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Oil and Gas Electrical Engineering Systems Series

Stage 3 OPITO Certificate in Oil and Gas Electrical Engineering Systems, accredited by City & Guilds.

Course overview

The Oil and Gas Electrical Engineering Systems series covers the required and relevant knowledge to the electrical engineering maintenance sector, as well as theory, operation and practical application of electrical equipment and systems used in extraction.

The series consists of five units as detailed below:

  • Electrical safety
  • Electrical hazardous area equipment
  • Electric motors
  • Generation, distribution and control of electrical supplies
  • Electrical protection systems

These self-study units enable the learners to select learning materials that suit their own requirements. Units can be studied at the learners own pace and should be studied in the order set out. The study time needed will vary from one unit to another, and from one learner to another – we recommend between 40 - 60 hours for each unit.

Learners can register for units individually or enrol for the complete series – units are non-transferrable and can only be assigned to one learners. Each unit is assessed by examination and an individual certificate endorsed by City & Guilds is awarded to successful learners.

Each successfully passed exam will contribute to one certificate of unit towards ‘The Certificate in Electrical Engineering Systems'. The certificate will be awarded after all five certificates of unit credit have been accumulated.

Materials

Units are presented in a digital workbook PDF format.

Workbooks contain:

  • Syllabus breakdown
  • Training targets for learners to achieve by the end of each unit
  • ‘Test yourself’ questions
  • ‘Check yourself’ answers
  • Workbook activities
  • Chapter summaries

Who is this for?

The  Oil and Gas Electrical Engineering Systems series will be valuable to:

  • Non advanced electrical technicians who are looking to gain a recognised qualification, or who wish to refresh their understanding of oil and gas electrical engineering systems
  • Mechanical, Instrumentation and Process Technicians who need to build on their background knowledge
  • New technical or engineering graduates - as part of their induction programme
  • Electrical technicians in other industries who wish to gain or enhance their knowledge and understanding of oil and gas electrical engineering systems
  • Administrative staff that require an introduction to the technical background, and a key to the technical language.

Exams

There is a written exam at the end of each unit.
 

Exams can be held any time at an approved venue. There is no set time limit between starting a unit and sitting the exam.

When a learner is ready to take the exam an invigilator must be appointed on their behalf. The invigilator may be a Training Manager, Offshore Installation Manager or Senior Manager. The invigilator is responsible for the receipt of the exam papers, security of the papers, invigilation of the exam and return of the paper.

The invigilator must contact the Open Learning team at the UK office to arrange the dispatch of exams. Included with the papers will be an invigilation form for the invigilator's signature and rules and procedures for the exam.

The learners can also sit the exam at local college or learning centre. These arrangements must be made by the learner. Some colleges may charge an invigilation and room hire fee which the learner will be responsible for.

The examination is a two-hour closed book written exam. Section A has 20 short questions similar to the Test Yourself in the books. Section B comprises three questions of which two must be answered – these require good, neat, correctly labelled drawings and a good descriptor.

Pass Marks:

60%-74% - Pass

75%-84% - Credit

85%-100% - Distinction

‘Test Yourself’ questions are available in the workbooks to help you prepare for your exams.

There is no registration or examination fee. However, in order to be registered to sit the exam, the learner must have purchased each unit.

If learners do not achieve the required pass mark (60%) a re-sit exam can be arranged at no extra cost, only a pass grade will be awarded irrespective of the result. Should learners require a re-sit of the same unit more than once, there will be an examination fee of £30.00 GBP.

Exam Tips

The examination is a two hour closed book written exam.

Section A

Section A comprises 20 short answer questions similar to the Test Yourself section in the workbooks.

The learner should:

  • Read and understand what is being asked by the questions.
  • Some questions have more than one answer.
  • Check your answer for errors.
Section B

Section B comprises three questions of which two must be answered (25 marks each split approx. 10 marks for the diagram, 15 for description) – these require neat, correctly labelled drawings and a good descriptor. All questions in the paper relate to the information given in the workbooks.

  • When taking exams, it's crucial for learners to thoroughly understand and address the questions asked. Often, learners may identify keywords in a question and write everything they know about that topic without considering the specific task outlined. 
  • Before writing responses, learners should carefully read the questions, plan their answers, and ensure they fully address all aspects of the question. Well-planned answers demonstrate a structured and professional approach. Responses must be clear, credible, and directly relevant to the question posed. 
  • It's essential to provide legible, credible answers and address all components of the question. Moreover, concise or insufficient reports, as well as inaccurate or poor-quality drawings, will result in lost marks. Written content should be easily readable, and the use of workplace-specific abbreviations should be avoided. Only piping and valve symbols provided in the Open Learning study book are acceptable, and marks will be deducted for incorrect symbols. 
  • Learners should not assume that the marker will understand references or accept omitted sections due to perceived obviousness. Reports on processes or equipment should be thoroughly explained, with operations clearly depicted in accompanying sketches.

Exam Procedures

Costs

Each digital PDF unit is £158.33 + VAT GBP.

Payment may also be made by way of:

  • Sage pay (card payment)
  • An authorised company Purchase Order

Terms and conditions: 

Customers are entitled to cancel an order and return the goods within seven working days of receipt - this will result in a full refund. Customers can cancel their order by contacting the team in the UK office and quoting the order number supplied. The refund will be paid within 30 days.

Any goods returned should be in their original condition. The customer is responsible for the cost and risk of loss or damage when returning the goods.

Course Products

  1. Full Course

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £950.00

    • Electrical Safety
    • Electrical Hazard Area Equipment
    • Electric Motors
    • Generation, Distribution and Control of Electrical Supplies
    • Electrical Protection Systems
  2. Electrical Safety

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    The Electrical Safety unit is designed to give candidates an appreciation of the inherent dangers in the use of electrical energy and to introduce techniques for protecting people and property against danger and harm.

    1 workbook comprising 5 sections

    Recommended study hours: 40-60

    Sections:

    • Dangers of electricity
    • Safety documentation
    • Isolation and earthing of equipment
    • Portable equipment and handtools
    • Other safety issues
  3. Electrical Hazardous Area Equipment

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    The Electrical Hazardous Area Equipment unit is designed to give candidates an understanding of the techniques required to protect equipment operating in hazardous environments and the principles and limitations of such techniques. It considers the classification of zones and the need to use equipment protection appropriate to a particular zone of use.

    1 workbook comprising 6 sections

    Recommended study hours: 40-60 hours

    Sections:

    • Hazards, risks and control measures
    • Zones and properties of flammable materials
    • Hazardous protection requirements
    • Explosion protection by enclosure type
    • Explosion protection by other methods
    • Design, selection and installation of ex. Equipment
  4. Electric Motors

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    The Electric Motors unit is designed to give candidates the theory which underpins motor operation and the practical applications of electric motors in the oil and gas industry. The unit considers both single and three phase a.c. motors, applications and starting methods and provides candidates with sufficient information to allow them to use, inspect and test motors and to maintain them in the workplace.

    1 workbook comprising 6 sections

    Recommended study time: 40-60 hours

    Sections:

    • Motor operation
    • Choosing a motor
    • Motor starting methods
    • Motor enclosures and cooling
    • Motor testing
    • Motor maintenance
  5. Generation, Distribution and Control of Electrical Supplies

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    The Generation, Distribution and Control of Electrical Supplies unit is designed to give candidates the required theory on a.c generation, the operation of alternators and some of the practical applications of alternators.

    1 workbook comprising 6 sections

    Recommended hours of study: 40-60 hours

    Sections:

    • AC Generation
    • Voltage regulation
    • Operation and maintenance of three-phase alternator
    • Electrical distribution systems
    • Electrical diagrams
    • Transformers
  6. Electrical Protection Systems

    Open Learning

    Digital Download

    £190.00

    The Electrical Protection Systems unit is designed to give candidates an overview of the need for electrical protection of installations and equipment in the offshore environment.

    1 workbook comprising of 6 sections

    Recommended study time: 40-60 hours

    Sections:

    • The role of protection
    • System fault levels
    • Basic protection devices
    • The role of current and voltage transformers
    • Time graded overcurrent protection
    • Unit protection