What's the future of petroleum engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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PetroE has to do with how to find, extract and refine petroleum. Finding it is Geology, extracting is a mix of ChemE and MechE and then refining it is ChemE. So it depends on the which part of the chain you want to work on.

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<p>No, I'm afraid I have to agree with Mr. Payne. Petroleum Engineering, as usually defined, has almost nothing to do with the refining of petroleum. Rather, it has much more to do with the discovery and extraction of petroleum. Hence, PetE is far more aligned with mining engineering, geology, and to some extent civil engineering. Almost nothing that you learn in ChemE can actually be applied to PetE.</p>

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<p>Sorry, I read a description that included the refinement of crude oil.</p>

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<p>if i do engineering in petroleum will i soon get a job and what will be starting pay or i choose telecommunication engin.</p>

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<p>Let's say all the oil in the world dried up. I would think that a Petro Engineer could transfer their skills to geothermal work. Oil shale and oil sands would also keep one busy.</p>

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<p>Actually, your right, geothermal and mining are some of the fields petroleum engineers can switch to. You have to be somewhat of a geology lover to do petrol. When I retire, I might go back for my PhD in geology. I would like to either teach at a university or work in some research field. I think it would be hilarious.</p>

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<p>I've never heard of chem eng's taking well logging, well completions, or rock properties. Hmm, would be like me taking reactor design, absolutely useless.</p>

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<p>I’m going to gradute high school in 2011 and get an engineering degree in 4 years but I’ll be, let’s call it preocupied for 10 years. So what I’m wondering is will there still be a large demand for petroleum engineers in 2025?</p>

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<p>No, there will not be.</p>

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<p>My son is interested in engineering with a lean toward aero or pet. We are VA. residents so no instate schools available to him for Petroleum. LSU is in the academic common market for VA. so he could get instate tuition there. Besides, Texas, any thoughts on the other schools that offer Petroleum? I know the list is short but we are not familiar with any of those schools. And obviously we cannot travel all over the country visiting. My son is a good studnent with A average. He scored well on his PSAT’s with a 700 in Math, had not taken the SAT. He is involved in clubs but likes marching band the most. He plays 2 instruments, clarinet and mellophone. His backup plan if engineering isn’t his thing is math with an interest in actuary science. ANy help would be great. Everyone in VA. just runs to VT for engineering because of cost and it is a good school. My son wants to expereience a different part of the country but we need merit aid. Thanks…Go Hokies!</p>

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<p>LSU/UT/TAMU/Mines/MT/TTU/OU/Tulsa are generally the biggest at the undergrad level.</p>

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<p>Thanks, Mr. Payne. I always enjoy reading your comments.</p>

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<p>hi, i’m currently a senior at a high school and am going to graduate this year in 2010. i’m also interested in majoring in a petroleum engineering and am considering a double major in petroleum engineering and electrical engineering. i don’t think that is very common, but i’m only doing it as kind of a back up plan should the pet e field “dry up”, and other various reason like the traveling – even though i like the idea of visiting new places and exploring the world, its bound to get in the way when i’m trying to get settled down with a family and all that. should i do the double major?</p>

<p>also the only schools that offer pet e major are stanford and USC in the california region. i know that stanford only accepts about 1-2% of their transfer applicants – since i’m going to go to community college first. stanford is my dream, and i’m definitely going to try for it but would USC be a suitable back up, and then maybe do my masters/graduate degree in stanford?</p>

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<p>Mr. Payne said, “I think that after 20 years the need for PetE will decline dramatically.”</p>

<p>With all due respect, I used to hear this a lot in 1980.</p>

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<p>The way this oil spill is going… There will be no oil left in the gulf ;)</p>

35

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I’m not sure what your point is.</p>

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<p>I don’t mind to sound supercilious, but…wait, yes I do.</p>

<p>Ranch’s post shouldn’t be hard to figure out at all.</p>

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<p>Petroleum engineering (and the petroleum industry) will cease to have a reliable future the second it costs more than 1 barrel of oil to extract 1 barrel of oil.</p>

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<p>thats only because we’ve had ass-hat governments every 4 years since 1980 when it comes to energy policy in the states. America is going to have to turn to alternative energy sooner or later…too bad we’re probably going to try to seriously change it when its too late.</p>

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<p>hii everyone! i heard ME and Pet E are related( in another college confidential discussion) can mechanical engineers have jobs in the Middle East for oil companies?</p>

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<p>I meant can I get a MS in Pet E after a Bs in ME</p>