The primary focus of the engineering discipline known as petroleum engineering is the extraction of crude oil and natural gas. To establish profitability and to ensure that drilling is carried out as safely and effectively as possible, experts in this sector evaluate oil and gas reservoirs.
This blog goes through what petroleum engineering is, what petroleum engineers do, and how to become a professional in this sector.
Petroleum Engineering: What is it?
Oil and natural gas production, exploration, and extraction from reservoirs, wells, and other places where they are naturally present are the main areas of interest in petroleum engineering. As the world's energy requirements changed, this area of engineering expanded from mining engineering.
Through petroleum engineering, society has discovered alternative sources of energy, including heavy oils and tar sands. Petroleum engineering is closely connected to many other engineering fields as well as geology.
What does a petroleum engineer do?
Petroleum engineers focus on studying and assessing gas and oil reservoirs to analyze their profitability. They may examine maps of these reservoirs to determine the best and most efficient ways to access these energy resources and where to place wells. Their primary goal is to ensure the most economical production from a reservoir while also adhering to safety and environmental standards. Many petroleum engineers use computer technology to analyze potential production rates and flow from a well.
Duties that a petroleum engineer may perform include:
- Designing equipment that will be used to extract gas or oil
- Developing plans to extract natural energy sources
- Operating machinery used to drill or recover gas or oil
- Studying reservoir maps to determine the most efficient placement of wells
- Performing technical consultations to resolve problems during the drilling process
- Designing surface collections
- Developing new techniques for recovering natural gases
Branches of petroleum engineering
Several areas of specialization have been recognized within the petroleum engineering field. Many petroleum engineers choose to specialize in one of the following branches of this industry:
Drilling engineering
Drilling engineers are responsible for all aspects of the drilling process in the oil field. They may design and implement the techniques used to drill into the earth as well as select the equipment used and oversee the drilling process. Drilling engineers must coordinate with various companies, governments and communities when planning and implementing a drilling project.
Production and surface facilities engineering
This branch of petroleum engineering is in charge of overseeing production after the completion of a well. These engineers may implement various controls and equipment used to extract crude oil or gas from the well and may also measure and control the fluids produced.
Reservoir engineering
A reservoir engineer is focused on how gas and oil flow through porous rock as well as the distribution process of these energy sources. They may establish well-drainage patterns, estimate the performance of a reservoir and create new methods to increase production.
Petrophysical engineering
This sector of petroleum engineering is concerned with creating tools and techniques used to analyze the characteristics of energy sources. These engineers help all other petroleum engineers better understand the reservoir rock-fluid system.
How to become a petroleum engineer
The following are the steps that aspiring petroleum engineers should take to become eligible to work in this field:
1. Earn a bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement to pursue a career as a petroleum engineer. Many individuals choose to get degrees in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering or mechanical engineering.
These engineering programs provide students with knowledge and experience through specialized classes, labs and field study opportunities. A bachelor's degree in one of these engineering fields will generally take four to five years to complete.
2. Apply for an engineering position
After receiving a bachelor's degree, many individuals are eligible to apply for an entry-level position as a petroleum engineer. Most entry-level engineers in this field will work under the supervision of more advanced petroleum engineers and may be required to complete formal training.
3. Become licensed
Entry-level petroleum engineering positions typically do not require licensure. However, higher levels of independence and leadership roles often require that individuals obtain the Professional Engineering (PE) license.
To be eligible to take the exam for this licensure, many states require you to have completed a degree through an ABET-accredited engineering program, taken and passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and have at least four years of relevant work experience.
Skills needed to become a petroleum engineer
To work as a petroleum engineer, you will need to possess several skills that will assist you in your daily duties. The most common skills that successful petroleum engineers have include:
Teamwork
Petroleum engineers typically work as a team to complete projects. For example, drilling, reservoir, petrophysical and production engineers all work together to find, analyze and extract natural resources from a reservoir.
Many engineers also work with various other people such as government officials and community members when planning a project.
Computer proficiency
Petroleum engineers often use various systems to perform their job functions and must be able to efficiently determine how a system works as well as how various factors will influence its productivity.
Decision-making
As a petroleum engineer, you may need to make important decisions, such as how a certain action will affect a project. You may also need to decide the most efficient way to perform certain tasks as part of the development and extraction processes of this career.
Creativity
Each new site that a petroleum engineer works on will present new challenges and require new ways to extract oil or gas. As a petroleum engineer, you should be able to creatively analyze and develop solutions for addressing challenging drill sites.
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