As they work on various projects, petroleum engineers can become proficient in one or more specialty areas. Each of these areas provides its own unique set of challenges, allowing individuals to find a career path that suits their skills and tastes. Among the many options available for specialization with the industry, major specialty areas include:
- Reservoir engineering: Petroleum engineers in this specialty area estimate the optimum amount of oil and gas that can be recovered from a reservoir. Their conclusions have a major impact on a company's financial standing.
- Drilling engineering: Drilling engineers design and implement the most economical method for drilling a well.
- Well-log analysis: A well-log analyst, most often and engineer, takes various measurements either during drilling or when a well is completed. These measurements, which are taken by instruments that are sent down the well, help the well-log analyst assess the well's production potential.
- Production engineering: Once a well is completed, a production engineer uses well performance data to determine how best to bring hydrocarbons to the surface.
- Facilities engineering: The individuals who design and implement the supplemental facilities needed to separate, process and transport oil and natural gas are facilities engineers. Processing plants and pipelines are examples of supplemental facilities. Facilities engineers also design the large structures used in offshore oil and gas drilling and production.
Many petroleum engineers who have considerable industry experience go into business for themselves, starting their own E&P companies or consulting firms. Though not required in all cases, obtaining professional licensure makes a petroleum engineer a more valuable commodity.
"It demonstrates their commitment to lifelong learning and that they have become truly a professional," Margaret Watson, public relations/communications manager with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) said. "Some companies prefer licensed engineers. If you work for yourself, you must be licensed by law."
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