What is petroleum engineering?

"Petroleum engineering is a combination of innovation, exploration and expansion.

This major fuels the world and provides the building blocks for every other
profession to effectively carry out its work." - Nicholas
Staviski, Class of '18

Energy is a key component in our everyday lives. A secure energy future requires a
balance between environmental impact and affordable supply. Petroleum and
geosystems engineers are able to address and solve important issues that will lead
to energy security and thus are in high demand.

Economic and environmentally safe production of petroleum resources requires

creative application of a wide spectrum of knowledge, including, but not limited
to:

Mathematics
Physics
Geology
Chemistry

Petroleum engineering overlaps with many of the engineering disciplines, such as:
mechanical, chemical, and civil.

Graduates of this program will:

Evaluate potential oil and gas reservoirs

Oversee drilling activities
Select and implement recovery schemes
Design surface collection and treatment facilities

Petroleum engineers increasingly use advanced computers, not only in analysis of

exploration data and simulation of reservoir behavior, but also in automation of
oilfield production and drilling operations. Petroleum companies own many of the
worlds supercomputers.

Petroleum engineers have a future full of challenges and opportunities. They must
develop and apply new technology to recover hydrocarbons from oil shale, tar sands,
and offshore oil and gas fields. They must also devise new techniques to recover
oil left in the ground after application of conventional producing techniques.

Since many petroleum companies conduct worldwide operations, petroleum engineers

have the opportunity for assignments all over the world. Petroleum engineers must
solve the variety of technological, political, and economic problems encountered in
these assignments. These exciting challenges combine to offer a petroleum engineer
a most rewarding career.

For more information on the research currently conducted in the department and how
our world-class faculty and students are changing the world, visit the research
center of the department, CPGE.
Steven
Petroleum engineering
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For petroleum refinery engineering, see Process engineering.

Example of a map used by reservoir engineers to determine where to drill a well.

This screenshot is of a structure map generated by contour map software for an 8500
ft deep gas and oil reservoir in the Erath field, Vermilion Parish, Erath,
Louisiana. The left-to-right gap, near the top of the contour map indicates a fault
line. This fault line is between the blue/green contour lines and the
purple/red/yellow contour lines. The thin red circular contour line in the middle
of the map indicates the top of the oil reservoir. Because gas floats above oil,
the thin red contour line marks the gas/oil contact zone

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, formation evaluation (well logging), drilling,
economics, reservoir simulation, reservoir engineering, well engineering,
artificial lift systems, completions and oil and gas facilities engineering.

Recruitment to the industry has historically been from the disciplines of physics,
chemical engineering and mining engineering. Subsequent development training has
usually been done within oil companies.

Contents

1 Overview
2 Types
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

Overview

The profession got its start in 1914 within the American Institute of Mining,
Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME). The first Petroleum Engineering
degree was conferred in 1915 by the University of Pittsburgh.[1] Since then, the
profession has evolved to solve increasingly difficult situations, as much of the
"low hanging fruit" of the world's oil fields have been found and depleted.
Improvements in computer modeling, materials and the application of statistics,
probability analysis, and new technologies like horizontal drilling and enhanced
oil recovery, have drastically improved the toolbox of the petroleum engineer in
recent decades.

Deep-water, arctic and desert conditions are usually contended with. High
Temperature and High Pressure (HTHP) environments have become increasingly
commonplace in operations and require the petroleum engineer to be savvy in topics
as wide-ranging as thermo-hydraulics, geomechanics, and intelligent systems.

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is the largest professional society for
petroleum engineers and publishes much information concerning the industry.
Petroleum engineering education is available at 17 universities in the United
States and many more throughout the world - primarily in oil producing regions -
and some oil companies have considerable in-house petroleum engineering training
classes.

Petroleum engineering has historically been one of the highest paid engineering
disciplines, although there is a tendency for mass layoffs when oil prices decline.
In a June 4, 2007 article, Forbes.com reported that petroleum engineering was the
24th best paying job in the United States.[2] The 2010 National Association of
Colleges and Employers survey showed petroleum engineers as the highest paid 2010
graduates at an average $125,220 annual salary.[3] For individuals with experience,
salaries can go from $170,000 to $260,000 annually. They make an average of
$112,000 a year and about $53.75 per hour.
Types

Petroleum engineers divide themselves into several types:

Reservoir engineers work to optimize production of oil and gas via proper well
placement, production rates, and enhanced oil recovery techniques.
Drilling engineers manage the technical aspects of drilling exploratory,
production and injection wells.
Production engineers, including subsurface engineers, manage the interface
between the reservoir and the well, including perforations, sand control, downhole
flow control, and downhole monitoring equipment; evaluate artificial lift methods;
and also select surface equipment that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural
gas, and water)..
Steven
A petroleum engineer is involved in nearly all of the stages of oil and gas field
evaluation, development and production. Their aim is to maximise hydrocarbon
recovery at minimum cost, while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing
environmental impact.
Types of petroleum engineer

Petroleum engineers are divided into several groups:

Petroleum geologists: who find hydrocarbons by analysing subsurface structures

with geological and geophysical methods.
Reservoir engineers: who work to optimise production of oil and gas via proper
well placement, production levels and enhanced oil recovery techniques. They use
computer simulations to assist in the identification of risks and to make forecasts
on reservoir potential.
Production engineers: who manage the interface between the reservoir and the
well through such tasks as perforations, sand control, artificial lift, downhole
flow control and downhole monitoring equipment. They also select surface equipment
that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural gas and water).
Drilling engineers: who manage the technical aspects of drilling both
production and injection wells. They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside
other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and contractors.

Responsibilities

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;
selecting optimal tubing size and suitable equipment in 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 behaviour and production chemistry;
evaluating and recommending flow rate enhancement by using, for example,
hydraulic fracturing (to force fluid into a well and fracture the rock) and acid
treatment (to erode the rock and improve flow path);
managing and controlling wells with branches at the bottom (horizontal and
multilateral wells);
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.

Salary

Starting salaries for petroleum engineers are in the region of 25,000 to

35,000. Salaries at the higher end of the scale are available to those with a
relevant PhD. These figures relate to international oil company graduate training
programmes; salaries in smaller companies are likely to be lower.
With experience, petroleum engineers can expect to earn 55,000 to 95,000.
When there is the demand, experienced freelance engineers may earn over 1,000 per
day.

Location and assignments influence salary. Additional and generous benefits

packages and overseas allowances may be available. Pay is performance-related and
you may receive bonuses for offshore work.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours are mainly 9am to 5pm but often include some extra hours. Major
companies typically offer flexible working patterns. Offshore assignments require
shift work, usually 12 hours on and 12 hours off continuously for two weeks,
followed by a two to three-week break onshore.
What to expect

It is usual for newly recruited engineers to spend most of the time at the
rigsite for their first two to three years in the job. Once you have gained
experience the work is mainly office-based and involves working closely with
geologists on oilfield developments. Senior engineers are based mainly onshore.
Remote sensing technology, coupled with high bandwidth global networks and
visualisation systems, allow more work to be done with fewer people in the field
and more decisions made in an office, based on measurements sent in real time from
the rig. This development is sometimes known as the 'digital oilfield'.
Self-employment or freelance work is sometimes possible. Outsourcing has
generated opportunities for engineers with at least five years of experience.
Contracts are determined by project status and oil prices.
Only a small proportion of petroleum engineers are women but an increasing
number are being recruited.
The oilfield is a broad mix of cultures and backgrounds. Offshore work involves
communal living, though living and leisure facilities are generally very good.
Elsewhere, field work may sometimes involve living in inhospitable conditions.
 The work can be both physically and mentally demanding. The onshore/offshore
regime can create extra pressures, particularly to family and social life.
Exploration and production working conditions could prove extremely difficult
for certain disabled graduates, but there are equivalent opportunities in shore-
based seismic analysis, geology, process engineering or related areas.
Travel within a working day, overnight absence from home and overseas work or
travel are all regular features of the job with a change of location often required
at short notice.

Qualifications

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.

First degrees in petroleum engineering are offered at some universities but

employers are interested in recruiting from all of the specialisms listed above.
The Heriot-Watt Institute of Petroleum Engineering has a large base of research
activity and offers Masters courses and distance learning.

Entry with an HND or foundation degree only is not usually possible. Most company
recruitment policies specify graduate or postgraduate-level qualifications,
combined with the requisite personal attributes.

Postgraduate study is not always essential, although it may increase your chances.
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.
Skills

You will 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;
teamworking 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.

Work experience

Competition is very keen. Vacation work with an oil or gas operator or service
companies will improve your chances.
Advertisement
Employers

Oil and gas exploration is an international activity and many jobs are based
overseas. In the extraction phase, recruitment and training patterns and job titles
vary from company to company.

For example, some employers do not distinguish at entry level between petroleum,
drilling and support engineering. Instead, they prefer to recruit people with wide
potential and deploy them after training where individual preference and company
need coincide.

The work of a petroleum engineer can take you all over the world, from Africa to
Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Employment is usually in one of the following
settings:

operating or producing companies, especially a large international oil company,

although some are smaller and less well-known;
engineering consultancies;
integrated service providers, providing staff in varied disciplines;
specialist drilling contractors, from multinationals to one-person companies,
who undertake drilling work on an international scale.

A number of new entrants join oil and gas operating companies. However, service
companies are gradually taking on more of the work traditionally done by operators.

Oil companies vary in size from multinationals to small, nationally based groups.
They tend to own or lease exploration permits, decide where to drill, monitor the
drilling and run the production facilities. Owing to the specialised nature of the
business, contractors do much of the actual drilling and construction work.

Recruitment can be sensitive to global political and economic pressures. Wars, or

the rumours of war, can affect prices on the world's market, as much as the effects
of supply and demand, but in a more unpredictable way. Inevitably, the market price
of a commodity influences investment in the exploration and development of new
sources of supply. These factors can have a direct effect on employment, leading to
fluctuating demand at short notice for qualified people.

Look for job vacancies at:

Geological Society Jobs

myOilandGasCareer.com
Oil and Gas People
OilGrads
Rigzone

Recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. See entries in specialist press.

Get more tips on how to find a job, create a successful CV and cover letter, and
prepare for interviews.
Professional development

Large organisations typically recruit candidates annually onto graduate training

programmes. They also have ongoing recruitment programmes aimed at graduates with
more than five years of relevant experience. Trainees in large organisations based
in the UK can expect to work on projects in other countries as part of their
training programme.

Training opportunities vary and are determined by the company's needs and the
individual's career plans. Programmes may last up to three years and usually
include exposure to several different departments, working on a variety of tasks.

Companies usually provide on-the-job training, as well as formal courses to

supplement practical offshore/field experience and develop core skills. Trainees
also normally have access to personal mentoring and a 'buddy' system for work and
career advice.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is supported and allows graduates to

build networks with international colleagues. Study facilities are available
offshore on oil platforms.

There is a strong emphasis on working towards obtaining chartered engineer status

with the relevant professional engineering institutions, such as the:

Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)

Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

For further information on skills, training and workforce development, see:

Energy Institute (EI)

OPITO

Career prospects

Oil output is forecast to continue to rise over the next few years, although it is
affected by economic conditions. There has also been a reduction in the number of
significant new oilfield discoveries and an increased cost of extracting the
remaining oil from established fields, which adds pressures to the industry.

Career development opportunities are promising, as many companies are recruiting an

increasing amount of new graduate engineers with the aim of promoting those who
show the most potential.

Many first appointments are in the field and require people who are physically fit
and geographically mobile. This means not only being prepared to go anywhere in the
world, but also being able to stay in that location for the duration of the
project. If you are unable to relocate, your chances of securing a job or
subsequent promotions will be reduced.

On completion of a training programme, graduates may progress from primarily

technical roles, through the promotion structure, to highly regarded and well-paid
senior technical appointments.

Others opt for commercial roles in areas such as recruitment or marketing, or in

leadership and management.

Senior roles can include asset team leadership, business planning and analysis,
non-operated joint ventures (NOJV), asset management, operations supervising and
environmental, safety, fire, health and project management.