As part of its continuous efforts to link theoretical knowledge with practical application and to refine students’ field skills, the College of Science organized a specialized scientific field trip for third- and fourth-year students of the Department of Applied Geology to the **South East Baghdad Oil Field, operated by the Central Oil Company**. The visit aimed to provide students with firsthand exposure to petroleum and geological operations at one of the country’s most significant national oil fields.

The first stage of the visit began with a formal reception by the field management, during which students met with the Field Department Director, the Head of the Drilling Division, and the **Head of the Geology Unit in the Southern Sector (S2)**. During this meeting, students received a comprehensive briefing on the geological characteristics of the field, its production history, and the development plans implemented by the Central Oil Company. Special emphasis was placed on **Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)** procedures, highlighting their integral role in the operational culture of sensitive oilfield sites.

The practical component of the visit then moved to one of the drilling rigs operated by the Central Oil Company, where students and accompanying faculty members examined the major components of the drilling rig and gained insight into the mechanical and technical operations on site. Students listened to detailed explanations regarding the **critical role of the geologist at the drilling site**, particularly in making real-time decisions based on subsurface data obtained during drilling operations.

The visit concluded with a focused tour of the **mudlogging laboratory** within the drilling rig—often described as the “eye of the geologist” in the field. There, students observed firsthand the examination of rock cuttings generated during drilling, real-time monitoring of gas ratios, immediate analysis of subsurface formations, and the use of modern instruments and software employed in subsurface geological monitoring.

This scientific field trip underscores the College’s commitment to preparing a new generation of geologists capable of seamless integration into the petroleum labor market, equipped with practical field experience and up-to-date technical knowledge.

The students, in turn, expressed their sincere appreciation to the management of the "Central Oil Company" and the staff of the **South East Baghdad Oil Field** for their warm reception and for providing this valuable educational opportunity, affirming that the field experience added a vital practical dimension to their academic studies.

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