How to become a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers plan and manage the recovery of oil and gas from petroleum reservoirs. The petroleum engineering profession offers a number of specialisations, with the major areas including drilling engineering, formation evaluation, production engineering and reservoir engineering.

Personal requirements for a Petroleum Engineer

Enjoy technical and engineering activities
Willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of an operation
Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
Good oral and written communication skills
Aptitude for computing and design
Practical and creative
Able to work without supervision
Able to accept responsibility

Education & Training for a Petroleum Engineer

To become a petroleum engineer you usually have to study engineering at university with a major in petroleum engineering. You may also consider related specialisations such as chemical, civil, mechanical or mining engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

Graduates may be eligible for membership of Engineers Australia. Visit their website for more details. Registration or licensing may be required. Contact the Society of Petroleum Engineers for further information.

Duties & Tasks of a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers:

Study geological and geophysical information to determine what type of drilling equipment and method of drilling would be the most efficient and cost effective, as well as plan the locations for drilling
Assist in estimating the economic potential of oil and gas reserves by directing the testing of boreholes
Identify the liquids or gases contained, the rate at which they can be recovered and the temperatures and pressures that need to be dealt with
Determine the best way to develop oil and gas reserves and to maximise recovery and profit
Determine methods of controlling the flow of oil or gas from wells and keep records of production
Plan ways to transport the oil and gas reserves from the seabed, including the use of downhole pumps and gaslift systems
Study operating equipment, environmental problems and the treatment of oil to remove sediment and water
Conduct operations and activities in accordance with environmental policies and codes
Work safely and use any equipment provided for health and safety purposes
Monitor the necessary safety procedures and facilities for personnel working on the project.

Tasks

Determines location for drilling.
Conducts research and provides advice on engineering operations for the exploration, location and extraction of petroleum and natural gas.
Prepares operation and project cost estimates and production schedules, and reports the progress, production and costs compared to budget.
Devises methods of controlling the flow of oil and gas from wells.
Assesses the natural, technical, financial and safety risks associated with the phases of the project development, construction and operations.
Conducts preliminary surveys of petroleum and natural gas deposits with prospectors, geologists, geophysicists, other scientists and engineers to determine the resources present, the feasibility of extracting the reserves, and the design and development of the extraction process.
Co-ordinates the utilisation of labour and equipment consistent with efficiency targets, statutes, safety guidelines and environmental conditions.
Decides on types of derrick and equipment including seabed platforms.

Working conditions for a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers work closely with people from other disciplines such as geologists and geophysicists.They may work in remote areas.

Employment Opportunities for a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers are employed by oil and gas production companies and oil industry service contractors. Employment opportunities for petroleum engineers exist with major oil and exploration companies, contracting firms and government. Petroleum engineers may work on site in oil fields, production centres and in the head office of companies that are based in metropolitan areas. They may also work as consultants to the industry. Petroleum engineers may rise to managerial positions in the oil and gas industry.

Specializations

Petroleum Engineer

Average age
39
Future Growth
N/A
Gender Share
18% female
Average full-time
45 hours
Weekly Pay
N/A
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
90%
Employment Size
2,400
Employment by state
ACT: 0.0%
NSW: 5.2%
NT: 1.9%
QLD: 20.9%
SA: 7.1%
TAS: 0.1%
VIC: 8.7%
WA: 56.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 0%
20-24: 4%
25-34: 39.8%
35-44: 31.2%
45-54: 15.4%
55-59: 4.7%
60-64: 2.9%
65 and Over: 2%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 4.4%
Bachelor degree: 59.7%
Certificate III/IV: 4.2%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 27.4%
Year 10 and below: 0.7%
Year 11: 0.2%
Year 12: 3.4%