The petroleum industry is broadly divided into three segments namely: upstream (exploration and production), mid-stream (storage, refining and transportation) and downstream (supply and distribution).
The oil and gas industry offers very exciting career opportunities for graduates from a wide range of disciplines. Working in this sector is associated with hard working conditions and highly intense shifts but it is also popular for high salaries and use of cutting-edge technologies.
Some of the top careers in the oil and gas industry include:
- Petroleum Engineer – involved in almost all stages of oil and gas field assessment, development and production.
- Energy Engineer – involved in the production of energy through natural resources, such as the extraction of oil and gas, or from renewable sources of energy, such as biofuels, hydro, wind and solar power.
- A geoscientist (geophysicist, geologist, geochemist, hydrogeologist or sedimentologist) is employed for interpreting geophysical, geochemical and geological data to develop models for discovering commercially viable reserves of natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals and water.
- Engineering geologist – Assesses natural conditions, such as geological risks and deals with factors that could affect engineering works.
- Hydrographic surveyor – usually work onboard survey ships and platforms for measuring and mapping underwater surfaces and studying the morphology of the seabed.
- Mining engineer – ensures the efficient development of mines and other surface and underground operations. Mining engineers are involved at all stages of a project
- Mudlogger – monitors drilling activity, recording information about the well status during the extraction of oil or gas.
Additional careers in the oil and gas industry include: Offshore Technicians, Barge Masters, Superintendents, Deck Crew, Engineers, Riggers, Safety Officers, Rig Managers, Offshore Installation Managers, Senior Subsea Supervisors, Deepwater Drillers, Assistant Drillers, Drilling Engineers, Dynamic Positioning Operators, Electronic Technicians, Electricians, Mechanics, Civil Engineer, Project Managers, Process Engineers, Construction Managers, Reservoir Engineers, Facility Engineers, Lead Pipeline Engineers, Lead Piping Engineer, Piping Designer, Inspectors, Procurement Officers, Field Engineers, Project Engineers, Cost Estimator, Logistic Engineer and Lead Electrical Engineers among others.
More career options for students in all Colleges will be posted on the Office of Career Services website.