Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Oil and Gas Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Oil and Gas Jobs

Oil and gas companies engage in or support upstream oil and gas activities, such as the exploration, development and production of crude petroleum and/or natural gas.

Oil and gas occupations include exploration engineers, drilling engineers, drillers, roughnecks, derrickmen, roustabouts, reservoir engineers, pipeline engineers, petroleum engineers and chemists, crude oil marketing analysts, gas marketing specialists, oil and gas traders, gas plant personnel and wellhead operators

Oil and gas companies search the world for reservoirs containing oil or natural gas. Once these resources are discovered, oil and gas companies work with petroleum engineers, geologists and other specialists to understand the geologic formation and properties of the rock containing the reservoir, determine the drilling methods to be used, and monitor drilling and production operations.

Oil and gas companies design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas.

Oil and gas companies rely heavily on computer models to simulate reservoir performance using different recovery techniques. Oil / gas companies also use computer models for simulations of the effects of various drilling options.

Because only a small proportion of oil and gas in a reservoir will flow out under natural forces, oil and gas companies develop and use various enhanced recovery methods. These include injecting water, chemicals, gases or steam into an oil reservoir to force out more of the oil, and computer-controlled drilling or fracturing to connect a larger area of a reservoir to a single well.

Because even the best techniques in use today recover only a portion of the oil and gas in a reservoir, oil and gas companies research and develop technology and methods to increase recovery and lower the cost of drilling and production operations.

Oil and Gas Related Industries

• Engineering
• International
• Logistics
• Mining
• Operations

Landis visits HARCATUS office, sees community's need New Philadelphia Times Reporter Some of the women Landis talked to said they were hearing about new oil and gas jobs for men coming into the area, but nothing for women. He responded that the oil and gas boom would have a ripple effect, creating many new jobs in the service industry. and more »

Group says ND is oil development leader Minot Daily News He said one in seven recent college graduates live at home today because they can't find good jobs, but in North Dakota young people are holding oil and gas jobs that pay more than their parents earn. The average oil and gas salary in North Dakota is ... and more »

Recommended: First Thoughts: High stakes msnbc.com But here's the deep, dirty little secret not mentioned by fossil fuel champions who falsely claim the Administration is killing oil and gas jobs: Since Obama took office, oil production has increased substantially — with more drilling rigs being ... and more »

Oiling the wheels The Economist (blog) Moreover, American oil and gas jobs are an area of strength in the economy, having increased by 80% since 2003—accounting for one in five net private-sector jobs created since then. This may not impress those living close to the Gulf of Mexico. and more »