One of the most lucrative and fulfilling career paths in the oil and gas sector is upstream production. A variety of operations, including deep water offshore production, pressure maintenance and waterflood projects, and enhanced oil recovery, are supported technically by engineers in upstream production. Upstream production engineers frequently perform technical work in an office setting where business casual is the preferred dress code. Engineers must occasionally travel to the field to monitor project execution or observe operations (my favorite part!). Three primary job functions can be used to categorize the upstream jobs:
- Reservoir engineers. These petroleum engineers study reservoirs to learn more about their features to determine how much of a resource they can provide. …
- Drilling engineers. …
- Completions engineer. …
- Production engineer. …
- Petrophysical engineer. …
- Aftermarket engineer.
6 types of petroleum engineers
It’s useful to think about which sub-type of engineer you might want to become if you’re interested in working as a petroleum engineer. The following is a list of possible specializations:
1. Reservoir engineers
These petroleum engineers research reservoirs to understand their characteristics and estimate the amount of resource they can offer. Knowing how much oil or natural gas a reservoir can produce can alter a site’s development plans because experts are more likely to drill in an area that can produce a lot of oil. Reservoir engineers frequently work in offices and use software to build simulations and models that forecast oil production.
2. Drilling engineers
Each oil well’s blueprints and drill design are created by this petroleum engineer. They collaborate closely with reservoir engineers to identify the site’s characteristics and choose the most appropriate type of drill. Then, they oversee the creation of that drill. A drilling engineer’s mission is to design a system that extracts natural resources as effectively and safely as possible for everyone involved, including the environment and the workers on site. These professionals work in both an office setting and out in the field.
3. Completions engineer
After drilling engineers design the system, completions engineers manage the overall production of oil wells. These experts carry out procedures to guarantee the well is completed safely. Completion engineers’ main objective is to control the price of oil drilling and cut costs for the business they work for. They also develop procedures to prevent mishaps and spills while keeping an eye on the environment around the well and the safety of the workers there. Depending on the company they work for, completions engineers may work on drilling sites or in an office environment.
4. Production engineer
Production engineers manage drilling sites after the fracking is complete. After the company extracts the oil they desired, these experts inspect the well to make sure it stops drilling and producing oil because this can result in spills. They could also prolong the drill’s life for potential future use. Production engineers want to protect the drill bit without letting a well’s flow out of control. These professionals work both on-site and in their offices. Often, how much time they spend in each environment is determined by the business they work for.
5. Petrophysical engineer
Petrophysicists and formation engineers, also referred to as petrophysical engineers, research the environment around wells to ascertain its effects. These experts focus specifically on the water and rock systems near a well. By doing so, it will be possible to predict how a site will operate and determine whether drilling there is safe and worthwhile. Petrophysical engineers visit the site to gather rock and fluid samples, which they then transport to a lab to study and put through tests.
6. Aftermarket engineer
Petroleum engineers who specialize in working with clients to make sure they are happy with the drill site’s output are known as “aftermarket engineers.” These experts might work in sales and provide the oil supply for sale. Aftermarket engineers may monitor the production schedule to make sure the client receives this shipment within the predetermined timeframe if they have already negotiated a deal with a client before drilling the oil. Most of the work that aftermarket engineers do is done in an office setting, taking calls from clients and responding to emails.
What is petroleum engineering?
Oil and natural gas extraction is the focus of petroleum engineering, a subfield of engineering. To figure out how to extract oil and other natural resources from the Earth, these engineers design machinery, research the environment, and consult with customers. The goal of petroleum engineering is to find the most affordable ways to extract oil and gas while maintaining the safety of the surrounding area and any nearby workers.
Depending on the type of engineering they specialize in, petroleum engineers’ specific job responsibilities vary frequently. The following are some typical tasks that petroleum engineers might perform:
Tips for choosing a speciality
Take into account the following advice when deciding which category of petroleum engineer you might want to enter:
Understand the drilling process
You can learn more about the process and the various stages of oil production by better understanding the drilling process. This can be a great way for you to determine which career is right for you since many types of petroleum engineers depend on the phase of production on which they focus. For instance, you might want to become a drilling engineer if you are interested in the design of drills and pre-production work. Work as a petrophysical or reservoir engineer if you’re interested in learning about the environment.
Take specialized courses
You can enroll in specialized courses during your college program to learn more about the subjects you may focus on as one of these engineer types, even though becoming a petroleum engineer requires a similar education for all of them. For instance, you might enroll in a course on client management and communication to see if you’d like working as an aftermarket engineer. You could also enroll in geology classes to see if you find the study of rocks fascinating enough to consider becoming a petrophysicist.
Consider the work environment
Your choice of petroleum engineer type may be influenced by the type of environment you prefer to work in. This is because their work environments can vary. Production, completions, and drilling engineers may spend more time on the job site than the other types of petroleum engineers, though this ultimately depends on the company for which you work. While petrophysical engineers work primarily in labs, reservoir and aftermarket engineers spend most of their time in offices.
To determine which type is best for you, think about the environment in which you perform at your best. Given that some drilling sites are likely to be outside of your home state, you might think about whether you would be willing to travel for work. However, if you discover that one type of engineer piques your interest the most but you don’t like their work environment, you might be able to negotiate terms with your employer once you’ve made a name for yourself in your field.
Types of Petroleum Engineers
FAQ
Which type of petroleum engineer makes the most?
Petroleum engineers fall into four categories: drilling, completion, production, and reservoir.
What do petroleum engineers specialize in?
According to the U. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a completion engineer’s estimated yearly salary is between $99k and $196k, with an average of $135k. The highest petroleum engineer salary I’ve seen was $206,000 annually, which was for a completion engineer.
