Career as Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum engineering is a field of engineering concerned with the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. Exploration and Production are deemed to fall within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. Exploration, by earth scientists, and petroleum engineering are the oil and gas industry's two main subsurface disciplines, which focus on maximizing economic recovery of hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs. Petroleum geology and geophysics focus on provision of a static description of the hydrocarbon reservoir rock, while petroleum engineering focuses on estimation of the recoverable volume of this resource using a detailed understanding of the physical behavior of oil, water and gas within porous rock at very high pressure. The combined efforts of geologists and petroleum engineers throughout the life of a hydrocarbon accumulation determine the way in which a reservoir is developed and depleted, and usually they have the highest impact on field economics. Petroleum engineering requires a good knowledge of many other related disciplines, such as geophysics, petroleum geology, drilling, economics, reservoir simulation, reservoir engineering, well engineering, artificial lift systems, completions and oil and gas facilities engineering.
Job Profile
A petroleum engineer is involved in nearly all of the stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. The aim of their work is to maximize hydrocarbon recovery at minimum cost while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact.
The actual tasks carried out vary depending on the specific role but may include:
- Liaising with geoscientists, production and reservoir engineers, and commercial managers to interpret well-logging results and predict production potential;
- Compiling detailed development plans of reservoir performance using mathematical models to ensure maximum economic recovery;
- Selecting optimal tubing size and suitable equipment within the well for different functions;
- Designing the completion - the part of the well that communicates with the reservoir rock and fluids;
- Designing systems that help the well to flow, for example using submersible pumps;
- Managing problems of fluid behavior and production chemistry;
- Evaluating and recommending flow rate enhancement by using, for example, hydraulic fracturing and acid treatment.
- Managing and controlling wells with branches at the bottom .
- Using well and reservoir remote sensing technology and surveillance data to manage the value of the reservoir and decide on appropriate engineering interventions;
- Understanding and managing how a set of wells interact;
- Managing contractor relationships in relation to health, safety and environmental performance;
- Supervising well-site operations personnel and managing staff at all levels, including the training and supervision of crew members, to ensure that everyone works as a team in order to meet deadlines to clients' satisfaction;
- Liaising with separate departments to ensure correct progress with projects;
- Taking responsibility for the maintenance of equipment;
- Liaising with clients to keep them informed of progress.
Skills required
Some employers may ask for a postgraduate qualification in petroleum engineering. Entry on to such courses may be possible with a good numerate degree, as long as an interest in the petroleum engineering industry can be proven.
Potential candidates need to show evidence of the following:
- Technical capability;
- Strong business awareness;
- Analytical and creative skills;
- Managerial potential;
- The ability to motivate staff at all levels;
- The ability to work internationally and in offshore environments;
- Team working skills;
- Drive and enthusiasm;
- The ability to solve complex problems, regardless of location and circumstances;
- Willingness to tackle engineering challenges;
- Flexibility and the ability to work on a range of projects;
- Computer literacy.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In order to become a petroleum engineer; you need to have certain skills along with the educational qualifications. Management, organizational, analytical, team-working and problem solving skills are required to shine in this field. As an aspiring petroleum engineer, you must keep yourself abreast with the latest advancements in the field. Employers prefer to recruit candidates for the position of petroleum engineer who possess a willingness to overcome challenges and who can adapt to any work environment. Employers look for relevant degree subjects such as physical, mathematical or applied sciences and engineering. In particular, the following subjects may increase your chances of securing a job:
- Aeronautical engineering.
- Astrophysics.
- Chemical engineering.
- Civil engineering.
- Earth sciences.
- Mathematics.
- Mechanical engineering.
- Petroleum engineering.
Earnings
A Petroleum Engineer will normally receive a compensation ranging from 96000 and 144000 depending on the level of seniority. Petroleum Engineers can earn a compensation of One Hundred Twenty Eight Thousand Eight Hundred dollars annually. Petroleum Engineers are compensated most highly in Arkansas, where they receive average pay scales of approximately $180150. People in this category of job have the highest pay levels in Management of Companies and Enterprises, where they receive average wages of $179610.
Recruiting Companies
IBP Co. Limited
• Lubricants India
• Oil Gas India
• Petrosil Group
• Shiv-Vani Universal
• ONGC
• Bharat Petroleum
• Reliance Petroleum Limited
• Essar Oil Limited
• Gas Authority of India
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation
• Aban
• Oil India Limited
• Tata Petrodyne
• Bongaigaon Refinery
• Gas Projects (India) Private Limited
• Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited
• India LPG
• Kochi Refineries Limited
How do I get there?
Option 1:
Entry is possible without a third level qualification which means jobs are open to graduates from all disciplines, but relevant qualifications are becoming increasingly more in demand by employers. In addition, most employers ask for some previous experience within the Petroleum Field.
To be a Petroleum Engineer you should have:
- Strong technical skills
- Team working skills
- Numerical skills
- IT skills
- Good health and fitness.
Postgraduate study
ME in Petroleum Engineering
Specific entry requirements
Previous relevant work experience is often a requirement.
Pathway Courses
In Abroad
Where to study?
- Aalto University
- Abo Akademi
- Alagappa College of Technology Campus
- Auckland University of Technology
- Bharath University
- California Baptist University
- College of Engineering Guindy Campus
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University
- Czestochowa University of Technology
- Eastern Michigan University
- George Mason University
- Grand Valley State University
- Keele University
- Kingston University
- Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
- Latvian Academy of Culture
- Loughborough University
- Madras Institute of Technology
- McGill University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Miami University
- Plymouth University International College
- Prathyusha Institute of Technology and Management
- Ryerson University
- School of architecture and planning
- Swansea University
- University Of Bridgeport
- University of Connecticut
- University of East Anglia
- University of Essex
- University of Iowa
- University of Johannesburg
- University of Kent
- University Of Limerick
- University of Liverpool
- University of Ljubljana
- University of North Dakota
- University of Porto
- University of Portsmouth
- UNIVERSITY OF REZEKNE
- University of Surrey
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Zielona Gora
- Vidzeme University College
- Waterford Institute Of Technology
- Wayne State University
- Wentworth Institute of Technology