Petroleum Engineers

Petroleum engineers design and supervise the process of getting oil and natural gas out of the ground and into storage tanks. Most of these engineers work for oil companies, but some work for firms that sell equipment and tools to oil companies. Others teach in colleges and universities or serve as consultants to industry and government.

When a site for a well is selected, petroleum engineers decide how to drill. They choose equipment and supervise workers who install and operate it. If oil or gas is found, petroleum engineers test samples of the oil-bearing rock layers. Then they test the reservoir where the oil or gas is located to see whether the oil or gas will flow by itself or whether it must be forced from the ground. The results of these tests help petroleum engineers choose the best methods and equipment for the job.

Petroleum engineers must bring the oil or gas to the surface as cheaply and safely as possible. Because oil and salt water are often found together, the engineers must also find ways of returning the salt water to the ground. If the salt water is spilled, it can damage crops and plants. When they are involved with offshore drilling, petroleum engineers try to prevent costly spills that waste oil and pollute water and shorelines. They also supervise the early stages of natural gas processing.

Because petroleum engineers know what it costs to produce oil and gas, some are employed by banks that lend money to oil companies. Others work for government agencies that regulate oil production. Experienced petroleum engineers help with research aimed at finding ways to recover a greater percentage of the oil and natural gas that exists in petroleum reservoirs. Information Technology and Services - Karachi, Pakistan

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