Energy
Petroleum Engineer
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.
Annual openings
63
BLS median wage
$172,190
Typical education
Bachelor's degree
10-year growth
-1%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Bachelor's degree
Credential requirement
A Professional Engineer license is highly valued in the Energy industry.
Work experience
This can be an entry-level role so no experience is required.
Petroleum Engineers can focus on improving the flow of one well or maximizing production on an entire reservoir of oil/gas that consists of many different wells.
Working as an Engineer is a good preparatory role for becoming a Project Manager, after adding skills to be responsible for the full life-cycle of a project that involves many different teams.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Engineering and Science
- Engineering
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.