What does a Petroleum Engineer do?

Most Petroleum Engineers specialize in a particular area of petroleum engineering:

• Reservoir Engineers inform clients about how much oil or gas is in an area and monitor the extraction process to ensure operations fully use the available natural resources

• Drilling Engineers create the blueprints for the drilling equipment used for extraction

• Completion Engineers design the equipment and facilities that transport oil or gas above ground

• Production Engineers oversee the continued operation of oil and gas wells, identifying issues and devising systems to overcome them

You can optimize the job description of a Petroleum Engineer to reflect the type of specialist you need, or you may wish to have a general Petroleum Engineer job description for all specialty positions.

Petroleum Engineer skills and qualifications

Successful Petroleum Engineers often possess certain skills and qualifications. Listing the following traits in your Petroleum Engineer job description can encourage quality candidates to apply for your open position:

• Proficiency in utilizing analytical and scientific software, computer-aided design tools, project management applications and other software

• In-depth knowledge of geology, chemistry, physics and best practices in gas and oil extraction and production

• Advanced mathematical and analytical skills to perform calculations and analyze data

• Communication skills to conduct meetings with management and collaborate with other engineers, scientists and technicians

• Leadership skills to supervise, coach and train technicians and engineers-in-training

• Project management skills to develop budgets, delegate tasks, identify risks and establish project timelines

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome issues that arise with the extraction and production process

• Familiarity with federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern oil and gas extraction and production

Petroleum Engineer experience requirements

Generally, a Petroleum Engineer needs at least four years of experience working as a Petroleum Engineer-in-Training before working independently as a licensed Petroleum Engineer.

If your position involves supervising a large team or requires a high level of expertise due to the challenges posed by the extraction site, you may wish to specify more experience is necessary in your Petroleum Engineer job description.

Petroleum Engineer education and training requirements

A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering is typically necessary for working as a Petroleum Engineer. Most states require prospective Petroleum Engineers to earn a Professional Engineer (PE) license from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) before working independently. To take the exam necessary for this license, engineers must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test and spend at least four years working as a Petroleum Engineer-in-Training.

Some employers prefer to hire Petroleum Engineers who hold a Petroleum Engineering Certification. The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) awards this designation to Petroleum Engineers who meet education and experience requirements and pass an examination. You may wish to include this certification as a required or preferred qualification in your petroleum engineering job description.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description of Petroleum Engineer positions isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, explore these related job titles:

• Environmental Engineer

• Geologist

• Mechanical Engineer

• Process Engineer

Petroleum Engineer job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Petroleum Engineer and a Petroleum Geologist?

Petroleum Geologists and Petroleum Engineers may work side-by-side on some projects, but they have different focuses. Petroleum Engineers design the equipment and facilities used to extract and produce oil and gas, while Petroleum Geologists perform the geological site studies that inform engineers’ decisions.

What’s the difference between a Petroleum Engineer and a Petroleum Technician?

A Petroleum Engineer often serves as the supervisor for a team of Petroleum Technicians. These technicians gather data about extraction sites, create blueprints, organize presentations and perform other tasks to assist engineers.

What type of Petroleum Engineer should I hire?

The stage of your project should determine what type of Petroleum Engineer you hire. Each specialty focuses on a different phase of the extraction and production process, so assess your current and future needs to arrive at a decision.