDF
The GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 will be uploaded by the IIT Guwahati in PDF format at gate.iitg.ac.in. Candidates can access the previous year's GATE PE Syllabus PDF by clicking the direct link below. Candidates can use the PDF to study for the next exam, or they can print it out to keep the syllabus handy. To download the GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) syllabus, click the direct link available here.
The complete GATE syllabus for Petroleum Engineering is described below:
GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 For General Aptitude (GA)
The General Aptitude section is common to all the GATE papers. The detailed General Aptitude Gate syllabus for Petroleum Engineering is given below -
Topics
Syllabus
Verbal Aptitude
English grammar
Vocabularies
Reading and comprehension
Narrative sequencing
Quantitative Aptitude
Data interpretation
2 & 3-dimensional plots
Maps & tables
Numerical computation & estimation that includes ratios, percentages, powers, exponents & logarithms
Permutations & combinations
Mensuration & geometry
Elementary statistics & probability
Analytical Aptitude
Logic: Deduction & induction Analogy
Numerical relations & reasoning
Spatial Aptitude
Transformation of shapes like translation, mirroring , rotation & scaling
Assembling & grouping
Paper folding, cutting, and patterns (2 & 3 dimensions)
Gate Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 For Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Mathematics is also common to all the streams. The detailed Engineering Mathematics Gate syllabus for Petroleum Engineering is given below -
Topics
Syllabus
Linear Algebra
Linear dependence and independence
Vector space
Matrix algebra, eigenvalues and eigen vectors
Solution of linear equations- existence and uniqueness
Rank .
Calculus
Mean value theorems
Theorems of integral calculus
Evaluation of definite and improper integrals
Partial derivatives, maxima and minima
Multiple integrals, line, surface and volume integrals
Taylor series
Differential Equations
First order equations (linear and nonlinear)
Higher order linear differential equations
Cauchy's and Euler's equations
Methods of solution using variation of parameters
Complementary function and particular integral
Partial differential equations
Variable separable method
initial and boundary value problems
Vector Analysis
Vectors in plane and space
Vector operations
Gradient, divergence and curl
Gauss's, Green's and Stokes’ theorems.
Complex Analysis
Analytic functions
Cauchy’s integral theorem
Cauchy’s integral formula, sequences, series, convergence tests
Taylor and Laurent series, residue theorem.
Probability and Statistics
Mean, median, mode, standard deviation
Combinatorial probability
Probability distributions
Binomial distribution
Poisson distribution
Exponential distribution
Normal distribution
Joint and conditional probability.
Gate Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 For Core Subjects
The core subjects for the GATE 2026 Petroleum Engineering (PE) Syllabus is given below -
Subject
Topics
Petroleum Exploration
Classification and description of some common rocks with special reference to clastic and non-clastic reservoir rocks
Origin, migration and accumulation of Petroleum
Petroleum exploration methods.
Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology
Well planned
Drilling method
Drilling rigs Rig operating systems.
Drilling fluids function and properties
Drilling fluid maintenance equipment.
Oil & gas well-cementing operations
Drill bit types and their applications
Drill string & Casing string function
Operations, selection & design
Drilling problems , their control & remedies.
Directional drilling tools
Directional survey
Application of horizontal, multilateral, extended reach, slim wells.
Reservoir Engineering
Petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks
Coring and core analysis
Reservoir fluid properties.
Phase behaviour of hydrocarbon system
The flow of fluids through porous media.
Water and gas coming
Reservoir pressure measurements
Reservoir drives
Drive mechanics
Recovery factors
Reserve estimation techniques.
Petroleum Production Operations
Well equipment.
Well-completion techniques.
Well production problems and mitigation.
Well servicing & Workover operations.
Workover & completion fluids
Formation damage
Well stimulation techniques.
Artificial lift techniques.
Field processing of oil & gas.
Storage and transportation of petroleum and petroleum products.
Metering and measurements of oil & gas.
Production system analysis & optimization. Production testing.
Multiphase flow in tubing and flow-lines.
Nodal system analysis.
Pressure vessels
Storage tanks
Shell and tube heat exchangers
Pumps and compressors
LNG value chain.
Offshore Drilling and Production Practices
Offshore oil and gas operations
ocean environment
Offshore fixed platforms
Offshore mobile units
Station keeping methods like mooring & dynamic positioning system.
Offshore drilling from fixed platform, jack-up, ships and semi submersibles
Use of conductors and risers
Offshore well completion.
Deep water applications of subsea technology
Offshore production
Oil processing platforms
Water injection platforms
Storage
SPM and SBM transportation and utilities
Deep water drilling rig
Deep water production system
Emerging deep water technologies.
Petroleum Formation Evaluation
Evaluation of petrophysical of sub-surface formations:
Principles applications of SP
Advantages and disadvantages of SP
Resistivity, radioactive, acoustic logs and types of tools used.
Evaluation of CBL/VDL, USIT, SFT, RFT. Production logging tools, principles, limitations, deepwater, and applications. The special type of logging tools.
Casing inspection tools (principles, applications, and limitations)
Formations micro scanner (FMS)
NMR logging principles
Standard log interpretation methods.
Cross-plotting methods.
Oil and Gas Well Testing
Diffusivity equation, derivation & solutions.
The radius of investigation.
Principle of superposition.
Horner’s approximation
Drill Stem Testing.
Pressure Transient Tests - Drawdown and buildup- test analysis, Wellbore effects, Multilayer reservoirs, Injection well testing, Multiple well testing, Interference testing, Pulse testing, Well-test analysis by use of type curves, Gas well testing.
Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry
Health hazards in the Petroleum Industry- Toxicity, Physiological, Asphyxiation, Respiratory and skin effect of petroleum hydrocarbons and Sour gases.
Safety System- Manual & automatic shutdown system, Blowdown systems, Gas detection system, Fire detection and suppression systems, Personal protection system & measures.
HSE Policies
Disaster & crisis management in the Petroleum Industry.
Environment - Environment concepts, Impact on the ecosystem, air, water, and soil, The impact of drilling & production operations on the environment, Environmental transport of petroleum wastes, Offshore environmental studies, Offshore oil spill and oil spill control, Waste treatment methods.
Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques
Basic principles and mechanism of EOR
Screening of EOR process
Concept of pattern flooding
Recovery efficiency
Permeability heterogeneity
Macroscopic and microscopic displacement efficiency.
EOR methods - Chemical flooding, Miscible flooding, Thermal recoveries (steam stimulation, Hot water & steam flooding, in-situ combustion) and Microbial EOR.
Latest trends in Petroleum Engineering
Coal bed methane
Shale gas
Oil shale
Gas hydrate
Heavy oil and Petroleum Engineering
GATE Petroleum Engineering (PE) Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates who aspire to ace the GATE PE Exam 2026 with a good score must go through the exam pattern set by the conducting authority to understand the paper format. Along with the GATE Exam Syllabus for Petroleum Engineering, the marking scheme will help the students to prepare well accordingly.
Here is the GATE Petroleum Engineering Exam Pattern 2026 is provided to enhance your test preparation:
GATE PE Exam Pattern 2026
Particulars
Details
Mode of Exam
Online
Number of Questions
65
Duration of Exam
3 hours
Pattern of Questions
General Aptitude - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
With the help of GATE Petroleum Engineering Sectional Weightage, aspirants can prioritize high-weightage sections and devote their study time accordingly in order to score well.
Moreover, the GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 can be distributed into two sections: one for general aptitude and another for all the core subjects of Petroleum Engineering.
GATE PE Sectional Weightage
Section
Marks per Question
Number of Questions
Total Marks
General Aptitude
1
5
5
2
5
10
Petroleum Engineering
1
25
25
2
30
60
Total questions and marks
65
100
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GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Q. What is the GATE Petroleum Engineering syllabus 2026?
Ans. The GATE Petroleum Engineering Syllabus 2026 consists of 11 sections, which are explained above in the article.
Q. How many applicants pass the GATE exam for petroleum engineering each year?
Ans. Every year, nearly 21–30% of applicants pass the GATE Petroleum Engineering exam. Before taking the GATE 2025 exam, students are suggested to complete a significant number of mock exams to succeed.
Q. Does the GATE Petroleum Engineering syllabus 2026 include general aptitude?
Ans. Yes, General Aptitude is mandatory in the GATE petroleum engineering syllabus 2026.
Q. What are the topics covered in GATE PE Syllabus 2026?
Ans. The GATE PE Syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of topics from General Aptitude, Petroleum Exploration, Oil and Gas Well Drilling Technology, Reservoir Engineering, Petroleum Production Operations, Offshore Drilling and Production Practices, Petroleum Formation Evaluation, Oil and Gas Well Testing, Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Industry, Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques and Latest Trends in Petroleum Engineering.
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Girijesh Singh10 Apr, 2025
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