The University of Tulsa's Petroleum Engineering Department

Dan Boyko is Vice-President of Business Development and Exploitation at Open Range Energy Corp. in Calgary, Alberta. Dan started his career in the Oil and Gas industry in 1982 after graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Hydrocarbon Engineering Technology. After spending one year working as a production technologist in the heavy oil department at Petro-Canada in Calgary, the opportunity to further his education presented itself through a company assisted leave of absence program. Upon graduating from the University of Tulsa in 1985, Dan returned to Petro-Canada in Calgary as a production engineer. In 1988 Dan accepted a position at Omega Hydrocarbons in a reservoir and production supervisory role overseeing a large waterflood scheme. In 1992, Dan moved to Poco Petroleums Ltd. and worked in a number of departments including Business Development, Reservoir and Exploitation. During his term at Poco, he was instrumental in evaluating and acquiring a number of assets including the Brazeau River property from Amoco, the Snipe Lake field from Chevron and LL&E’s Canadian oil and gas properties. These assets played a key role in Poco’s successful and dramatic growth prior to its corporate sale to Burlington Resources in 1999. During his exploitation role Dan was also involved in growing his production area from 3000 to 7000 boed in a period of 3 years. As well, Dan led an exploitation project that set a North American horizontal well depth record utilizing Underbalanced Coil Tubing Drilling. Prior to participating in the formation of Open Range Energy, Dan was an independent consultant specializing in property evaluations, reservoir and production engineering. His clients included Devon Canada Energy, Pioneer Canada Resources, Compton Petroleum Corp. and Tempest Energy Ltd.

Dan graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, Magna Cum Laude. He was also co-recipient of the Thomas C. Frick Award for Outstanding Achievement in Petroleum Engineering. Dan enjoys his free time golfing, biking, scuba diving and skiing. Dan is a Canadian citizen born in Edmonton, Alberta and presently resides in Calgary.

Dan in his own words:

Why did you choose TU?

After reviewing a number of petroleum engineering programs both in Canada and the U.S., I came to the conclusion that Tulsa offered a significantly diverse petroleum program that was taught by a highly respected faculty that is recognized industry wide. (Also, the fact that Tulsa has significantly milder winters than Canada certainly helped in my decision!).

Did TU prepare you well?

Unquestionably! The key to solving engineering problems from the basic to the complex is the understanding and application of “first principles”. I believe Tulsa’s program develops this skill as well as any. It also built upon my previous practical experience to put the theory into perspective.

Any fond memories?

My memories of Tulsa center around all the great people I met and the friendships I developed with both students and faculty, many of whom I still am in contact with today. In fact a number of us Canadian TU grads still get together for lunch here in Calgary and rehash the old days at TU. (I also remember having the odd tequila shot after classes with an “old” professor, but that is another story!).