January 2005, Issue #36

Feature Story

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

MEDIAN INCOME: $114,616

Petroleum engineers identify and solve problems in the oil and natural gas industries. They apply their knowledge to the exploration, exploitation, drilling, production, processing, and transportation of recovered hydrocarbons from beneath the earth's surface. They face these unique challenges by using physical, mathematical, and engineering principles to produce petroleum products as well as nuclear and synthetic fuels.

The oil and gas excavation process begins with geologists, who search for geological clues of their presence. When a possible source is found, sound waves are bounced off the formations of the reservoir within the earth to determine the presence of oil or gas. Then drilling teams move in. This can mean that a new road has to be built to reach a remote part of the landscape, or an oilrig needs to be built for ocean harvesting. Once the petroleum is out of the ground, it must be transported to oil refineries or gas processing plants. Processing yields such products as jet fuel, gasoline, and asphalt. Plastic, styrofoam, clothing (polyester), and carpet fibers are also created from crude oil at chemical facilities.

Petroleum engineering is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates teams of specialists to maintain a high level of production. Chemical engineers work on petroleum production processes, research and development, and safety; mechanical engineers work on the mechanical applications of harvesting and refining petroleum; environmental engineers may be involved with environmental monitoring and clean-up processes; and geological engineers work closely to develop innovative drilling techniques.

For more information about petroleum engineering, check out the petroleum division of the ASME or the Fuels and Petrochemicals division of the AIChE.

Exclusive reprint from "Is There an Engineer Inside You?" (Professional Publications, Inc.).