Insights: PETEX and in-person petroleum learning in the age of AI

Woodrow Winchester III discusses PETEX’s diverse educational offerings, including instructor-led courses and e-learning, emphasizing the importance of in-person training amidst advancing AI technologies.
Listen on Apple buttonListen on Spotify buttonListen on iHeartRadio buttonListen on Podbean button

 

In this Insights episode of the Oil & Gas Journal ReEnterprised podcast, Head of Content Chris Smith talks with Woodrow Winchester III, manager of University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering Petroleum Extension (PETEX).

PETEX is a continuing education program for oil and gas professionals across the industry’s upstream, midstream, downstream, and health, safety & environment (HSE) segments. It offers a combination of instructor-led training in a variety of settings—including bespoke on site courses—and self-study e-learning programs covering topics from exploration and well control to refining and transportation.

During the conversation, Chris and Woodrow talk about the evolution of PETEX’s mission over its decades of operation, Rig School (the star of its current lineup), and the program’s approach to emerging energies such as hydrogen. The two also consider the continued role of in-person training and knowledge-housed-in-humans in the face of an ever-expanding universe of artificial intelligence.

Resources

https://petex.utexas.edu/

www.linkedin.com/company/utpetex/

https://www.facebook.com/UTPETEX/

Email for questions, instructors, or company inquiries: [email protected] 

About the Author

Christopher E. Smith

Editor in Chief

Chris joined Oil & Gas Journal in 2005 as Pipeline Editor, having already worked for more than a decade in a variety of oil and gas industry analysis and reporting roles. He became editor-in-chief in 2019 and head of content in 2025.

Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates