Petroleum Land Administration

Credential:: certificate More info on program credentials
Program length:: 15 weeks Learn more about program length
Location:: Online More info on program location
International applicant info:: Not Accepted | CIP: 52.0401 Learn more about international applicant eligibility
Faculty:: MacPhail School of Energy
CAJG Eligible

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Overview

Designed to equip you with the fundamentals of petroleum land administration, this program provides a specialized education in the management of land contracts, agreements and related documentation required by the energy industry.

You will gain in-depth knowledge of leases, transfers, joint venture agreements and other vital land-related correspondences.

In this program, you will:

master the interpretation and management of various land contracts and agreements
develop an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding land administration
develop the skills to administer land agreements that govern freehold, Crown and Aboriginal lands
gain the knowledge to work effectively within land departments of energy companies, government bodies and land consultancy firms.

Prepare for various roles in land administration, with potential positions including petroleum land administrator, land clerk or land officer.

The petroleum industry is always seeking skilled personnel to handle complex land administration tasks, and our program sets you up for success in this field.

If you are looking for a role that combines the petroleum industry's legal, technical and administrative aspects, this program is for you.

To work in petroleum land administration, you need:

written and verbal communication skills
analytical, time-management and problem-solving skills
organizational skills and attention to detail
patience
ability to work with little supervision
computer skills.

You should enjoy following clear rules, keeping organized, and dealing with legal matters.

After successfully completing this program, you'll receive a SAIT Petroleum Land Administration certificate.

Download program info

Careers and opportunities

Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni.

people icon 100% graduate employment rate

Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 12102, 10029, 14301, 41401.

Career planning support

Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.

You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.

Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.

Take our career finder quiz

Courses

The Petroleum Land Administration certificate requires 15 credits (six courses) to complete.

You'll have up to five years from the start of your first course to complete all required courses.

Course	Credits
As the first course of the Petroleum Land Administration Certificate Program at SAIT, this course introduces the student to a basic understanding of key concepts in land administration including: Federal and Provincial land history and ownership; the role of land administration; land survey systems, Table of Formations; Crown Mineral Tenure (AB, SK & BC); Freehold Mineral Tenure; and Surface rights in Alberta.	1.5
This course introduces the student to a basic understanding of documentation associated with freehold leases, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan Crown leases including special topics such as unitization, rentals, caveats, transfers, assignments and continuations. Pre-requisites: LAND 210	3
This course covers the various joint venture agreements created and administered by the Land Department. Some of the Agreements covered include Joint Operating Agreements, Farmin/Farmout Agreements, Option Agreements, Pooling Agreements, Royalty Agreements, Notice of Assignment and so on. Also covered are various industry procedures such as CAPL Operating Procedure, Farmout and Royalty Procedure and Assignment Procedure. Exercises and Assignments relate to contract review and interpretation. Pre-requisites: LAND 212	3
An excellent review of land administration for anyone in the field, this course is also a valuable tool to assist those new to land administration in applying their knowledge to current, industry relevant examples. Various methods discussed and completed to update records for continuation, various obligations, changes in working interests, royalties, producing lands, and unitization. Incorporates an introduction to a land system software. Pre-requisites: LAND 212 LAND 213	3
Introduces the structure of a typical Surface Land Department; land titles and Crown land record systems; survey systems; Directive 56 and its implications; third-party agreements, surface leases and right-of-way agreements; functions of the Surface Rights Board; components of surface land administration associated with acquisitions and divestitures and asset management. Pre-requisites: LAND 210	3
This course is an excellent overview of the oil and gas industry including upstream, downstream and midstream in Alberta, Canada and around the globe. Lectures cover the history of the petroleum industry including major petroleum regions, global oil production, capacity for growth, Canadian exploration, regulation & compliance and petroleum land administration; transportation and pipelines.	1.5

Progression

You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.

To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

There are no further admission requirements for this program.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements outlined above with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

Upgrade

English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Learn more

Transfer agreements

At SAIT, we have created transfer agreements with partner institutions to allow you to earn course credits toward your SAIT program based on your previously completed credentials.

Transfer Alberta search tool

Use the Transfer Alberta search tool to see all transfer agreements between Alberta post-secondary institutions (including those with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.)

Search transfer agreements in Alberta

There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.

Transfer options for graduates

When you have completed this program, you may continue your education at a partner post-secondary institution. These transfer agreements include partnerships within and/or outside of Canada.

Available intakes

Fall 2025

Start dates:

Sep 02, 2025

Domestic students: Waitlisted: Application deadline: June 30, 2025

Costs

2025/26 tuition and fees

The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2025.

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees is based on completing the program in one semester of study. Following a modified schedule will impact the fees you pay per semester and may alter final costs.

Domestic students

The estimated total cost of tuition and fees for domestic students is based on the recommended course load per year.
Year	Number of semesters	Tuition fees	Additional fees	Total per year
1	1	$6,615	$854.30*	$7,469.30
Total cost:				$7,469.30

_{*You will not be eligible for the UPass in this program.}

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

No textbooks are required.

Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Learn more

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Fees

Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)

Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside the typical 15-week program.

2024/25 fees per semester

Fees are subject to change without notice.

A breakdown of mandatory fees based on whether you are taking less than or more than nine credits per semester
SAIT fees	Less than 9 credits/semester	9 or more credits/semester
Campus athletic and recreation fee: supports the provision of recreation and fitness facilities, movement classes, wellness programs, events, intermural activities, varsity sports programs, and a variety of initiatives offered throughout the academic year. Exemptions to recreation fees are made in some circumstances.	$51.50	$103
Student support fee: supports services and resources to help you succeed throughout your academic career, including Career Advancement Services and Student Development and Counselling.	$53.75	$107.50
Student technology fee: supports improvements to cybersecurity to protect student and institutional information, access to learning material outside the classroom, and technology to enhance your experience.	$53.75	$107.50
UPass: provides you with unlimited access to Calgary Transit. Additional eligibility requirements apply to obtain a UPass.	n/a	$165
Saitsa fees
Saitsa fee: supports the student-led, non-profit organization representing students. Fees support the operation of various student services, activities, and programming. Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.	$16.23/credit	$146 maximum
Health and dental plan: provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services, and multiple other benefits. Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. Find more details at saitsa.com/benefits. In most cases, your fees are quoted based on paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and dental coverage may opt-out.	n/a	$91 for health $84 for dental

Application process

Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the macphail.students@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

Begin your application

Apply now using the online application portal.

Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants.

Apply now

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

What sets SAIT apart
An introduction to the program and area of study
Admission requirements
Future career paths
Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

MacPhail School of Energy

Phone: 403.284.8451
Email: macphail.students@sait.ca

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Petroleum Land Administration

On this page:

Overview