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Petroleum Engineers

Careers / Petroleum Engineers

Summary Description


	Devise methods to improve oil and gas well production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice to achieve economical and satisfactory progress.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Automation Engineer

2.	Chief Engineer

3.	Chief Engineer, Research

4.	Completion Engineer

5.	Design Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment

6.	District Supervisor, Mud Analysis Well Logging

7.	Drilling Engineer

8.	Drilling Manager

9.	Engineer

10.	Engineer, Design

11.	Engineer, Drilling

12.	Engineer, Exploration

13.	Engineer, Logging

14.	Engineer, Mud

15.	Engineer, Natural Gas

16.	Engineer, Oil Exploration

17.	Engineer, Oil Well

18.	Engineer, Test

19.	Engineer, Well Surveying

20.	Facilities Engineer

21.	Mud Analysis, Well Logging Captain

22.	Operations Engineer

23.	Operations Manager

24.	Petroleum Engineer

25.	Petroleum Supply Specialist

26.	Process Engineer

27.	Production Engineer

28.	Project Drilling Engineer

29.	Project Production Engineer

30.	Project Reservoir Engineer

31.	Prospecting Observer

32.	Research Engineer, Mining and Oil Well Equipment

33.	Reservoir Engineer

34.	Superintendent, Oil Well Services

35.	Supervisor, Mud Analysis

36.	Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)

37.	Test Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment

38.	Validation Engineer

39.	Validation Specialist

40.	Well Logging Captain

Job Tasks

	Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.

	Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.

	Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.

	Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.

	Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.

	Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.

	Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.

	Maintain records of drilling and production operations.

	Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.

	Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.

	Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.

	Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.

	Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.

	Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted.

	Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.

	Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.

	Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.

	Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.

	Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.

	Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.

	Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.

	Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.

	Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


		use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses

		resolve engineering or science problems

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze engineering design problems

		analyze scientific research data or investigative findings

		evaluate costs of engineering projects

		evaluate engineering data

		evaluate manufacturing or processing systems

		evaluate tool designs

		provide analytical assessment of engineering data

		perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research

		analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications

		analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time

		analyze test data

		analyze engineering test data

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		collect scientific or technical data

		read blueprints

		read schematics

		read technical drawings

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		compile numerical or statistical data

		develop tables depicting data

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.


		confer with research personnel

		confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.


		estimate time needed for project

		explore for oil or gas

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand engineering data or reports

		understand properties of gases or liquids

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.


		plan production processes

		plan oil or ore extraction

		plan testing of engineering methods

		plan construction of structures or facilities

		plan scientific research or investigative studies

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.


		adhere to safety procedures

		perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting

		inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance

		examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques

		use government regulations

		use hazardous materials information

		use pollution control techniques

		use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce

		use scientific research methodology

		follow safe waste disposal procedures

		use technical regulations for engineering problems

		use knowledge of investigation techniques

		use long or short term production planning techniques

		use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems

		use physical science research techniques

		use project management techniques

		use quantitative research methods

		use underwater engineering techniques

		use library or online Internet research techniques

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks

		use computers to enter, access or retrieve data

		use relational database software

		use spreadsheet software

		use word processing or desktop publishing software

		develop or maintain databases

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain complex mathematical information

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate technical information

		confer with scientists

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.


		write business project or bid proposals

		develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards

		develop plans for programs or projects

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		coordinate development of refining processes

		direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies

		coordinate engineering project activities

		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.


		design construction projects

		design control systems

		design mining or petroleum equipment and other extraction systems

		design tools or mechanical devices

		design engineered systems

		design electronic equipment

		design machines

		design transporting processes

		design waste recovery methods

		improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting

		create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts

		develop mathematical simulation models

		design electro-mechanical equipment

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.


		work as a team member

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		advise clients or customers

		advise clients regarding engineering problems

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		prepare reports

		prepare safety reports

		prepare technical reports or related documentation

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.


		conduct performance testing

		inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.


		lead teams in engineering projects

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.


		draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale

		calculate engineering specifications

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		direct personnel in support of engineering activities

		delegate authority for engineering activities

		supervise petroleum workers

		assign work to staff or employees

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Engineers
	Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between perceived social needs and commercial applications. Engineers consider many factors when developing a new product. For example, in developing an industrial robot, engineers precisely specify the functional requirements; design and test the robot's components; integrate the components to produce the final design; and evaluate the design's overall effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of many different products, such as chemicals, computers, gas turbines, helicopters, and toys.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Engineers
	Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites.

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Interesting Fact

Before his successful acting career, Tom Hanks once worked as a bellhop.

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