5. What education / knowledge do petroleum engineers require?

Future petroleum engineers spend the first 2 years studying mathematics, basic sciences, introductory engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

Petroleum engineering students may also take courses such as Reservoir Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering Systems, and Physical Geology during these years. In the last 2 years, a petroleum engineering program might include courses in Drilling and Production Systems, Geostatistics, Well Performance, Reservoir Fluids, Petroleum Project Evaluation, Engineering Ethics, and Well Completion and Stimulation. They study geology, rock mechanics, reservoir engineering, petrophysics, well test engineering

Petroleum engineering requires a good knowledge of many other related disciplines, such as geophysics, petroleum geology, formation evaluation (well logging), drilling, economics, reservoir simulation, reservoir engineering, well engineering, artificial lift systems, completions and oil and gas facilities engineering.

Internships and on-the-job training provide students with a great opportunity to gain real-world experience while still in school.

6. What skills do they need?

Petroleum engineers have understanding of different aspects of upstream business. Improvements in computer modeling, materials and the application of statistics, probability analysis, and new technologies like horizontal drilling and enhanced oil recovery, have drastically improved the toolbox of the petroleum engineer in recent decades.

Deep-water, arctic and desert conditions are usually contended with. High Temperature and High Pressure (HTHP) environments have become increasingly commonplace in operations and require the petroleum engineer to be savvy in topics as wide ranging as thermo-hydraulics, geomechanics, and intelligent systems.

Teams and Coworkers

Almost all jobs in engineering require some sort of interaction with co-workers. For example, a petroleum engineer might be working on a team with geologists and contractors developing a design for a new drilling operation. Whether they are working in a team situation, or just asking for advice, most engineers have to have the ability to communicate and work with other people. Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail-oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication abilities are important because engineers often interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.

7. What personal qualities are most wanted in petroleum engineering?

• Motivated and self starter

• Team player

• Well-developed communication, negotiation and organizational skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills

• collaboration skills

• fluent in both spoken and written English.

• able to operate flexibly and sensitively in multi-cultural teams and local environments.

• able and keen to travel the World and work in a variety of countries

• eager to develop career

• able to establish positive relationships and influence people in a multi-disciplinary environment

• able to understand customer needs

• Good oral and written presentation skills (in English)

• Flexibility in terms of working onshore and offshore

• Ability to work independently and to be result-oriented

• Proactive in identifying improvement areas and seeking solutions

• Strong analytical skills

• Curious and enthusiastic

• Likes to share knowledge

• Works in a structured and transparent way

• Able and willing to present ideas and opinions in a clear and professional manner

• Outwardly going person with good sense of humour

Companies value courageous, open, hands-on and caring people.

These qualities are essential for building a strong company.