About Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineering is a field that deals in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon energy including natural gas and crude oil. Petroleum engineers analyse and research geological data to determine the most efficient approach to extract these resources from the earth. Degree programs focus on imparting key skills including well testing and logging, artificial lift methods, natural gas transmission and petroleum storage.

　　

Is Petroleum Engineering right for me?

When it comes to Petroleum Engineering analytical minds fare best. Analytical skills allow for the interpretation of technical data — a key skill needed in this profession. Students who enjoyed studying mathematics and chemistry in high school also tend to find themselves at home in this field. If you have the above traits and good interpersonal skills needed to communicate with fellow engineers and relevant stakeholders, you probably have it in you to excel in Petroleum Engineering.

　　Petroleum engineers are in high demand in oil-rich countries and the industry has some of the lowest unemployment rates worldwide.

　　

Petroleum Engineering study options and costs

　　Petroleum engineering is a highly specialised field and a bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification required become a petroleum engineer. Depending on what country/university you apply to, this degree is 3-4 years in duration. Industry placements ranging between 2-6 months is a common requirement for many degree programs across the world. This grooms you to handle on the job situations with tact and initiative. A bachelor’s degree on average costs around CAD 38,000 annually in Canada and AUD 40,000-45,000 per year in Australia.

　　Next you can opt to progress into a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering which is a two-year programme. In addition to the comprehensive coursework, you’ll also be required to submit original research projects. The average annual cost for a master’s in Petroleum Engineering is USD 29,062 in the US.

　　If you have an aptitude for research, you can decide to progress towards a PhD in Petroleum Engineering which is typically 4-5 years in duration. A PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering makes you ideal for teaching roles, research work and executive positions in the energy sector.

　　

Future outlook

Petroleum engineers are a crucial resource in extracting gas and oil in a sustainable, economical and smart manner. The job market for petroleum engineers is rapidly expanding at the rate of 15.1%.

　　It is well known that petroleum engineering is one of the highest paying fields when compared to other engineering fields. The high salary of petroleum engineers is indicative of their demand in the job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics every year 2,100 job openings are expected for petroleum engineers which amounts to 21,000 openings over the decade in the US alone!

　　

Career pathways for Petroleum Engineering graduates

　　

Completion Engineers

　　Completion engineers design the most economical and effective ways to construct subterranean wells. They provide their insight in tubing, pressure-control system and hydraulic fracturing to ensure the well facilitates extraction as much as possible.

　　

Drilling Engineers

　　These specialised petroleum engineers are experts in drilling techniques; they plan, budget and oversee the drilling process of oil and gas wells. Their expertise helps minimise environmental disruption and reduce costs during the drilling process.

　　

Reservoir Engineers

　　Reservoirs engineers determine how much oil or gas is present in underground rock layers and reservoirs. They conduct surveys of the reservoir site and collect data of the rock layers to suggest the best approaches to extract oil or gas from the reserve. They also monitor operations to ensure that all the oil and gas is extracted from the reserve in the most efficient manner.