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Petroleum Engineers - 17-2171.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Reservoir Engineer
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Drilling Engineer
  • Petroleum Production Engineer
  • Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Operations Engineer
  • Completion Engineer
  • Completions Engineer
  • Drilling Manager

SOC Occupation Groups

17-0000 Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-2000 Engineers
17-2170 Petroleum Engineers
17-2171.00 Petroleum Engineers

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
  • Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
  • Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
  • Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
  • Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.
  • Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
  • Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
  • Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.
  • Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.
  • Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.
  • Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
  • Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
  • Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.
  • Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.
  • Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
  • Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
  • Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
  • Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.
  • Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
  • Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted.
  • Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.
  • Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
  • Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adhere to safety procedures
  • advise clients or customers
  • advise clients regarding engineering problems
  • analyze engineering design problems
  • analyze engineering test data
  • analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
  • analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
  • analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
  • analyze test data
  • assign work to staff or employees
  • calculate engineering specifications
  • collect scientific or technical data
  • communicate technical information
  • compile numerical or statistical data
  • conduct performance testing
  • confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
  • confer with research personnel
  • confer with scientists
  • coordinate development of refining processes
  • coordinate engineering project activities
  • create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
  • delegate authority for engineering activities
  • design construction projects
  • design control systems
  • design electro-mechanical equipment
  • design electronic equipment
  • design engineered systems
  • design machines
  • design mining or petroleum equipment and other extraction systems
  • design tools or mechanical devices
  • design transporting processes
  • design waste recovery methods
  • develop mathematical simulation models
  • develop or maintain databases
  • develop plans for programs or projects
  • develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
  • develop tables depicting data
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
  • direct personnel in support of engineering activities
  • draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
  • estimate time needed for project
  • evaluate costs of engineering projects
  • evaluate engineering data
  • evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
  • evaluate tool designs
  • examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
  • explain complex mathematical information
  • explore for oil or gas
  • follow safe waste disposal procedures
  • improve test devices or techniques in manufacturing, industrial or engineering setting
  • inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
  • inspect project operations, or site to determine specification compliance
  • lead teams in engineering projects
  • perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
  • perform statistical analysis in physical science or geological research
  • plan construction of structures or facilities
  • plan oil or ore extraction
  • plan production processes
  • plan scientific research or investigative studies
  • plan testing of engineering methods
  • prepare reports
  • prepare safety reports
  • prepare technical reports or related documentation
  • provide analytical assessment of engineering data
  • read blueprints
  • read schematics
  • read technical drawings
  • resolve engineering or science problems
  • supervise petroleum workers
  • test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
  • understand engineering data or reports
  • understand properties of gases or liquids
  • use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
  • use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
  • use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
  • use government regulations
  • use hazardous materials information
  • use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
  • use knowledge of investigation techniques
  • use library or online Internet research techniques
  • use long or short term production planning techniques
  • use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
  • use physical science research techniques
  • use pollution control techniques
  • use project management techniques
  • use quantitative research methods
  • use relational database software
  • use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
  • use scientific research methodology
  • use spreadsheet software
  • use technical regulations for engineering problems
  • use underwater engineering techniques
  • use word processing or desktop publishing software
  • work as a team member
  • write business project or bid proposals

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Fuels and Lubricants Technical Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Petroleum Production Engineering Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Chief Engineer
  • Chief Engineer, Research
  • Design Engineer, Mining-and-Oil-Field Equipment
  • District Supervisor, Mud-Analysis Well Logging
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Research Engineer, Mining-and-Oil-Well Equipment
  • Test Engineer, Mining-and-Oil-Field Equipment