Free geosteering licenses for students and teachers
As part of our academic program, Bitcap is giving free, permanent PathFinder licenses to geoscience and petroleum engineering students and their teachers at universities worldwide.
A note from our founders
When we first entered the industry, there was no clear path to learning geosteering. Commercial training was expensive, there was no software to keep practicing on after the course, and a two-week trial is nowhere near enough to build real skill.
With a mission to make geosteering accessible to everyone, we built our own software: PathFinder. Now we want to make sure the next generation never faces that same gap. That's why Bitcap is giving university students free perpetual PathFinder licenses that they keep after graduation, along with free hands-on virtual training that leads to a geosteering certification.
What students and teachers get
The same professional software operators use to steer horizontal wells, plus everything instructors need to teach with it.
Full professional license
Not a limited student edition. The same PathFinder version our customers use to steer real wells.
Permanent access
Licenses don't expire. Graduates keep theirs to keep practising and build a portfolio. Paid or commercial work needs a commercial license.
Teaching materials
Course modules, exercises and slides instructors can use in class right away.
Sample well datasets
Real horizontal-well data, so students can practise steering, picking tops and staying in zone.
Support for teachers
Onboarding for instructors and teaching assistants, and a direct contact at Bitcap.
Geosteering certification
Students who complete our weekend training earn a certification they can put on their resume.
Every student gets 12 hours of live, hands-on training
We run free virtual training sessions for students on weekends: 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. Students who complete all 12 hours earn a geosteering certification.
How it works
Tell us how many you need
Open the license request form with how many students and teachers need licenses — for example, 40.
We reserve your licenses
We set aside licenses for you and your students and confirm by email.
Get set up
Students and instructors activate with their university email address. We onboard you and share teaching materials and datasets.
Teach and learn
Use PathFinder in your courses, labs and capstones, and enrol students in our free 12-hour weekend training.
Who can take part
- Students in geology, geophysics, geological engineering and petroleum engineering
- Faculty, instructors and teaching assistants in those programs
- Accredited universities and colleges worldwide
Good to know
- Licenses are for education and non-commercial use, including after graduation
- The program is offered where Bitcap can legally provide software, under applicable export-control and sanctions laws
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no cost, no trial period and nothing to buy, now or later. You can't become a geosteering expert on a two-week trial, so we're giving students the time and tools to learn it properly.
What happens when a student graduates?
They keep their license for learning, practice and portfolio work. Using PathFinder for paid or commercial work, such as steering wells for an employer or a client, requires a commercial license.
What is the certification training?
Free live, virtual hands-on geosteering sessions for students, held on weekends: 2 hours a week for 6 weeks, 12 hours in total. Students who complete the program earn a geosteering certification.
Is this a limited student edition?
No. It's the full professional version of PathFinder, the same one our customers use on real wells.
How many licenses can we ask for?
As many as you need for your students and teaching staff. Tell us how many you need now, and we can add more as new classes start.
Can I share this with colleagues?
Please do. Share this page with any colleague or department who may be interested, or connect us directly.
Is my country eligible?
The program is open worldwide, except where export-control or sanctions laws prevent us from providing software. If you're unsure, write to us and we'll confirm.
Reserve licenses for your students
Tell us how many students and teachers need licenses, and we will set them aside for you.