Petroleum Engineer

Overview

Who is Petroleum Engineer?

Petroleum engineering is a branch of engineering focused on locating and extracting petroleum resources from underground reservoirs and wells. Petroleum engineers are tasked with maintaining affordable access to petroleum resources while being mindful of the environmental impact of the same. They are also developing ways to inject substances into oil reserves such as water, chemicals, gases, or steam. Researching new sources of petroleum resources and computer-aided modelling the best methods of extracting the same is also a part of their job. They are involved in the design and development of the methods employed to extract hydrocarbon deposits such as crude oil or natural gas from below the earth’s surface. They work on locating and assessing such resources and the planning and extraction process management. They are also involved in storing and transporting these resources upon procurement. With the input from geologists and scientists, they work on developing safe, effective drilling methods to minimize/prevent the risks of damage to the environment and the people. Their work also involves ensuring that petroleum products are extracted in compliance with the best industry practices and accessible and affordable for the consumers.

Typical day at work

What does Petroleum Engineer do?

Petroleum engineers are critical to the global economy because they ensure that oil and gas production is safe, efficient, and cost-effective for clients. A petroleum engineer is involved in all phases of exploring, developing, and producing an oil and gas field. Their goal is to drill for hydrocarbons as efficiently as possible while resolving any operational concerns. Petroleum engineers are also in charge of utilizing new drilling instruments and procedures and maximizing the performance of underperforming or older wells. Petroleum engineers are responsible for minimizing the environmental impact of drilling throughout the whole extraction process. To analyze well-logging information and anticipate production potential, they must communicate with geoscientists, production and reservoir engineers, and commercial management. They use mathematical models to build comprehensive development plans for reservoir performance.

The roles and responsibilities of a Petroleum Engineer include:

• Estimate the economic feasibility and production ability of prospective drilling sites by evaluating the geophysical site, ascertain the potential risks associated with extraction procedures in the specific area 
• Strategize and construct the bore holes and oil wells for locating and extracting resources
• Recognize the best methods and equipment to extract the deposits, including the temperature and pressure specifications required to treat it
• Monitor and oversee the assessment of wells, well modification/stimulation programs
• Supervise and review plans to ensure utmost recovery of oil and gas  
• Assessing data to inform the further procedures to improve production and produce suggestions for well placement, and enhance or change the equipment  
• Monitor the rate of production, and to enhance production, plan rework procedures
• Working with collaborators to settle issues in operations, design, testing, and research
• Overseeing and managing the installation of the mining and oil field equipment and its maintenance
• Maintaining documentation regarding the drilling and production operations
• Collecting and analyzing the samples of the resources for evaluating the quality and quantity, and depth at which the resource is located
• Safeguarding recovery process of the equipment after use and overseeing the safe un-installation of the same and waste removal processes
• Ensuring the health and safety procedures are being followed on the sites 

Abilities & aptitude needed

What are the skills, abilities & aptitude needed to become Petroleum Engineer?

A petroleum engineer needs to be knowledgeable about crude oil and natural gas resources and their extraction processes and the potential challenges to the same. Problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities and analytical thinking are essential for this role. They also need to be equipped to understand and apply insights from highly technical material from the scientific literature to do justice to their responsibilities as a petroleum engineer. Since they are tasked with designing and simulating extraction equipment and processes, ease with computer software and programming abilities also becomes necessary. Aspirants must have sharp and skilled when using statistics and mathematical formulas as well. Being methodical, scientific, and having an eye for precision is required and being curious and investigative. Time management skills are necessary to juggle the demands of the job. Apart from this, verbal and written communication shall be required frequently as a part of the job since they often work as a part of a team.

Courses

Which course I can pursue?