Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Petroleum Engineers

Petroleum Engineers Nature of Work

Petroleum engineers conduct studies for the exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas deposits. They plan, design, develop and supervise drilling projects, drillers, completion, testing and re-working of oil and gas wells. Petroleum engineers are employed by petroleum producing companies, consulting companies, well logging or testing companies and in government, research and educational institutions.

Petroleum Engineers Work Conditions

Petroleum engineers work closely with people from other disciplines such as geologists and geophysicists. Petroleum engineers may work in remote areas.

Petroleum Engineers Personal Requirements

• able to accept responsibility
• able to communicate well, both orally and in writing
• able to identify, analyze and solve problems
• able to work without supervision
• aptitude for computing and design
• enjoy technical and engineering work
• practical and creative
• willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of the operation

Petroleum Engineers Employment Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or in a related engineering
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation and three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering

Petroleum Engineers Duties and Tasks

Petroleum engineers may perform the following tasks:

• study geological and geophysical information to determine what type of drilling equipment and method of drilling would be the most efficient and cost effective, and plan the locations for drilling
• assist in estimating the economic potential of oil and gas reserves by directing the testing of boreholes
• work out the liquids or gases contained, the rate at which they can be recovered and the temperatures and pressures that need to be dealt with
• plan and conduct research and provide advice on engineering operations for the extraction of petroleum or natural gas
• work out the best way to develop oil and gas reserves and to maximize recovery and profit
• determine methods of controlling the flow of oil or gas from wells and keep records of production
• plan ways to transport the oil and gas reserves to the seabed, including the use of downhole pumps and gaslift systems
• study operating equipment, environmental problems and the treatment of oil to remove sediment and water
• conduct operations and activities in accordance with environmental policies and codes
• work safely and use any equipment provided for health and safety purposes
• take note of the necessary safety procedures and facilities for personnel working on the project.

Petroleum Engineer Example Titles

• Drilling Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Reservoir Engineer
• Subsea Engineer

Petroleum Engineer Related Occupations

• Chemical Engineers
• Drillers
• Engineering Managers
• Geological Engineers
• Geophysicists
• Mining Engineers

Oil and Gas Related Industries

• Engineering
• Environmental
• Mining

Firstpost

In oil boom, petroleum engineers hottest commodity in US Firstpost ... have required,” said Al Escher, area director of North and South America for Schlumberger Business Consulting and a petroleum engineer. During the oil bust, companies kept producing to pay the bills, but slashed exploration and petroleum engineers. In oil boom, petroleum engineers the hottest commodityCTV.ca all 28 news articles »

Coy Hardcastle Paducah Sun Mr. Hardcastle, a native of Little Rock, Ark., retired as a petroleum engineer with Lion Oil Company in Eldorado, Ark., with 44 years of service. He was a member of the American Society of Petroleum Engineers and was of the Nazarene faith.

Caza Oil & Gas Provides Operational Update MarketWatch (press release) ... Oil and Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Anthony B. Sam, Vice President Operations of Caza who is a Petroleum Engineer and a member of The Society of Petroleum Engineers. and more »