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-
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-
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:
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:
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?
Good Luck!! :)
Written By-
Batool Arhamna Haider
Petroleum Engineer- Production
Enhancement Solutions
Artificial Lift Systems
Weatherford Oil Tool Limited
Read More »
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