Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineering

As a petroleum engineer, one would have to apply their “technical skills and knowledge” to solve different challenges. They connect an area that lies just below the surface and top to bring oil and gas from a reservoir to the to where they need it to be. Their aim is always to work economically as well as safely. The diverse topics covered by petroleum engineering are closely related to the earth sciences. Petroleum engineering topics include economics, geology, geochemistry, geomechanics, geophysics, oil drilling, geopolitics, knowledge management, seismology, team building, teamwork, tectonics, thermodynamics, well logging, well completion, oil and gas production, reservoir development, and pipelining. A petroleum engineer must acquire knowledge in areas which include petrophysics, drilling and product operations, reservoir engineering, production geology, production technology, field development economics and of course a lot of math with an emphasis on ‘a lot’. Entry requirements include: aeronautical engineering, astrophysics, chemical engineering, civil engineering, earth sciences, and mechanical engineering. Working in this field means you also have to learn to manage material resources and practice contractor relationships to supervising drilling personnel. They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and contractors. Schools that offer such studies and programs include Texas A & M University, Texas Tech University, The University of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, and University of Oklahoma with their ‘Departments of Petroleum Engineering’. Potential candidates must show technical capability, strong business awareness, analytical and creative skills, managerial potential, the ability to motivate staff at all levels, the ability to work internationally and in offshore environments, team working skills, drive and enthusiasm, the ability to solve complex problems, tackle challenges, flexibility