Petroleum Engineer

Job Overview

Job Category

Engineers

Sectors

Education

Environment

Office only

Average Salary

$100,000 to $142,000

Career Demand

Growing

About This Career

You act as the detective of the oil and gas world, using all the tools at your disposal to investigate a reservoir or well. Once you have gathered all your evidence, you can crack the code of optimal oil or gas production. Wells are your world. Drilling, completions, testing, re-working. If it has to do with wells, you’ve got a clear goal to maximize production.

Petroleum Engineers are involved in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. They provide specialty expertise in oil and gas drilling and completions, reservoir management and production. Roles vary depending on the operating environment (e.g., land or offshore) and the company. Specialties include:

Drilling and Completion Engineers plan, design and implement drilling and completion programs for all types of oil and gas wells. They ensure safety and economics are taken into account.
Reservoir Engineers conduct simulation studies to determine optimal development plans for oil and gas reservoirs. Their plans may include overall field development, well placement, proper production and injection rates and enhanced oil recovery techniques.
Production Engineers analyze, interpret and optimize the performance of individual oil and gas wells. They design ‘connections’ between the reservoir and the well. They also evaluate artificial lift methods and develop surface equipment systems to separate oil, gas and water.
Exploitation Engineers monitor and evaluate oil and gas reservoir performance and identify, develop and oversee the implementation of techniques to improve oil and gas recovery.

When you start in this occupation activities may include:

Analyzing reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum recovery methods to predict reservoir performance and reserves
Forecasting oil and gas reservoir performance and recommending oil recovery techniques to extend the economic life of wells
Monitoring well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery

As you advance in this occupation, you may take on additional tasks including:

Developing specifications for, monitoring and supervising well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
Forecasting oil and gas reservoir performance and recommending oil recovery techniques to extend the economic life of wells
Overseeing the implementation of improvements via workovers, stimulations and facility upgrade
Specifying and supervising well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
Assigning work to staff to obtain the maximum utilization of personnel

Education

A post-secondary degree in petroleum, chemical or mechanical engineering from an institution accredited by Engineers Canada is typically required.

Certifications

Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements

Licensing

To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings
Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.

You’re analytical, curious and adaptable to change. You might have some evidence that tells you one story, but a new piece of evidence will reveal a different story. And, you’re ok with that. It’s all in a day’s work.