DESCRIPTION - Petroleum engineers
plan and manage the recovery of oil and gas from petroleum reservoirs.
The profession offers various specialisations with the major areas
including drilling engineering, formation evaluation, production engineering
and reservoir engineering. Other specialisations include drilling and
workover fluid engineering, petrophysics and design. Petroleum engineers
also work closely with people from other disciplines such as geologists
and geophysicists.
DUTIES - A petroleum engineer may perform
the following tasks:
- Study geological and geophysical information to determine what type of drilling
equipment and method of drilling would be the most efficient and cost effective,
and plan the locations for drilling
- Assist in estimating the economic potential of oil and gas reserves by directing
the testing of boreholes
- Identify the liquids or gases contained, the rate
at which they can be recovered, and the temperatures and pressures that need
to be dealt with
- Plan and conduct research and provide advice on engineering
operations for the extraction of petroleum or natural gas
- Work out the best
way to develop oil and gas reserves and to maximise recovery and profit
- Determine
methods of controlling the flow of oil or gas from wells and keep records of
production
- Plan ways to transport the oil and gas reserves to the seabed,
including the use of downhole pumps and gaslift systems
- Study operating equipment,
environmental problems and the treatment of oil to remove sediment and water
- Conduct operations and activities in accordance with environmental policies
and codes
- Work safely and use any equipment provided for health and safety
purposes
- Monitor the necessary safety procedures and facilities for personnel
working on the project.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES -
- Enjoy technical and engineering activities
- Willing to contribute and adhere
to the safety requirements of the operation
- Able to identify, analyse and
solve problems
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Aptitude for
computing and design
- Practical and creative
- Able to work without supervision
- Able to accept responsibility
[x] close 
