Petroleum
engineers design methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below
the earth. Once these resources have been discovered, petroleum
engineers work with geologists and other specialists to understand the
geologic formation and properties of the rock containing the reservoir,
to determine the drilling methods to be used, and to monitor drilling
and production operations.They
design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum profitable
recovery of oil and gas.
Because
only a small proportion of oil and gas in a reservoir flows out under
natural forces, petroleum engineers develop and use various enhanced
recovery methods, including injecting water, chemicals, gases, or steam
into an oil reservoir to force out more of the oil.
Petroleum engineers also research and
adapt technology to help increase recovery efficiency to lower the cost of drilling and production operations.
The best techniques currently being used recover only a portion of the oil and gas in a reservoir, so petroleum engineers also research and develop new ways to recover more of the oil and gas. This additional recovery helps to lower the cost of drilling and production.
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Petroleum Engineering Resources |
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Online |
Overview:
Overview of Petroleum Engineering |
The Field:
Overview of Petroleum Sources, Refining, and Distribution |
Preparation:
Admission Requirements, Accredited Programs |
Day in the Life:
Teams and Coworkers,
Tasks, the Workplace |
Earnings:
Salary Ranges |
Employment:
Statistics, Industries, Types of Employers |
Career Path Forecast:
Predictions |
Professional Organizations:
Resources, Networking, Support |
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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