 Petroleum
engineers search the world for reservoirs containing oil or natural gas.
Once these resources are discovered, petroleum engineers work with
geologists and other specialists to understand the geologic formation
and properties of the rock containing the reservoir, determine the
drilling methods to be used, and monitor drilling and production
operations.
 They design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum
profitable recovery of oil and gas. Petroleum engineers rely heavily on
computer models to simulate reservoir performance using different
recovery techniques. They also use computer models for simulations of
the effects of various drilling options.
Because only a small proportion of oil and gas in a reservoir will flow
out under natural forces, petroleum engineers develop and use various
enhanced recovery methods. These include injecting water, chemicals,
gases, or steam into an oil reservoir to force out more of the oil, and
computer-controlled drilling or fracturing to connect a larger area of a
reservoir to a single well. Because even the best techniques in use
today recover only a portion of the oil and gas in a reservoir,
petroleum engineers research and develop technology and methods to
increase recovery and lower the cost of drilling and production
operations.
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Petroleum Engineering Resources |
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Online |
Downloads |
Overview:
Overview of Petroleum Engineering |
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The Field:
Overview of Petroleum Sources, Refining, and Distribution |
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Preparation:
Admission Requirements, Accredited Programs |
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Day in the Life:
Teams and Coworkers,
Tasks, the Workplace |
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Earnings:
Salary Ranges |
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Employment:
Statistics, Industries, Types of Employers |
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Career Path Forecast:
Predictions |
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Professional Organizations:
Resources, Networking, Support |
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Podcast:
Overview of the field of Civil Engineering |
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Internet Resources:
 American
Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers
Energy
Information Administration
Organization
of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Society
of Petroleum Engineers |
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
and the
Energy Information Administration.
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