Ever heard about something known as Petroleum engineering or petroleum sciences? In the race of pursuing Masters degrees in computers and related subjects, several interesting and unique courses are ignored. Petroleum engineering is one such field of study. Chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, geology or engineering graduates in process engineering can explore a plethora of masters degree options post their bachelors degree in the vast oil, natural gas and energy industry.
A petroleum engineer is concerned with the exploration and exploitation of the energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas, coal etc. It involves proficiency in mathematics, geology, chemistry and physics. Students participating in this degree would be trained to perform a number of activities which begin with evaluation of the prospective oil or gas reservoir. Further studies include drilling upto a target location with the help of the oil rig; then maintaining production from a well over its lifetime of years by studying reservoir behavior and then abandoning the well.
A perfect analogy for petroleum engineer would be a doctor where in the oil reservoir is the patient. It involves rectifying the diseases just like abnormalities to the reservoir by conducting X-ray, gamma ray, electrical tests known as logs and then implementing suitable treatment to extract oil efficiently and economically.
Petroleum engineers may be required to develop equipment, machines and tools putting their mechanical engineering skills to test. Similarly you must also know the computer software that actually control the machines. Like the movie Armageddon, you may also be required to manually operate a lot of machinery at the drilling site.
Another facet of the job is considering the financial aspects of every project. Someone who understands the industry must also gauge the financial feasibility of an entire process because this industry talks about millions and billions only. Every decision matters thus it requires to be precise.
Petroleum engineers are also required to travel a lot because most of the drilling sites are on the outskirts of a regular lifestyle like going on a rig offshore in Deep Ocean or a desert. It requires a versatile character and an emotionally strong nature to adapt changes.
Despite of the fact that petroleum engineering is a highly paid and an attractive career, most of the people are not even aware of the stream upto the end of their high school. This is because in a country like India where 85% of the total oil demands are being imported or in other words India is an export dependent energy economy, it does not encourage its students for a career in the energy industry. The country doesn’t have enough resources, technical development and more importantly educational institutes as the necessity of the field. But beyond the borders, countries are investing heavily in the industry to make use of their vast natural resource potential- they are also looking for skilled personnel who can manage these establishments.
The other thing that sweeps the student away is job insecurity in the (Oil and Gas) O&G sector due to encouragement of renewable energy resources considering increasing environmental awareness. One thing is to be kept in mind- Whatsoever maybe the development of nuclear, hydro or wind (Any renewable) energy, yet there is still no chance at all to displace oil or gas. Today the world is dependent for oil and gas for about 80% of total energy demand and in 2040 it would be 75%..! Coming 30 years might show some negligible decline but that would not affect a bunch of graduates having expertise over world’s greatest energy source! Connect with peers pursuing their Masters dreams in the field of Petroleum Engineering and start a conversation now.
Did you know petroleum engineering professionals are the highest paid engineers as compared to any other engineering branch?
