Petroleum Engineering

Engineers are involved in all stages of oil and gas production. They evaluate sites that contain oil and gas, calculate the amounts that can be recovered, and specify and supervise operations until the well is exhausted. There are two main types of engineer:

 • Reservoir engineers estimate how much oil and gas could be taken from a reservoir's rock, using mathematical and computer models to simulate the size and shape of the reservoir. They draw up plans that will allow as much oil and gas as possible to be extracted, and decide on the best locations for production wells to maximise profit. They monitor and amend their production schemes during the life of the reservoir, working closely with operational staff. In fact, reservoir engineers are involved at just about every stage of oil field evaluation, development and production.

• Drilling engineers are responsible for the drilling of wells. They provide engineering support for all stages of oil and gas extraction, including planning and drawing up the drilling programme, designing and selecting equipment, formulating requirements for drilling mud (the fluid mixture that removes the displaced bits of rock), drill bits and cement, co-ordinating the work of the drilling team, providing on-site support, monitoring safety, ensuring that environmental standards are met, and analysing drilling performance and factors affecting cost and efficiency.

Oil and gas engineers work with geologists and geophysicists who locate new field reserves of oil and gas and assess the prospects for producing oil or gas in new or existing fields. Some geologists also work as mud loggers, looking for hydrocarbons in the rock. Engineers also liaise with specialist contractors. Onshore engineers work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. When engineers have to work offshore, the working pattern is normally 12 hours on and 12 hours off for two weeks, followed by two or three weeks' leave ashore.Working in an offshore environment is demanding; for example, travel to and from the platform by helicopter is sometimes disrupted by the weather. Engineers need to wear protective clothing when working offshore.When offshore, engineers share their living quarters with colleagues (usually around 50 to 100 other men and women, depending on the location) and there are usually two people to each cabin.

SCOPE:

The oil and gas extraction industry employs around 2200,000 people offshore/onshore installations around the world. As technology advances, oil and gas can be extracted more economically and the lifetime of the oil and gas fields extended. This means that, at today's estimates, the industry will need engineers for decades to come. There is high demand for new entrants to the industry at the moment, particularly in major oil companies. The jobs for engineers are mainly available off the coasts/deserts. They also work in oil companies' headquarters in all parts of the world primarily in GCC,developed countries like US,UK and of late in developing nations in West Africa.

There are numerous employers in the world oil and gas industry. These include:

 • operating companies (usually major oil companies) which operate production platforms

• drilling companies contracted to do the drilling work

• service companies - eg seismic exploration firms, well service firms, drilling mud suppliers, cementing companies and well-testing specialists

• engineering consultancies.

STUDY/TRAIN IN: Relevant degree subjects include petroleum engineering, offshore engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mineral/mining engineering, physics, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, mathematics, computer science, marine engineering, structural engineering and chemical or process engineering.

 • The minimum entry requirements for suitable degree courses are usually three A levels/four H grades, including maths and chemistry, and three other subjects at GCSE/S grade (A-C/1-3) or equivalent. Alternative qualifications include diploma in any of the fields mentioned above.

• At many universities, students without the necessary background in science and maths can qualify for engineering degree courses by taking a one-year foundation course. A number of universities throughout the world offer postgraduate qualifications in subjects such as petroleum engineering, oil and gas engineering, petroleum geology, drilling and well engineering, and offshore engineering. Courses usually last one year full time. Some courses are also available part time. Training is mainly on the job, along with practical offshore experience and in-house and external courses. All engineers do an offshore survival course before going offshore.Engineers should aim for incorporated or chartered status.