<p>I have read tons of threads here on petroleum engineering.</p>
<p>I am interested in either drilling or reservoir engineering.
I want to know the real differences between the two.</p>
<p>Drilling sounds more interesting but I like the <code>normalness</code>of reservoir.
Drilling is more field work, lots of travel, very tough hours, very stressful.
Reservoir is more office work, not as much travel, more normal hours, can be somewhat boring.</p>
<p>I am a mech eng undergrad. I am in Canada, so I`d probably be moving to Calgary, Alberta.
I would be looking to be family oriented (Ill be 26 when I graduate). I like the aspect of working in field more than office, but I think after a while it would get old. After a few years, Id want to get in to consulting or finance. Family life plus future goals makes me feel as though reservoir would be a better choice. However, drilling does sound more exciting.</p>
<p>I need feedback here by people who are reservoir or drilling engineers (preferably Calgary based) and what it is like.</p>
MechE is more relevant to drilling. Do you have any background in geoscience? Or numerical methods?</p>
<p>Do you have a choice right now anyway? You can talk to the recruiters who come to your university and find out what positions are available to you.</p>
<p>I am looking at next summer`s employment opportunities.
Just doing some research. No background in geoscience and numerical methods is a course that can be taken, and will be, but not before next fall.</p>
<p>Drilling engineers tend to work on site such as on rigs or oil fields. It’s involves more field work and traveling. You will also be away from your family for longer periods as its based on a rotation. For example 14 days offshore then 14 days offs.</p>
<p>Reservoir engineering tends to happen more in the office but you still may have to travel. It involves modeling the reservoir and figuring ou the best way to extract oil and the most efficient and cheapest method.</p>
<p>How would a mechanical engineer break into Reservoir engineering without any prior experience in the industry? I’m curious because I’m sure there are plenty of MechE’s working as reservoir engineers in oil&gas, but I’m guessing they have to follow non-traditional routes to get there.</p>