Overview of Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is a specialist field that deals with the exploration, extraction and production of oil and natural gas from subterranean reservoirs. It is a multi-disciplined field involving the application of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and economics to develop processes for drilling, completion, production and managing oil fields. Petroleum engineers are assets to the oil and gas industry, tasked with finding the best solutions to capitalize on available energy resources while providing economic and environmental solutions.

Career Opportunities Associated with Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering offers several career opportunities. Petroleum engineers often work in the oil and gas industry, as well as related fields, such as chemical and petrochemical engineering. Petroleum engineers can work in the production, drilling, abandonment, and other stages of the development process, providing technical and operational support. They also provide technical consultation to other departments within the energy industry. Employment opportunities can be found in various sectors, such as upstream, midstream, and downstream services. Petroleum engineers may also work in energy technology, research and development, and oil and gas operations.

Internship and Co-Op Opportunities Related to Petroleum Engineering

Many universities and colleges offer internships and co-op programs for students interested in petroleum engineering. These programs allow students to gain hands-on experience and knowledge in the field and possibly even secure a job in the industry. Internships and co-ops may include working on well designs, drilling plans, and cost-estimates for operations; monitoring and controlling production rates; and developing production optimization strategies.

Specialized Tracks and Concentrations within Petroleum Engineering

Most universities and colleges have specialized tracks and concentrations within their petroleum engineering and energy fields. These tracks specialize in topics such as reservoir engineering, drilling engineering, production engineering, geomechanics and well completion engineering. These specialized tracks can provide students with specific skills, such as understanding petroleum reservoir engineering processes, reservoir development strategies, and reservoir simulation.

How Petroleum Engineering Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

A degree in petroleum engineering provides students with the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to explore the complexities of the oil and gas industry. Program curriculum includes courses in mathematical modelling, reservoir engineering, production engineering, geoscience and petrophysics. Through instruction in these and other areas, students develop a deep understanding of petroleum systems and a knowledge of current technologies and practices used for oil and gas extraction worldwide. Petroleum engineering students may also pursue additional educational opportunities, such as a Master’s program, to further increase their knowledge and develop their expertise.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Petroleum Engineering

Artificial intelligence (AI) is having an impact on many aspects of the petroleum engineering field. For example, AI can be used to improve the exploration for and the extraction of oil and gas, minimize production cost, optimize well design, and automate decisions about production rate. AI-based data analysis can also improve production control, identify potential areas of risk, and maximize production from existing wells. AU can also be used to streamline workflows and processes, simplify data management, and lower costs.

The Career Outlook for Petroleum Engineering

The career outlook for petroleum engineering is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of petroleum engineers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2026. Petroleum engineers’ wages are also competitive in comparison to many engineering specialties. With the increasing demand for energy resources and the continued development of more efficient technologies for drilling and production, the career outlook for petroleum engineers is positive.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Petroleum Engineering:

Montana Technological University, Salary: $94,544

Colorado School of Mines, Salary: $94,022

Texas Tech University, Salary: $89,229

The University of Texas Permian Basin, Salary: $88,833

The University of Texas at Austin, Salary: $87,293

University of Tulsa, Salary: $85,730

Texas A & M University-College Station, Salary: $84,377

University of North Dakota, Salary: $84,111

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College, Salary: $80,718

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, Salary: $80,718

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering.