Petroleum
Engineering is a
recent
development
in the field of
technical education which is becoming very much popular
among young masses.
Petroleum engineers
are involved in the exploration and production activities of
petroleum which is an upstream end of the energy sector. The
study covers a wide range of topics, including economics,
geology, geochemistry, geomechanics, geophysics, oil drilling,
geopolitics,
knowledge management, seismology, tectonics, thermodynamics,
well logging, well completion, oil and gas production, reservoir
development, and pipelines etc.
With the
development of new
technology, Petroleum
engineering has
become very much useful in the extraction process. Improvements
in computer modeling, materials and the application of
statistics, probability analysis, and new technologies like
horizontal drilling and
enhanced oil recovery, have also improved the toolbox of the
petroleum engineer in recent decades.
Three are few institutions in India, offering BTech/MTech
programs in Petroleum
Engineering. The
courses are taught by professionals from petroleum industries
including ISM, ONGC, IOC and also academicians and researchers
from several global centres dealing with petroleum technology
and research.
Courses & Eligibility
The courses in
Petroleum
engineering are offered both at undergraduate and postgraduate
level. Like the degree program of any other
engineering branches, the
B.Tech program in Petroleum
Engineering also requires
a minimum + 2 qualification in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry
and Maths with high percentage of marks in aggregate.
M. Tech (Petroleum
Engineering) is offered
by Indian School of Mines University, Dhanbad. The course is open to
Petroleum, Petrochemical, Chemical and Mechanical
Engineering graduates.
Non Petroleum
Engineering graduates
have to undergo some introductory papers.
One can also pursue PhD program after completing post-graduation
studies. The research career is tough but rewarding.
Career Prospects
Petroleum
engineering, being a rare field of
engineering study,
offers quite good job opportunities to the graduates. Freshers may
find ample scope in public undertakings as well as in corporate
sector that deal with petroleum exploration and extraction.
A Petroleum engineer�s work involves bringing oil or gas from the
reservoir to the surface economically, safely and with minimum
damage to the reservoir and facilities. Other activities include
management of material resources and contractor relationships and
also supervising drilling personnel. They work in multidisciplinary
teams alongside other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and
contractors.
Despite the low number of potential job openings for
petroleum engineers, the field is always in short supply of
qualified entry level professionals. The world continues to demand
safe, affordable energy sources and that will always make a degree
in petroleum
engineering a
valuable investment. And the rewards for such a career are going to
be long-term. There are many challenges in this field; however,
petroleum engineers apply their technical skills and knowledge
to solve these
engineering
challenges.
Apart from opting for professional career, one can also do research
work for further
development of the field. He/she may join research labs as
scientists or research fellow to carry out the R&D processes.
Pay-Package
Petroleum
engineers are among the highest paid professionals in recent
times. The reason for the high remuneration is due to relatively low
number of qualified workers in the industry. Almost all graduating
petroleum
engineers go on to find employment. In India
Petroleum engineers are
paid monthly salary between Rs.25, 000 and Rs.40, 000 apart from other
perks and benefits. The average starting salary of
petroleum engineers in
developed countries is about $50,000, and the mean annual salary is more
than $80,000.
Institutes/Universities
Here is a list of top
institutions offering courses in Petroleum
Engineering and
technology. You can also check list of vast number of
engineering colleges located in various states and major
cities of the country which might be offering courses in Petroleum
engineering.
Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, Indian School of Mines
University
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University
Institute of Petroleum Technology, Gandhinagar
Institute of Petroleum Management, Gandhinagar (IPMG)