How to become a petroleum engineer
Drill down on methods and processes to extract gas and oil locked within Earth’s natural resources.
Pathways to this career
- Complete a degree in engineering, majoring in petroleum engineering. A degree in mechanical, civil or chemical engineering may also meet employment requirements.
- Gain valuable practical experience and learn from experienced petroleum engineers with an internship or placement opportunity.
- Do you have previous tertiary qualifications in engineering? Maybe you wish to advance an already bustling career? Complete a master’s degree in petroleum engineering.
- Once eligible, it is recommended to join recognised industry bodies such as Engineers Australia to stay up to date with industry news.
What does a petroleum engineer do?
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
Duties and tasks
- Conduct preliminary surveys of petroleum and natural gas deposits to determine the resources present, the feasibility of extracting the reserves, and the design and development of the extraction process.
- Prepare operation and project budget, cost estimates and production schedules.
- Assess the natural, technical, financial and safety risks associated with the phases of projects, construction and operations.
- Coordinate resources, people and equipment to meet efficiency targets, statutes, safety guidelines and environmental conditions.
- Conduct research and provide advice on engineering operations for the exploration, location and extraction of petroleum and natural gas.
Industry bodies
- Engineers Australia
- Association of Professional Engineers Australia
- The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia
- Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
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