Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is a field of engineering concerned with the activities related to producing hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. If you have a passion for working with advanced technologies and equipment and solving complex problems related to the extraction and production of oil and gas then petroleum engineering is the right choice for you. Candidates can pursue petroleum engineering courses after 12th grade and also acquire higher specialization by studying M Tech or PhD. Admission to this course is done through entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, UPES DAT, MHT CET, BITSAT, VITEEE, etc. Some petroleum engineering colleges also grant merit-based admission. The petroleum engineering syllabus covers thermodynamics, geology, computation, applied mechanics, structural engineering, etc.

To become a Petroleum Engineer, you can either pursue a BTech in Petroleum Engineering course or go for advanced research by pursuing an M.Tech or a Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering course. This course is available online as well as offline mode. Candidates can find employment in the oil and gas industry and be hired by on-shore and offshore oil exploration businesses. The petroleum engineering job options include reservoir engineer, drilling engineer, production engineer, petroleum engineer, and more. Some of the top petroleum engineering colleges in India are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and so on. India's average petroleum engineering fees are between INR 50,000 and INR 10 LPA. If you are planning to enroll in this course this year, read this page thoroughly to get to know more about petroleum engineering course details.

Quick Facts About Petroleum Engineering

• Many companies around the world deal with petroleum, which creates great opportunities for Petroleum Engineers. These engineers work on developing new technologies for extracting oil and gas from shale and offshore fields. 
• Petroleum Engineers work in remote locations such as deserts in the Middle East or coastal shores in India and other countries.
• India hosts oil and gas exploration in locations such as Digboi Field, Naharkatiya Field, Moran-Hugrijan Field, Mumbai High, Kalol, etc.
• To expedite exploration operations in India, the Indian government has developed policies like the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy
• In early 2015, the government had set a target to reduce reliance on oil imports to 67% by 2022 from 77% in 2013-14, but the dependence has only increased. India had been courting Russia for crude oil since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Moscow offered it at cheaper rates.
• Only 7 of India's 26 sedimentary basins have been investigated. Therefore, there is a lot of exploration work that has to be done.
• To boost oil and gas output, Indian PSUs and private companies are investing billions of dollars.
• A sizable number of workers in the oil and gas sector will retire in the coming years.

Quick Link: B.Tech Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering is a career path for those who want to work in a scientific subject.  If you want to be a petroleum engineer, you must understand the career path to becoming a petroleum engineer. Go through the details about the petroleum engineering course highlighted below. 

Petroleum engineering is a prospective engineering specialization with numerous career benefits and advantages. If you are planning to pursue petroleum engineering you will get the following benefits in this domain. 

High Salary

Petroleum engineers benefit from a high salary and a better package than a basic engineer as it is an unconventional engineering domain. A petroleum engineer's starting salary on average is INR 4.5 LPA. The salary grows with experience and education. And after getting relevant experience the salary can hike up from INR 10 LPA to INR 44 LPA.  

Extra Allowances

Petroleum engineers are also compensated with paid time off, many retirement schemes, and excellent health insurance packages because they work in mines and risky environments

Opportunity to make a Difference in the World

Petroleum engineers make the drilling process safer for people, communities, animals, and the environment. They also make it more efficient and the pricing cheaper for clients. They oversee adherence to best practices, industry standards, and environmental and safety requirements, as well as contribute to energy independence

Never Ending Opportunities

Petroleum is required not only for fuel and heat, but also as a raw ingredient in the manufacturing of plastics, rubber, detergents, pharmaceutical medications, textiles, cosmetics, fragrances, paints, and other products. The globe will always require energy. Petroleum engineers identify, extract, and maintain the world's oil and gas supplies. Therefore, there will always be skilled personnel required in the petroleum engineering domain. 

Quick Link: Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India

An online petroleum engineering degree allows students to get a degree in petroleum engineering without having to attend traditional on-campus classes. Petroleum engineering is a type of engineering that deals with the discovery, extraction, and production of oil and natural gas. 

The best part about an online degree is that students can access course materials, lectures, and assignments from anywhere with an internet connection. This is especially helpful for those who may have work or other commitments. In an online petroleum engineering degree, students will learn about different aspects of petroleum engineering, such as how to find oil and gas reservoirs, how to drill wells, and how to produce oil and gas. They will also have access to interactive learning tools like discussion forums and virtual simulations, which make learning more interesting and engaging. 

Moreover, online programs offer flexibility in terms of scheduling, allowing students to access course materials at their own pace and complete assignments within designated time frames. This means that students can pursue their degree while continuing to work or take care of other responsibilities. Online petroleum engineering degree programs also provide support services, including access to professors or tutors, technical support, and academic advising, to help students succeed in their studies. However, it's important to note that while online programs offer flexibility, students still need to meet the academic requirements and standards set by the institution offering the program.

Petroleum Engineering Online Courses

Check the difference between petroleum engineering and petrochemical engineering is given below. 

If you are eager to know about How Many Courses are There in Petroleum Engineering? you are in the right place. There are many types of courses in this engineering specialization that candidates can pursue depending on their eligibility criteria. Check the major petroleum engineering courses given below. 

Diploma Course

It provides students with the fundamental engineering abilities needed to perform entry-level employment in the petroleum sector and the opportunity to start a career early. After completing Class 10, candidates can pursue a diploma in petroleum engineering course

Undergraduate Course

Securing a proper bachelor’s degree is a great way of kick-starting a career as many recruiters' minimum requirement is an undergraduate degree. Candidates can pursue a B.E. or B. Tech degrees in Petroleum Engineering (PE), Petroleum Reservoir and Production Engineering, and Applied Petroleum Engineering after completing Class 10+2. 

Postgraduate Course 

After completing an undergraduate degree, opting to study master’s will advance a candidate's career and aid in earning handsome salaries or securing a promotion at the workplace. Candidates can pursue M.Tech. or M.E. degrees in Petroleum Engineering after completing their bachelor's degree. 

Postgraduate (Research Based) Course

A Master's in Petroleum Engineering or similar subjects can be acquired after completing a post-graduate level research thesis with little classroom work. Graduates from any field relevant to petroleum engineering are eligible to participate in this postgraduate degree program.

Doctoral Course

After completing an innovative research thesis in the discipline, a Ph.D. with a specialty in petroleum engineering and related topics can be acquired. This is often followed if one is interested in research and PE. Candidates can pursue a doctoral course after securing a master’s degree. To obtain a doctorate, an applicant must first win admission to one of the premier petroleum engineering institutes within a central university.

Dual Degree (UG + PG 5 Years) Course

Candidates can also pursue a dual degree. Petroleum engineering specialized B.Tech + M.Tech programmes provide dual degree exits with a specialty in a sub-field. 

Before applying for this course, candidates should make sure they have met the eligibility criteria requirements. Check the level-wise petroleum engineering eligibility criteria given below. 

Diploma Petroleum Engineering Eligibility Criteria

A minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the Class 10 board examination is required for admission to the diploma course in petroleum engineering. The requisite percentage of marks is reduced for applicants from the SC/ST/PWD categories.

BE/ B Tech Petroleum Engineering Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility for undergraduate programmes at government colleges is 75% in Class 12 with the disciplines of Math, Physics, and Chemistry. Some, however, have 60% in both Class 10 and Class 12 from a recognized Examination Board. Students from the SC/ST/PWD categories have their eligibility lowered by 5%. The prerequisites for private universities differ substantially as well.

ME/ M Tech Petroleum Engineering Eligibility Criteria

The minimal entrance criteria for the postgraduate (M.Tech) petroleum engineering course(s) are listed below. An undergraduate B.E. or B. Tech degree in Petroleum Engineering with a minimum of first-class (60%) marks or 6.0 (out of 10.0) Grade Point Average (GPA) from an AICTE-recognized institution or Parliamentary Act-authorized central or state university is required.

Required Skill Set for Petroleum Engineering

To stand out from the crowd candidates should have certain special skills along with a petroleum engineering degree. Following are the skillset candidates must possess to make a successful career in this engineering field. 

Analytical Capabilities

Petroleum engineers must be capable of accumulating a large amount of technical data and information at the facility. They must guarantee that the plants run efficiently and safely. A Petroleum Engineer is required to be proficient in Mathematics and data management, from building sophisticated drill equipment to completing complex calculations for drill holes and accumulating a high load of technical information.

Interpersonal abilities

Petroleum engineers are expected to collaborate on a variety of projects with individuals from all around the world. Because they must communicate with others and work on complicated equipment, machinery, and infrastructure, interpersonal skills are essential to doing the task safely, on time, and efficiently.

Problem-Solving Capabilities

For petroleum engineers working on drilling designs, identifying and eliminating difficulties is critical. They must make sound judgments and quickly detect any risks that may arise in the future.

Creativity 

The upcoming issues are harder to deal with with the arrival of each new drill site. As a result, petroleum engineers must develop innovative drill designs to extract gas and oil with little human labor. The other important skills that petroleum engineers must hold are:

• Critical thinking
• Listening
• Judgment and decision-making
• Monitoring
• Time management
• Coordination
• Negotiation
• Quality control analysis

Quick Link: B Tech colleges in India

There are various engineering entrance exams conducted to provide admission to petroleum engineering course. Check some of the major petroleum engineering entrance exams and their details are given below. 

JEE Main

National Testing Agency conducts the JEE Main exam to select qualified candidates for admission to undergraduate engineering programme like BE/ BTech offered at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and some other colleges designated as CFTIs.

JEE Advanced

IIT Bombay conducts the JEE Advanced exam to select applicants for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). Candidates must have completed the JEE Main and received a rank to be eligible for the JEE Advanced test.

UPES DAT

The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) administers the UPES Design Aptitude Test (DAT). It is an online entrance test held for admission to the college's School of Design Studies' numerous undergraduate and postgraduate design degrees (SoDS).

BITSAT

The BITS Admission Test (BITSAT) is a computer-based online admission test administered by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. BITS is one of India's finest private technical education colleges. The BITSAT exam is designed to assess students' analytical abilities.

VITEEE

The Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE) is a common entrance exam for VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai, VIT Bhopal, and VIT Andhra Pradesh. The VITEEE university-level test is held in around 120 cities for 5000 seats at Chennai, Vellore, Bhopal, and Amravati campuses.

Quick Link: How to Prepare for WBJEE 2024?

Petroleum engineering is concerned with the development and extraction of natural resources such as natural gas and oil for use in energy conversion. Within this sector, there are many specialisations that focus on distinct stages of oil production. Check some of the major petroleum engineering specialisations given below. 

Quick Link: MTech colleges in India

Admission to this course is mainly done based on entrance examinations conducted at the state or national level. Many colleges offer direct admission also based on Class 12th merits.  To take admission into the petroleum engineering course through the entrance exam follow the details given below.

Release of Notification & Filling of Application Form: Candidates must wait for the release of the official notification of the petroleum engineering entrance exam. Once the notification is out, the exam conducting body will start the registration process. Candidates must fill out the petroleum engineering application form for the entrance exam and pay the fees.

Download Admit Card: After closing the registration window, the exam conducting body will release the admit card. Candidates must download the admit card for the entrance exam and carry it to the exam centre along with the required documents. 

Sit for the Exam: Candidates must appear in the petroleum engineering entrance exam and follow all the exam day instructions. It is advised that candidates study very well for the exam to qualify for the exam.

Release of the Result: The exam conducting body will release the entrance exam result on its official website. Candidates whose name appears in the merit list will qualify for the further admission round

Counselling & Seat Allotment: After the release of the petroleum engineering entrance exam result, there will be counselling and seat allotment conducted through which candidates will be allotted seats in the participating colleges.

Also Read: B.Tech Admission Process

If you do not wish to sit for the entrance exam, then certain petroleum engineering colleges offer direct admission also. To take petroleum engineering merit-based admission you can refer to the details given below. 

Shortlist College: Not every engineering colleges in India offers admission through merits, therefore first you must research the colleges that grant merit-based admission. Check the college’s admission process, and eligibility criteria and make sure you are eligible. 

Fill up the Application Form: On the college’s official website, there will be an announcement for the release of the application form. You must fill up the application form carefully and upload all the required educational and other documents. 

Release of the Merit List: After receiving the applications, the college’ will analyze the student’s credentials and release the merit list on its official website. If your name appears on the merit list that means you are selected for the admission to petroleum engineering course. 

Counselling and Interview Rounds: Many petroleum engineering colleges also conduct additional counselling and interview rounds after the release of the merit list to judge a candidate’s potential. If the college you are applying for merit-based admission has such rounds, you must appear in them and give your best. Following that, you will be given a petroleum engineering seat.

Also Read: 

• BTech Admission Without Entrance Exam
• Top Engineering Colleges that Offer Admission Without Entrance Exam

The fees for Petroleum Engineering vary from college to college. If you are availing of any scholarship available the fee can be reduced. Check the programme-wise petroleum engineering course fees given below. 

Quick Link: Scholarships offered by top IITs

This course is all about learning how energy is extracted from the earth, starting from finding oil and gas reserves to transporting them. You will also learn how to do this in a way that is safe for the environment. Petroleum engineering is a type of engineering that combines different areas of science, like economics, biology, and math, to help us extract and use oil and gas in the best way possible. This course is designed to give you the skills you need to work in the petroleum industry. The course content is based on what the industry needs so you can be ready to work after you finish the course. You will learn basic engineering concepts and how they apply to the extraction of oil and gas.

As discussed, the petroleum engineering course is a four-year undergraduate degree programme that is divided into eight semesters. Its subjects are designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge to establish a career in petroleum. After completing a petroleum engineering degree, students can avail themselves of numerous lucrative opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Listed below are a few petroleum engineering syllabus & subjects:

• Drilling and Well Completion
• Drilling Fluids
• Earth Science
• Energy Resources
• Natural Gas Engineering
• Petroleum Exploration
• Petroleum Geology
• Thermodynamics of Reservoir Fluids

Quick Link: JEE Main Syllabus

In India, there are various government engineering colleges that offer petroleum engineering courses in which you can enroll in. These petroleum engineering colleges have good placement rates and also affordable fee structures. Go through the list of popular petroleum engineering government colleges and their fee structure given below.

There are several options of private engineering colleges in India in which you can study petroleum engineering colleges. These private colleges also hold a good reputation and will lead you to a successful career. Check the top private petroleum engineering colleges with their fee structure given below. 

Several colleges offer petroleum engineering admission directly based on merit. We have mentionned some of these colleges here in the pointers. However, candidates are always advised to check the official websites of the institutes before applying for admission. Some institutions may vary.

1. Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad
2. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun
3. Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), Gandhinagar
4. Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Pune
5. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Rae Bareli
6. Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh
7. University of Mumbai, Mumbai
8. Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam
9. School of Petroleum Technology, Gandhinagar
10. Dehradun Institute of Technology (DIT), Dehradun

Studying abroad is an excellent approach to demonstrate to potential employers your capacity to collaborate with individuals from diverse cultures. The distribution of petroleum reserves is across the world, therefore there are employment opportunities in foreign countries. 

Pursuing this course from abroad will well acquaint you with an excellent education as per international standards. Along with that, you will get hands-on experience via field trips, workshops, and case studies conducted at international colleges. Check the petroleum engineering scope abroad given below. 

USA

The degrees earned from American colleges, which are home to some of the greatest in the world, are respected all around the globe. Due to its high-quality education provided by highly regarded colleges, its diversified population, and the lifestyle that each and every foreign student may experience, the USA has long been a favorite study-abroad destination.

Australia

It is the perfect place for students who wish to study Petroleum Engineering. The emphasis on research is one of Australia's most alluring features for foreign students. Australian resources and outstanding technologies are available to students there. 

UK

The UK boasts a strong academic tradition and top-notch training and research resources. Additionally, career prospects are high, particularly for STEM grads. The UK's digital industry has expanded significantly in recent years and has made a considerable economic contribution. 

Turkey

Students who want to study in Turkey may have a beautiful and interesting experience by having the chance to learn about old traditions, hospitable Turkish culture, and historical monuments. Turkey has over 200 universities, the majority of which are still relatively new.

Quick Link: Direct B.Tech admission

Popular Petroleum Engineering Colleges in Abroad

Due to the demands of petroleum engineers in many countries, many top colleges abroad offer this course at the bachelor’s and master's levels. If a candidate can afford to study abroad it will open various career opportunities in the future as international degrees are respected across the globe. Check the list of some of the best petroleum engineering colleges abroad. 

Quick Link: Best Engineering Courses in India

Candidates who pursue an engineering degree inin this discipline get various career opportunities. Following are some of the petroleum engineering career paths that candidates can choose from after completing their studies. 

What is Petroleum Engineering Salary in India?

A petroleum engineer salary in India for freshers is around INR 4.5 LPA to INR 15 LPA which can hike up to INR 15 LPA to INR 40 LPA or even more once candidates get relevant experience in the field. The salary also depends on the type of organization, candidates' qualifications, and skills. Check the petroleum engineering salary in India for various job profiles given below. 

Quick Link: Why pursue MTech after BTech

Petroleum Engineering Recruiters 

One of the best-paid engineering programmes in the world is petroleum engineering. There are two options for graduates in petroleum engineering in both governmental and private enterprises, etc. The top companies that hire petroleum engineers are 

• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)    
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• Oil India Limited (OIL)
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
• Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC)
• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)    
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)       
• Halliburton
• Shell
• Schlumberger
• Reliance Industries Ltd ( Reliance Energy)

There are several scopes after the conclusion of the petroleum engineering course. Candidates are open to a handful of courses. Some of them have been listed below.