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Petroleum Engineer

 
Background
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods to extract oil and gas from the ground and beneath the ocean floor. They work on drilling operations, manage equipment, and solve technical problems to make extraction safer and more efficient. This role involves a mix of office work using computer simulations and field work at drilling sites, often in remote or challenging environments.
Similar Roles
Lessons to help you on this path
Publications
Journal of Petroleum TechnologySPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) publications
Books
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil Money and PowerPetroleum GeologyEnergy and Civilization
Movies
Deepwater HorizonThere Will Be Blood
Key Figures
John D. RockefellerLise MeitnerElon MuskRex Tillerson
Classification
SIC Code8711, 87110300The Standard Industry Code
Dewey Reference622.338, 333.8For looking up books in your local library
Synonyms
Oil and Gas EngineerDrilling EngineerReservoir EngineerUpstream Engineer
Last Updated: Thursday, May 7th, 2026
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