Occupation · SOC 17-2171
Petroleum Engineers
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
29 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningMonitoringActive LearningTime ManagementSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationScienceMathematicsService OrientationPersuasionLearning StrategiesInstructingOperations MonitoringNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisOperation and ControlProgrammingEquipment SelectionInstallationEquipment MaintenanceRepairing
Knowledge areas
Engineering and TechnologyMathematicsPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistryAdministration and ManagementEconomics and AccountingAdministrativeEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentDesignMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServicePublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingGeographySales and MarketingCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationProduction and ProcessingTelecommunicationsBiologyForeign LanguageBuilding and ConstructionPsychologySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADC#C++Computer Modelling Group CMG STARSDFA Capital Management GEMSDassault Systemes CATIAEclipse IDEEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareFinite element analysis FEA softwareGeoGraphix ARIES PortfolioGoogle AnalyticsIBM NotesIHS PetraIHS QUE$TORLandmark Graphics TOW/csLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual StudioMicrosoft WordNeotec WELLFLOOracle DatabaseOracle JavaOracle Primavera SystemsPythonRSAP softwareSASSchlumberger ECLIPSESchlumberger PVTiSchlumberger Petrel E&PSoftware development toolsStructure query language SQLTERRASCIENCES TerraStationTIBCO Spotfire
Representative tasks
Analyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsWorking with ComputersGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoaching and Developing OthersTraining and Teaching OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Well records and drilling logs — compile and maintain under direct supervision in a field or office environment.Production rate data — gather and organize using spreadsheet software to support engineering team reviews.Engineering reports and technical documents — read and summarize key findings under guidance from senior petroleum engineers.Basic reservoir and formation concepts — apply foundational physics and chemistry knowledge when interpreting well data with supervisor oversight.CAD and analytical software tools — operate under direction to assist in drafting well plans and visualizing subsurface data.Well testing procedures and safety protocols — follow established checklists during field site visits alongside experienced engineers.Operating problems encountered by field personnel — assist in documenting symptoms and relaying technical information to senior staff.Economic cost data for drilling operations — input and verify figures in financial analysis software under structured guidance.Technical observations and findings — communicate verbally and in writing to immediate supervisors using standard reporting formats.Engineering and geology team meetings — participate as an active listener, noting action items and contributing basic analytical support.
developing
Well stimulation and modification programs — support specification and coordination activities with reduced oversight on active production sites.Production rate trends — monitor routinely using analytical software and flag anomalies to recommend rework process adjustments.Drilling and production operation records — maintain accurately and ensure compliance with regulatory and company documentation standards.Subsurface data sets — analyze using established reservoir engineering methods to assist in well placement recommendations.Well completion and evaluation workflows — execute and track progress, escalating non-routine issues to senior engineers as needed.Oil and gas field development plans — contribute technical sections covering drilling sequences and recovery processes under senior review.Well economic assessments — prepare cost estimates and production capability projections using financial analysis and ERP software.Field operating problems — diagnose familiar technical issues and propose solutions by applying systems analysis skills independently.Technical findings and engineering recommendations — present clearly in written reports and oral briefings to multidisciplinary project teams.Time and task priorities across multiple well projects — manage effectively, coordinating with operations and geology personnel on a day-to-day basis.
proficient
Well modification and stimulation programs — specify, supervise, and optimize autonomously to maximize oil and gas recovery across varied reservoir conditions.Production performance data — analyze using advanced analytical software to plan and execute rework processes that measurably improve field output.Complex drilling and production records — oversee and audit for accuracy, ensuring data integrity across multi-well programs and regulatory submissions.Reservoir and seismic data — interpret independently to recommend optimal well placement and supplementary enhanced recovery processes.Well completion, testing, and survey programs — direct and evaluate end-to-end, resolving non-routine technical challenges encountered in the field.Full-cycle oil and gas field development plans — develop covering drilling design, product recovery, and surface treatment for new or redeveloped assets.Economic viability assessments of potential drilling sites — conduct by integrating production forecasting, cost modeling, and risk analysis tools.Cross-functional operating problems — resolve by applying complex problem-solving and systems evaluation skills in collaboration with engineering, geology, and operations teams.Technical knowledge and industry best practices — apply active learning to continuously incorporate emerging technologies, including advanced CAD and simulation software.Regulatory, legal, and environmental constraints — navigate confidently when designing well programs and preparing documentation for governmental and corporate approval.
advanced
Field-wide drilling and development strategies — set organizational direction by integrating reservoir performance data, economic models, and long-range corporate objectives.Well stimulation and enhanced recovery innovation programs — lead by evaluating cutting-edge technologies and championing adoption across business units.Engineering talent pipeline — develop by mentoring junior and mid-level petroleum engineers, establishing competency standards and structured learning pathways.Cross-disciplinary technical teams — coordinate at the organizational level to align geology, drilling, production, and financial functions toward shared field development goals.Major capital investment decisions for drilling portfolios — inform by providing authoritative economic viability assessments and risk-adjusted production forecasts.Enterprise resource planning and data governance systems — oversee implementation and utilization to ensure consistent, high-quality production and operations data across the organization.Organizational problem-solving culture — model and instill by applying systems evaluation and critical thinking frameworks to resolve high-stakes operational and strategic challenges.Regulatory, government, and industry relationships — represent the organization in technical forums, advocating for standards and policy positions aligned with safe and efficient operations.Knowledge management and best-practice documentation — lead enterprise-wide initiatives to capture lessons learned from well programs and disseminate them across engineering teams.Long-term field economic performance — own accountability for, driving continuous improvement in production capabilities, cost efficiency, and asset value through senior leadership decisions.
Also known as
35 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certification EngineerCompletion EngineerCompletions EngineerDesign EngineerDrilling EngineerEngineerExploration EngineerGas Distribution EngineerGas EngineerGas Turbine EngineerLogging EngineerMining and Oil Field Equipment Design EngineerMining and Oil Field Equipment Test EngineerMining and Oil Well Equipment Research EngineerMud EngineerNatural Gas AnalystNatural Gas EngineerOil and Gas EngineerOil Drilling EngineerOil Exploration EngineerOil Well EngineerOperations EngineerPetroleum EngineerPetroleum Production EngineerPetroleum Supply SpecialistPipeline EngineerProject Production EngineerProject Reservoir EngineerProspecting ObserverResearch EngineerReservoir EngineerReservoir Engineering ConsultantSupplier Quality Engineer (SQE)Test EngineerWell Surveying Engineer