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Petroleum Engineers
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Other titles employers use
Completion Engineer · Drilling Engineer · Engineer · Operations Engineer · Petroleum Engineer · Petroleum Production Engineer · Project Production Engineer · Project Reservoir Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
- Chemistry
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.1 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 72%
- A doctorate or professional degree 15%
- High school or less 8%
- A master's degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Electronic mail software
- Project management software
- Operating system software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 13,320
- Job openings each year
- 890
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 19.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 13,320 | 890 | 19.5% |
| Oklahoma | 1,600 | 100 | 10.3% |
| California | 1,500 | 80 | −6.3% |
| Colorado | 1,040 | 70 | 13.0% |
| Louisiana | 890 | 50 | 4.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 630 | 40 | 1.6% |
| Alaska | 490 | 30 | 25.6% |
| West Virginia | 410 | 30 | 17.1% |
| New Mexico | 400 | 30 | 14.3% |
| Montana | 260 | 20 | 13.0% |
| North Dakota | 260 | 20 | 18.2% |
| Ohio | 220 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 220 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Mississippi | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Utah | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Kansas | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Arkansas | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Arizona | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Illinois | 110 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Minnesota | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Washington | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Indiana | 60 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 50 | 0 | — |
| Alabama | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 320
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college CACalifornia State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 304
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college VAVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Degrees each year
- 242
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 237
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 209
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college ILUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Program entryDirect to major
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college NJNew Jersey Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 177
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college