SCOPE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Oil is the life blood of progress and development on planet earth. Ever since its maiden discovery, it has been a subject of immense interest. Today, it fuels the 21^st century we live in! Right from the paper we write on and the plastic bottle we drink from, to the cars we drive in and the shimmering cities  we live in, we are surrounded by thousands of derivative products that come to us through the extraction of this magical fluid buried thousands of feet underneath- for Eons!   

Just as Chemical Engineers have been revolutionizing the world with astounding researches and developments, they are playing a herculean role in the industry that fuels the digitized world humans are now living in- the Petroleum Industry! This article attempts to show a glimpse of some of the most influential researches that chemical engineers working for the Oil & Gas Industry are currently involved in and how could these determine the future of the energy industry.

SMART FLUIDS TO AID ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY-

When reservoirs get depleted of the natural pressure that brings oil to the wellbore, they often have to be treated with what is termed as ‘Enhanced Oil Recovery’. This is injecting fluids into the reservoirs to ‘push’ oil out of the rock pores. This technique can recover upto 60% of the remaining oil from the reservoir.

Conventional injection fluids used in EOR techniques, drilling, production and fracturing operations are extremely complex. They also have to be added with additives to meet the changes in the environments commonly associated with a suite of drilling hazards. In tough conditions such as high temperature and acid gas environments, conventional fluids often perform poorly. While trying to improve the efficacy of these fluids in such conditions, Chemical Engineering has touched its limits in the petroleum industry!

Meet Smart fluids— A major advancement in chemical engineering that can revolutionize the energy industry! By sensing the environment & smartly tuning their particles’ properties accordingly, smart fluids can virtually adjust to any environment without the need to add additives! These fluids are capable of changing their chemistry & physical properties, in accordance to the reservoir’s conditions. As an example, such fluids can hydrate & swell in the presence of water, plugging the rock pores & preventing water movement in reservoir (so as to prevent water breakthrough), while dehydrating and contracting in the presence of oil (to allow only oil to flow). Tremendous amount of research is being done on the usage of smart fluids for smart diversion stimulation for better zonal coverage, segregation of oil and water pathways, wettability alteration agents & so on. This technology is progressing swiftly due to relative permeability modifiers & smart emulsified gels.

In the future, chemical and petroleum engineers shall eventually be able to deploy smart fluids deeper into the reservoir to change its properties on a much larger scale. These fluids will be custom-fit & will impart the desired behavior in the reservoir automatically. In other words, they would be bull-headed into the reservoir & left to their own means to work automatically, without requiring any sophisticated techniques.

THE HUNT FOR ANTI-FREEZING CHEMICALS IN THE NORTH SEA OIL FIELDS:

Scandinavian beetles & cold water fishes produce especial kind of proteins to prevent themselves from freezing in the icy cold environments they live in. Tremendous amount of research is being done by chemical engineers and scientists to investigate whether this mechanism can be replicated and used as a hydrate inhibition tool to stop ice formation inside pipelines and wells. Although the imagination does turn riot with the news of beetles potentially coming to aid freezing pipelines, the concept is sound.

Maersk Oil Company has entered into a collaborative 4 year project that aims to boost Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) and prolong North Sea operations by using bio technology to create new solutions & overcome the challenges of mature field production. The company has also announced a US $100 million investment over the next ten years in a new research facility at the Qatar Science & Technology Park in Doha.

OIL TRACERS:

Just as no two humans are the same and each human can be characterized by a specific DNA coding, no two ‘Oils’ are the same and each oil has its own distinguishable ‘biomarker’. These are a group of compounds, primarily hydrocarbons found in oils and they typically retain all or most of the original carbon skeleton of the original natural product. These have been used to catch the culprit oil tanker after any spillage incident into oceans, especially when several oil tankers passed by and none claimed to be responsible. The biomarkers of oil samples from each tanker have to be matched with the biomarkers of the spilled oil. When matched, the culprit is identified just as criminals are identified in DNA forensic sciences. Today, oil bio-markers are being used in determining oil ‘source rocks’ (the original rocks where from the oil migrated) for petroleum exploration, allocating commingled production (that is, in a well with multiple layers producing oil, identifying which layer is producing which type of oil and how much of it) and so on. More progress in this science is subjected to more researches involving Chemistry!   

Chemical engineers are making wonders happen in the oil and gas industry. Are you ready to join the energy industry and play your part?

By Batool Arhamna Haider
Kanza Batool Haider.

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PETROLEUM ENGINEERING AS A CAREER!

Petroleum Engineering as a Career!

Firstly, some facts about petroleum engineers-

• -          They often get to responsible positions faster than engineers working in other industries
• -          They enjoy high financial rewards
• -          Travelling is a part of their career adventure
• -          Before joining in, they can choose the working environment (field/office based/both)
• -          Petroleum engineering is a specialized field. Therefore switching to industries other than Oil & Gas may not be very easy
• -          They are required to be ready to undertake high profile challenges as most projects they work on worth multi-million dollars

How Much Do They Earn?

Let us start off with- how much do they earn? The start is very handsome & salary growth too is pleasant, in most cases. It has been listed among the most highly paid professions by several surveys. Here are a few for your reference-

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORT-

S.No	Designation	Satisfaction Rank (out of 100)	Average Pay ( 5 yrs)	Common Major
1	Aerospace Engineer	100	65,000$	Aerospace Engineering
2	Software Quality Assurance Manager	81.1	86,700$	Computer Science , MIS
3	Program Manager	80.5	94,800$	Computer Science , MIS
4	Software Development Manager	75.3	93,600$	Computer Science , MIS
5	Security Manager	74.2	87,700$	Computer Science , MIS
6	Nuclear Engineer	73.4	70,367$	Nuclear Engineering
7	Intelligence Analyst	73.1	67,500$	Liberal Arts, Business
8	Aviation/ Aerospace Program Manager	71.4	78,700$	Mechanical Engineering
9	Petroleum Engineer	61.9	101,000$	Petroleum Engineering
10	Environmental Project Manager	60	52,300$	Geology
11	Risk Management Manager	59.4	71,100$	Economics, Business
12	Environmental Health & Safety Manager	58.3	63,900$	Chemical Engineering
13	Biotechnology Research Associate	55.7	46,900$	Biology, Biochemistry
14	Software Architect	55.5	92,400$	Computer Science , MIS
15	User Interface Engineer	52	64,100$	Computer Science , MIS
16	Civil Engineer	40.8	60,700$	Civil Engineering
17	Information Technology Consultant	33.8	67,400$	Computer Science, MIS
18	Network Administrator	32.2	60,500$	Computer Science, MIS

FORBES-

“5  COLLEGE DEGREES WITH THE BIGGEST SALARIES”

1.       Petroleum Engineering

2.       Chemical Engineering

3.       Mining & Mineral Engineering (Including Geological)

4.       Computer Engineering

5.       Computer Science

2011 average starting salary: $80,849 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a high employment growth of 18% over the decade ending in 2018 as new resources and new methods of extraction are being developed, while the number of graduates in the field remains limited.

SPE SALARY SYRVEY 2012

http://www.spe.org/career/docs/12SalarySurveyHighlights.pdf

Projected Job Growth-

(Picture from) http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-engineering-careers/Geo_petroleumengineer_c001.shtml#keyfactsinformation

Branches of Petroleum Engineering-

Though petroleum engineering can be sub-divided into several fields, as a starter, let us broadly classify it into:

Drilling-

The job of a drilling engineer is to design and implement a procedure to drill the well as economically as possible. The well will confirm the presence of oil or natural gas in the location selected by geologists and geophysicists. Drilling engineers work closely with the drilling contractor (the operator of the rig and its crews), service contractors and compliance personnel, as well as the other members of their internal team. A drilling engineer must manage the complex drilling operation, people and technology. Drilling a well can often cost several million dollars, and the drilling engineer is responsible for making certain that costs are minimized while getting all the necessary information to evaluate the reservoir, protect health and safety of workers and nearby residents, while also taking care of the environment.

IMPORTANT POINTS-

•           They usually earn the most due to the field allowances/bonuses they receive
•         Nature of Job- Field Base
•         If you like mechanics & technology, you may want to join the drilling department

Reservoir-

Reservoir engineers are responsible for estimating the amount of oil or gas that can be recovered from a reservoir. They determine the fluid and pressure distributions throughout the reservoir, the natural energy sources available, and the methods most useful in recovering maximum amount of oil or gas from the reservoir. A reservoir engineer may develop complex computer-based mathematical programs to model the fluid flow and formation pressures. Making good estimates of recoverable resources is crucial to a company’s financial position since future recovery is a measure often used by bankers and financial analysts to judge a company’s borrowing power and future worth.

IMPORTANT POINTS-

·         These form the brain/decision making body of petroleum endeavors & hence chances of career growth are slightly higher.

·         This is an office based job with occasional field visits.

·         If you like math & geology, you may want to join the reservoir department.

·         A degree in petroleum engineering is preferred in this domain.

Production-

A production engineer works to analyze, interpret and optimize the performance of individual wells drilled for petroleum. He/she is responsible for determining how to bring hydrocarbons to the surface. via most efficient means. They are also responsible for developing a system of surface equipment that will separate oil, gas, and water from the reservoir. As the field matures, the production engineer will be responsible for exploring additional technologies to enhance production from wells that are declining. In doing so, the production engineer will work closely with reservoir engineers and those in other disciplines to determine the optimal approach for that particular well.

IMPORTANT POINTS-

·         These may be office based or field based or may work on rotational basis, depending on the company’s layout & the nature of assignments.

·         Though different companies follow different set of job responsibilities, in many companies production engineers may be responsible for introducing new technologies to enhance production, in collaboration with the reservoir department. In some companies reservoir/production departments are combined.

·         If you like physics & technology, you may want to join the production department.

Scope of Research in the Oil and Gas Industry-

From the application of nano-technology to artificial intelligence, oil & gas industry is known for high tech researches. Visit the following link to gain more idea:

Top 8 Researches and Projects in Petroleum Industry

However, please note that if you like to research & also want to enter the oil & gas industry, you may also want to consider other mother fields like chemical, software & electrical engineering. For example, chemical engineers these days are greatly involved in oil/gas secondary & tertiary recovery related researches & much more. Software engineers can make wonders happen when it comes to the digital oil field concepts. So there is plenty of room for everybody.

To gain a good insight, visit the following link of Saudi Aramco Tech Quest (click on the research domains appearing on the link- http://techquest2011.com/)

Additionally, you may carry on with a research degree in Petroleum Engineering from any of the following top grad schools, arranged by the ranks of their petroleum departments-

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?

1.       Do I need to be on the field site/remote areas, if I choose petroleum engineering as a career?

If you don’t want to be sent to the field very often, you may want to join the reservoir department (See the ‘Branches of Petroleum Engineering’ for more details), or any other department that deals with simulation or consultancy. However, it is worthwhile to note that each day you spent on the field earns you a heavy amount of bonus. The choice is solely yours before you join in.

2.       I am a female. Is Petroleum engineering a good profession for me?

Your success in petroleum engineering like any other engineering fields, solely depends on your aptitude & attitude. It is true that there are not many females in this profession, but that’s what makes female petroleum engineers unique. Female engineers, just like their male colleagues are fully facilitated. You may choose the domain of petroleum engineering that suits you & start off. The work is usually demanding & requiring prudence as most projects worth multi-million dollars. You will be expected to be both intelligent and confident. If you meet these expectations, you will find petroleum engineering a very exciting & enjoyable career.

3.       How much of travelling do Petroleum Engineers do?

A lot! Even if you don’t visit the field very often, you will be required to do a lot of travelling for business & training. You do a lot of learning amidst these trips. You may live and work in many countries. As a petroleum engineer, travel—and the opportunity to become a citizen of the world—can be a part of your career adventure!

4.       Do I need a degree in petroleum engineer to enter the oil & gas industry?

Not really. Though a degree in petroleum engineering will be preferable, especially in the reservoir & production domains, you may join in using other related engineering degrees too. Mechanical engineers have been very successful in the Oil/gas industry, especially as drilling engineers. If you like research, then degrees in chemical, software & electrical engineering may give you an edge. See the ‘Research Section’.  

For more details on other engineering degrees that may lead you to the Oil & Gas industry, visit the link:

http://www.energy4me.org/careerscholarships/engineering-careers/types-of-engineers/

5.       What if an alternative source of energy breaks in or Oil in the world depletes? What will be the scope of petroleum engineers then?

These theories have been greatly fantasized. Oil is far from depletion. Read the article “Exploring New Oil Frontiers”. Oil is lasting! Also, even if an alternative source of energy does break in, the by-products made from petroleum make it simply irreplaceable! We are surrounded by thousands of everyday products that come from this vital natural resource- from plastic to paper!

Although the supply from alternative sources of energy is increasing, the increase is expected to be small. Though estimates of future growth vary, the consensus is that the main role of these alternative energy  sources, at least for the next 2 decades, will be to complementary  or supplementary—rather than a substitute for hydrocarbons. Therefore, most of the increase in world’s energy demand will have to be met with traditional hydrocarbon sources such as oil and gas, which will continue to dominate the energy market.

6.   Is it safe to work in the Oil & Gas industry?

Thought the strict safety precautions do make Oil & Gas industry somewhat safe, the overall risk factor may be higher when compared to many other professions.. Watch a fun video on safety made by the Petroleum Engineers of Weatherford Australia

You may also want to read the article “Oil Spill Disasters”.   

More Details?

http://www.energy4me.org/careerscholarships/engineering-careers/careers-in-petroleum-engineering/

Good Luck!! :)

Written By-

Batool Arhamna Haider

Petroleum Engineer- Production Enhancement Solutions

Artificial Lift Systems

Weatherford Oil Tool Limited

 

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