Know What Petroleum Engineering Industry Really is? Career Wise!
Are you someone who is looking to find out more about petroleum engineering? Do you want to know about petrochemical engineering and how it works? If you said yes to both these questions then keep scrolling down because we have just what you have been looking for.
What do petroleum engineers do?
Petroleum engineers play a vital role in maintaining the world economy. They ensure that the extraction of oil and gas is safely done. They make sure that the entire process is done efficiently so that the product is more affordable to the customers.
If we talk about the involvement of the petroleum engineers in the oil and gas fields then it is important to bring to attention that they are actively part of the entire process.
Types of petroleum engineer
Here is a list of categories in which petroleum engineers are divided into:
Petroleum geologists
Petroleum geologists make sure that they find hydrocarbons. They analyse subsurface structures. They do this with the help of geological and geophysical methods.
Reservoir engineers
Reservoir engineers help in the optimisation of the production of oil and gas. The optimisation process is only possible with the help of proper placement, production levels and enhanced oil recovery techniques. The Reservoir engineers use various computer simulations to identify the risks associated with the process. They also use the same method to make forecasts on reservoir potential.
Production engineers
Production engineers are known for managing the interface. They make sure the interface between the reservoir and the well through tasks is done properly. The tasks include perforations, sand control, artificial lift, downhole flow control and monitoring equipment. Production engineers select the surface equipment to separate the fluids that are being produced. These fluids include oil, natural gas and water.
Drilling engineers
Drilling engineers deal with the technical aspects. They look after both the production and injection wells. Drilling engineers work in multidisciplinary teams. Their teams include engineers from different backgrounds, scientists and contractors.
Quality engineer
Quality engineers or QA/QC Engineers make sure that the work gets done in a specified time, following the guidelines given to them by the company. They govern different regulations, prepare and document reports related to the quality of the entire process.
Safety engineers
Safety engineers are there to enforce the safety rules and regulations. They make sure that everything is done following the health and safety requirements.
Responsibilities of an Engineer in Petroleum Industry
The responsibilities of every engineer vary from the other; depending on the role, they have been assigned.
Here is a list of responsibilities that engineers might be asked to perform:
One of the major responsibilities of engineers includes liaising with geoscientists
They also look after the production
Some engineers have to liaison with commercial managers to interpret the good logging results
They also predict the potential of the production
Another important responsibility of engineers is to compile a detailed development plan of the reservoir performance
They do this using different mathematical methods
Engineers are also responsible for selecting an optimal tube size
They look after suitable equipment to make sure different functions are performed properly
They design the complete process which is the main part of the well that helps in communicating with the reservoir fluids
Engineers design different systems to make sure that the well flows properly
Engineers manage problems about the fluid behaviour
They also deal with the problems of the production chemistry
One responsibility is to evaluate and recommend the rate of flow by enhancing the hydraulic fracture
They force fluid into a well for fracturing the rock
They look after the acid treatment so that they can keep a lookout when the rock erodes and can help improve the flow path
Engineers help to manage and control both horizontal and multilateral wells that have branches underneath
They use well and reservoirs with the help of remote sensing technology
They also deal with surveillance data that helps in managing the value of the reservoir
They are responsible for deciding on an appropriate engineering intervention
They understand and then manage how a set of wells interact with each other
They are responsible for dealing with contractor relationships
Engineers look at the health, safety and environmental protocols
They supervise well site operations
They also train and supervise different crew members
They ensure that everyone around them is working as a team
They also ensure that deadlines are met and the clients are satisfied
They liaison with different departments to ensure the progress of the multiple on-going projects
They are responsible for the maintenance of the equipment
Engineers liaison with different clients to keep them in the loop
Petroleum Engineer Salary
The salaries of engineers vary, depending on the nature of their job.
Here is what you can expect to get if you are applying for the position of petroleum engineer:
In this region, if you are only starting, you should be prepared to get something from £25,000 to £35,000
If you have a relevant PhD in the field, you can expect something more
The starting off salary figures are for those who are applying to international oil companies
A similar salary range is for graduates who get into training programs before signing up for a full-time job
If you are applying in a comparatively new company, you should expect something lower in terms of the salary
If you are an experienced petroleum engineer then you should expect something from £55,000 to £95,000
If the demand is higher, an experienced freelance engineer may even earn over £1,000/day
Working hours in Petroleum Industry
If we talk about the work hours in the field of petroleum engineering then they are the typical 8 hours of the day.
It means that if you are thinking of getting into the field, you should keep in mind that your normal workday would start at 9 am and end at 5 pm. However, like any other profession, there might be days when you would be required to put in extra hours.
If you were working for a big company, you would know that they usually have flexible working hours. There is a routine of working in shifts so that no one person is overburdened with work. If you were on an offshore assignment, you would be required to work for 12 hours straight. This could go on for at least two weeks. One plus point is that the petroleum engineers also get a two-week break to make it up for their thought schedule.
What to expect in Petroleum Industry?
Here is what you should expect from your life when working in the petroleum engineering field:
If you are a beginner, you should expect the first three years of your professional career in the rig site
When the engineers gain experience and put in their time and effort, they start working in the office
Once engineers start working in the office, they closely work with geologists on the oil field
The senior geologists are located onshore
With the help of remote sensing technology, engineers should expect to work with high bandwidth that works with global networks and visualisation systems
Once you reach a position where you can make decisions, you must expect to work with fewer people in the field and make more decisions in the office
You can also expect to be self-employed or do freelance work in the future
Through outsourcing, there have been many opportunities that have been created for engineers with more than five years of professional experience
If you want to sign a contract, you should do that by first determining the project status and going through the oil prices
More women are being recruited in this profession with the help of awareness about this field of work
When you start working in the oil field, you will see a mix of different cultures
If you are on an offshore assignment, you will have to start living in a communal system
If you are working in the field, you might have to make do with inhospitable living conditions
You should be mentally and physically prepared for the job
The onshore and offshore routine can get a little overwhelming for some people
You should be ready to compromise on your social life
You would sometimes be required to travel within a day or two
You would not always be present at home with your family
Overseas travel is another feature that is part and parcel of this profession
You should be prepared to change your location on a short notice
Qualifications to Work for Petroleum Industry
Like any other profession, prior qualification is a prerequisite for petroleum engineering as well. If you have applied for a job at a reputable company, your employer would first check for your qualifications in the relevant field.
Here is a list of qualifications that employers look for when hiring engineers at the job:
Aeronautical engineering
Astrophysics
Chemical engineering
Civil engineering
Earth sciences
Mathematics
Mechanical engineering
Petroleum engineering
Skills Required to Grab Jobs in Petroleum Industry
If you aim to work in petroleum engineering or the petrochemical engineering field then you need a skill set.
Here is a list of skills that you should possess if your goal is to become an engineer:
Technical capabilities
Business awareness
Analytical skills
Creative skills
Managerial potential
Self-motivated
Ability to work internationally
Ability to work in offshore environments
Team skills
Self-driven
Enthusiasm
Problem solver
Willingness to tackle challenges
Flexibility
Multitasker
Computer literate
Relevant training
Different certifications
Do I Need any Work Experience Before Applying for a Job?
If you are only starting, you should have a good qualification and a skill set that shows in your work. If you are someone who wants to switch jobs then you should know that there is a lot of competition in the market. Yes, you read that correctly. You can look for different opportunities based on your years of experience and area of expertise.
Employers
If you want to work with prestigious companies then you should be ready to relocate. Most of the oil and gas explorations are based overseas.
If you are good at what you do then the field of petroleum engineering and petrochemical engineering can take you places you had only thought of going to.
Here is a list of settings where you would find the right kind of employment:
You should look up operating companies
You can also look for production companies, mostly the ones that are international oil companies to get a better job
Apply to engineering consultancies
Send your resume to integrated service providers
Apply for a position at a specialist plant construction
Professional Development Institutions
If you are aiming to apply to a multinational corporation, you need to keep in mind certain aspects such as your personal and professional development as an individual.
When applying to a reputable company, make sure you have already taken oil and gas courses as part of your professional development.
Here is a list of the relevant professional engineering institutions you can take up the oil and gas courses from:
The Institute for Oil & Gas Sector (IOGS)
American Petroleum Institute (API)
You can also check the below listed for further training:
OPITO
IOGS
Career Prospects and Skill Development Courses
Considering the current world order, the engineering process will continue to rise. You must keep up the hard work and trust yourself when applying for a job in the petroleum engineering field. Do not lose hope, keep applying!
There are several skill development courses that you should take up to make yourself apart from the crowd in the job market, the following 4 skill development work fields are most popular;
Protective Coating
Thermal Insulation
Passive Fireproofing
Corrosion Control
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