Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

• Conduct feasibility assessment studies for developing new oil and gas fields
• Direct and monitor oil and gas drilling operations
• Develop drilling programs, select sites and specify drilling fluids, bit selection, drill stem testing procedures and equipment
• Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing and well surveys
• Design and select artificial lift machinery, and well and surface production equipment and systems, and specify programs for corrosion control and oil or gas treatment
• Develop specifications for and monitor and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
• Analyze reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum recovery methods and to predict reservoir performance and reserves
• Monitor and forecast oil and gas reservoir performance and recommend oil recovery techniques which extend the economic life of wells
• Design, develop and coordinate the installation, maintenance and operation of subsea well-head and production equipment.
• Petroleum engineers may specialize in drilling, production, reservoir analysis or subsea operations.

• A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
• A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.