New oil and gas engineering graduates usually gain some experience by working offshore, and the usual pattern is “12 hours on and 12 hours off” for a two-week period, which is followed by a two- or three-week break onshore. Offshore work, which is essential to the industry, is also cold, noisy and wet, and it takes place all over the world in any kind of weather.
In any job field, there are things that need petroleum training to be done to prepare for the work involved. This is true for those who are looking for oil and gas engineering jobs, regardless of where these jobs are located. If people take the time to get ready before they apply or before they start working, they will have a lot more success. This could lead to promotions and advancements within the company. It does not pay to be apathetic, but to take active steps to accomplish more than anyone else in the industry.
It all begins with the right type of degree. For many of these jobs, a degree is required before someone is even allowed to apply. They can mail in their resume without one, of course, but applicants should remember that there are plenty of people applying for these positions who have the right educational background, who have been trained correctly. As a result, those who do not possess these qualifications stand little chance of even getting an interview.
It is also important for a prospective worker to spend some time looking into the different lifestyles that are lived by workers in oil and gas engineering jobs. Depending on what field of gas and oil engineering piques someone’s interest, there could be some significant changes coming in the future. It is best for the worker to know what these potentially are and to mentally begin preparing to live in this fashion. For example, working in offshore jobs such as a drilling station means that the person will only come home every few months, so they need to decide if this is something that they would be comfortable doing. On those trips home, they would be allowed to stay for weeks at a time.
If possible, it is always best to get some experience before applying for oil and gas engineering jobs. If the person lives in a place where there are oil wells, they may want to consider applying for an internship. This is a temporary position that may not come with pay. Despite not being compensated monetarily, this is be valuable because it will give them a chance to really learn about the job in a way that is impossible in a simple classroom setting. This also gives them a chance to make connections through various networks. They may be able to meet people who will then recommend them to the human resources department when it is time to hire a new employee.
As a rule, oil and gas engineers have bachelors degrees in relevant areas-such as chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering and those with graduate-level qualifications often earn a higher salary. The industry is quite competitive, and additional training should give you a definite advantage. Today, international corporations often provide these programs, which assure participants of a substantial income and the give them the practical experience they need as well.
A reservoir engineer calculates the amount of gas and oil that can be extracted from rock, decides where drilling should be done, and monitors and adapts production plans while a particular reservoir is in use. In addition, a drilling engineer plans and creates programs for drilling, selects the equipment to be used, oversees the project, analyzes drilling performance, and monitors safety while drilling is taking place.
Although oil and gas engineers rely heavily on their scientific and mathematical knowledge in performing a particular task, they are also expected to have an overall view of every project they work on, and at times they assume the role of supervisor or manager in order to accomplish this. These professionals also come from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, and both men and women have found oil and gas engineering to be a rewarding career.
Since the industry is becoming more diversified, many new positions for engineers are opening up, especially in developing countries, and societies as different as those of China and Australia. There is a global demand for cleaner fuels, and engineers are working to develop new products that are eco-friendly as modern technology advances.