Petroleum Engineers
Additional Information
Duties
What do petroleum engineers usually do?
- The creation of machinery for the deep-sea extraction of petroleum from onshore and offshore reservoirs.
- Create a strategy for drilling in oil and gas areas and subsequently recovering the extracted resources.
- Create methods for forcing more oil or gas out of a reservoir by injecting water, chemicals, gases, or steam.
- Install, operate, and maintain oilfield equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Determine the output of wells by conducting surveys, conducting tests, and analyzing the results.
- The reserves for oil and gas are found deep in the geological formations beneath the surface of the earth. In order to access these reservoirs, either on land or at sea from offshore oil rigs, drilling is required.
As soon as oil and gas deposits are found, petroleum engineers collaborate with other experts, including geoscientists, to learn more about the rock formation that contains the reservoir. Drilling methods and equipment are determined, and the drilling plan is put into action.
Petroleum engineers are always looking for ways to increase the amount of oil and gas that can be extracted from a given reservoir. Drilling and production costs might be reduced thanks to this increased recovery.
Types of petroleum engineers include, but are not limited to:
Completions Engineers choose the best approach to finish drilling wells so that oil or gas may be extracted from the earth. To complete a well's construction, they supervise the use of tubing, hydraulic fracturing or pressure-control methods.
A variety of considerations, including cost, are considered by drilling engineers when determining the optimal method for drilling oil or gas wells. In addition, they verify that the drilling procedure is safe and environmentally friendly.
After drilling is complete, wells are taken over by production engineers. They usually keep an eye on the flow of oil and gas from wells. The task of production engineers is to increase the quantity of oil being recovered from wells that aren't producing as much as planned.
Reservoir engineers estimate the amount of oil or gas that can be extracted from subterranean deposits known as reservoirs. They examine the properties of reservoirs to discover the most effective ways to extract oil and gas from them. Additionally, they keep an eye on operations to make sure that the maximum number of resources is being retrieved.
Education
High school students interested in pursuing petroleum engineering may benefit from taking coursework in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus; and science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
A bachelor's degree in engineering is the most common path taken by college students. Bachelor's degree programs in engineering generally last four years and cover a wide range of topics, including engineering concepts, geology, and thermodynamics. In certain schools and universities, students are able to obtain real-world experience while finishing their education through co-ops.
It is possible to earn both a bachelor's degree and an advanced degree in the same 5-year period of study. Master's degree holders may find it easier to land a job. Engineers with a master's degree can also work as professors at various institutions or in research and development, depending on the institution.
ABET-accredited engineering programs may have an advantage over others in the job market, since employers tend to favor people with this credential.
Qualities that are critical to success
Analytical abilities." Petroleum engineers must be able to assemble and make sense of vast volumes of technical information and data in order to guarantee that facilities run safely and effectively.
Creativity. Petroleum engineers must be able to come up with innovative ideas for oil and gas extraction since each new drill site is unique and therefore poses new obstacles.
The ability to interact with others. Engineers in the oil and gas industry must collaborate with others on projects that need complicated gear, equipment, and infrastructure. Communication and cooperation with other engineers and oil and gas personnel is essential for ensuring that projects match client requirements while running smoothly.
Skills in math. In their job, petroleum engineers apply calculus and other complex mathematical principles for analysis, design, and problem-solving.
Ability to work with issues. For petroleum engineers, spotting potential issues with drilling plans is essential to avoid wasting time and money. Engineers in the oil and gas industry must be cautious not to ignore any possible problems, and they must act swiftly when they arise.
Certificates, Permits, and Permit Numbers
Entry-level petroleum engineers are not needed to have a license. Later in one's career, one can earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which gives them greater authority and autonomy. A licensed engineer is referred to as a "professional engineer" (PEs). It is possible for a PE to supervise the work of others, sign off on projects, and deliver services directly to the public. Licensing by the state is often required.
Accreditation by the American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Permission on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test.
A minimum of four years of relevant work experience.
Professional Engineering (PE) test passing score.
After earning a bachelor's degree, one can sit for the first FE test. It is typical to refer to engineers who have passed this test as either engineer interns or engineers in training (EITs) (EIs). The second test for EITs and EIs, called Principles and Practice of Engineering, can be taken after satisfying the work experience criteria (PE).
Engineers are required by law in several places to maintain their licenses by participating in continuing education courses. The licensing state's standards must meet or surpass the state's own requirements before a license from another state may be recognized. Certification is available through the Society of Petroleum Engineers. In order to obtain certification, petroleum engineers must join the Society, take and pass an examination, and satisfy further requirements.
Advancement
Engineers at the entry-level often operate under the guidance of more senior engineers. New engineers may also be given formal training in major corporations. In time, engineers progress to increasingly challenging projects, where they are given greater freedom to create, solve issues and make judgments.
Petroleum engineers may one day be responsible for a team of other engineers and technicians. Engineer supervisors and other managerial jobs are common career paths for these individuals. See the profile on architects and engineers for further information.
In addition to working in the oil and gas industry, petroleum engineers may also move into sales and utilize their engineering experience to aid with product development, installation, and use. See the sales engineer profile for more details.
Pay
A petroleum engineer's annual salary in May 2020 was $137,330. An occupation's median pay is the wage at which half of the workers make more than it and half make less. 10 percent of workers earned under $78,620, while the top 10 percent made over $208,000.
Job Projections
Petroleum engineers' employment is expected to rise by 8% between 2020 and 2030, on par with the overall average for all occupations.