Petroleum engineering is concerned with the production and extraction of raw materials for energy conversion, such as natural gas and oil. Within this discipline, there are various specialties that concentrate on particular stages of the oil production process. Understanding these specialties will help you choose the best career path if you're interested in petroleum engineering. This blog defines petroleum engineering, discusses the subfields that make up this profession, and offers advice on how to pick the specialization that's best for you.
What is petroleum engineering?
Petroleum engineering describes a focus within the engineering field that specializes in oil and natural gas extraction. These engineers design equipment, study the environment and interact with clients to determine how to extract oil and other natural resources from the Earth. Petroleum engineering focuses on find the most cost-efficient methods for mining oil and natural gas while maintaining the safety of the environment and professionals working near the drill site.
The specific job duties a petroleum engineer has often depend on the type of engineering they specialize in. Here are some general job duties that petroleum engineers may complete:
- Assessing oil reservoirs for effectiveness
- Examining reservoir maps
- Analyzing production rates
- Implementing safety protocols
- Developing extraction plans
- Developing post-production plans
- Operating machinery to drill oil
- Performing technical consultations
- Considering new techniques for resource extraction
6 types of petroleum engineers
If you're interested in becoming a petroleum engineer, it's helpful to consider which sub-type of engineer you may want to become. Here is a list of areas in which you can specialize:
1. Reservoir engineers
These petroleum engineers study reservoirs to learn more about their features to determine how much of a resource they can provide. Understanding how much oil or natural gas a reservoir can provide can change the development plans for a site, as professionals are more likely to drill in an area that has the capability of producing a large supply of oil. Reservoir engineers often work in an office setting and use software to create models and simulations to predict oil production.
2. Drilling engineers
This petroleum engineer designs the drill and blueprints for each oil well. They work closely with reservoir engineers to determine the characteristics of the site to design which type of drill may work best. Then, they oversee the creation of that drill. The goal of a drilling engineer is to create a system that extracts natural resources efficiently and as safe as possible for both professionals on site and the environment. These professionals split their time at work between an office setting and the field.
3. Completions engineer
Completions engineers oversee the general production of oil wells after drilling engineers design the system. These professionals implement procedures to ensure the well reaches completion safely. The goal of completions engineers is to manage the costs of oil drilling and reduce spending for the company for which they work. They also monitor the safety of professionals on-site and the environment around the well and create practices to prevent accidents and spills. Completions engineers may work on drilling sites or in an office setting, depending on the company for which they work.
4. Production engineer
Production engineers manage drilling sites after the fracking is complete. These professionals examine the state of the well after the company extracts the oil they wanted to ensure that it stops drilling and producing oil, as this can lead to spills. They may also extend the lifespan of the drill for future production. The goal of production engineers is to ensure that the flow of a well remained contained without damaging the drill. These professionals work both on-site and in their offices. The time they spend in each setting often depends on the company for which they work.
5. Petrophysical engineer
Petrophysical engineers, also known as petrophysicists or formation engineers, study the environment around wells to determine its impact. These professionals specifically study the rock and water systems around a well. Doing this can help predict how a site may function and can identify if it's safe or effective to drill at that site. Petrophysical engineers go to the site to collect rock and fluid samples and then take them to a lab to study their properties and run tests on them.
6. Aftermarket engineer
Aftermarket engineers are a subtype of petroleum engineer who focuses on interacting with clients to ensure they're satisfied with the production of the drill site. These professionals may fill sales roles and offer the oil supply for purchase. If they have already negotiated a deal with a client before they drill the oil, aftermarket engineers may oversee the timeline of the production to ensure the client receives this shipment within the agreed-upon timeframe. Aftermarket engineers complete most of their work within an office setting, answering emails and phone calls to speak with clients.
Tips for choosing a specialty
When deciding which type of petroleum engineer you might want to become, consider these tips:
Understand the drilling process
Gaining a better understanding of the drilling process can help you learn more about the process and the different phases of oil production. Since many types of petroleum engineers depend on the phase of production on which they focus on, this can be a great way for you to decide which career is right for you. For example, if you're interested in the design of drills and pre-production work, you might want to become a drilling engineer. If you're interested in learning about the environment, you might consider working as a petrophysical or reservoir engineer.
Take specialized courses
While becoming each type of petroleum engineer requires a similar education, you can take specialized courses during your college program to learn more about the topics you may focus on as one of these engineer types. For example, you may take a course on communication and client management to determine if you would enjoy becoming an aftermarket engineer. You might also take geology courses to determine if the study of rocks is interesting enough to you to influence you to become a petrophysicist.
Consider the work environment
The environment in which you prefer to work can impact your decision on which type of petroleum engineer to become. This is because their work environments can vary. While it ultimately depends on the company for which you work, production, completions and drilling engineers may spend more time on site than the other types of petroleum engineers. Reservoir and aftermarket engineers spend most of their time in an office setting, while petrophysical engineers spend most of their workday in a lab.
Consider what environment in which you function best to determine which type is right for you. You might consider if you would be willing to travel for your job, as some drilling sites are likely to be out of the state in which you live. Though, if you find that you are most interested in one type of engineer but don't prefer their work environment, you may be able to negotiate terms with your employer once you establish yourself in your profession.
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