Oil and gas engineers have the duty to perform at each stage of oil and gas production. They have to visit the site where the production work is carried out and have to carefully evaluate the work. They calculate the amount of oil and gas that can be extracted from the wells and monitor the production work till the wells are exhausted.
They can specialize in two areas of oil and gas engineering. This includes reservoir engineering and drilling engineering. A reservoir engineer is the one who calculates approximately how much oil and gas can be extracted from the rock of the reservoir. The job of these engineers is to make use of latest technology to mathematically calculate the shape and size of the reservoir. Once this is done, they have to prepare a plan which will help them to figure out how much oil and gas production is possible from a particular place. As a reservoir engineer, you will have to decide which area or reservoir can help obtain good amount of production and thus help gain maximum profit. Besides the production task, these engineers have to work in coordination with the operational team and carefully supervise the production plan throughout the reservoir's life.
The responsibility of drilling engineers is to get wells of oil and gas drilled and offer their extensive engineering support at all levels of oil and gas production. Their work involves planning and drawing the drilling activity. In order to carry out the production work smoothly, they have to carefully choose and design the right kind of equipment and monitor them for safety. They choose the drilling team, distribute the work amongst all and support them on site. The drilling engineers have to make sure that the environmental standards are effectively met. They need to ensure that the drilling program does not affect the cost and competence.
The personal qualities and skills required for oil and gas engineering includes good planning and management skills, scientific outlook towards the work, self confidence and ready to take initiative, problem solving skills and knowledge of computers. Oil and gas engineers should know how to manage and lead their team and allocate work accordingly. They should be prepared to stay away from home if they have to constantly work on site. A senior engineer should be ready to stay with other workers and junior staff in a quarter. They should be reliable, responsible, fit, and healthy.
To enter the field of oil and gas engineering, you must achieve a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject. The subjects inclusive under the courses, in various disciplines, are computer science, math, physics, chemistry and economics, petroleum engineering, mining engineering, marine, structural and electrical engineering, and geology. Most companies recruit the candidates who have additional postgraduate qualification. An engineering degree in petroleum, oil or gas is very essential to become an oil and gas engineer. You can get a better post in reputed institute if you have good working experience in the related field.
Generally the oil and gas engineer has to work in the office. But this mostly applies to the senior engineers. The junior engineers or new employees have to work on site to gain good experience. Many companies arrange for formal training programs to train the amateurs. Beginners start off by assisting the senior engineers. On-site work is highly demanding and is carried out in all weather conditions. The engineers have to show good performance no matter the weather is hot, cold, or wet. When engineers are working in the office, they have fixed hours of working but on site work is carried out for long hours.
Oil and gas engineers can enjoy the post as per their qualifications and experience. The global prospects of oil and gas engineering are many. Experienced engineers can be promoted to managerial posts. You can even start your own consulting firms.
It is highly subjective and depends on what position you are working in. Senior engineers draw salary as high as $100,000 annually.
