National
| Median wages (2008) |
$51.93 hourly, $108,020 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
17,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
5,000 additional employees |
17-2171.00 - Petroleum Engineers
Devise methods to improve oil and gas well production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice to achieve economical and satisfactory progress.
Sample of reported job titles:
Petroleum Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Production Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Completion Engineer, Operations Engineer, Drilling Manager, Operations Manager, Project Production Engineer, Project Reservoir Engineer
Tasks
- Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
- Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Notebook computers — Laptop computers |
| Personal computers |
| Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA |
| Scanners — Computer scanners |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Computer Modelling Group CMG STARS; IHS PETRA; TRC Consultants PHDWin; Well Flow Dynamics Wellflow |
| Charting software — Microsoft Office Visio |
| Data base user interface and query software — Landmark Graphics TOW/cs; Microsoft Access |
| Financial analysis software — DFA Capital Management GEMS; GeoGraphix ARIES Portfolio; IHS QUE$TOR |
| Project management software — Microsoft Project; Primavera Systems software |
