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This engineering specialization is concerned with the advancement and exploration of the oil and gas extraction process. Petroleum Engineering is a step up from Mining Engineering and Geology, and it is related to Geoscience. Admission to petroleum engineering courses is done via entrance exams. However, many colleges and universities also offer direct admission. Candidates can pursue a diploma course after completing class 10 and a bachelor’s degree after class 12th. The entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, UPES DAT, MHT CET, WBJEE, BITSAT, VITEEE, etc are conducted to grant admission to this course.
This course is available in online as well as offline mode. Candidates can find employment in the oil and gas industry. The petroleum engineering job options include petroleum engineer, reservoir engineer, drilling engineer, production engineer, etc. Some of the top petroleum engineering colleges where candidates can pursue this course are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Gwalior, Anna University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, etc. The course fees for the B.Tech programme are INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA
Read the full post to get details on the petroleum engineering course.
Petroleum engineering is a career path for those who want to work in a scientific subject. If you want to be a petroleum engineer, it's critical that you understand the career path to becoming a petroleum engineer. Go through the details about the petroleum engineering course highlighted below.
Particular |
Details |
Profession |
Petroleum Engineering |
Eligibility Criteria |
Passed class 12th from science stream |
Entrance exam |
JEE Main, JEE Advanced, UPES DAT, WBJEE, MHT CET, etc |
Specialization |
Drilling Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysical Engineering, Production and Surface Engineering |
Top colleges in India |
|
Top colleges in abroad |
|
Fees In India |
INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA |
Required skills |
Problem solving, analytical, creativity, interpersonal, time management, coordination |
Jobs |
Petroleum Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Production Engineer |
Salary (Approx Estimate) |
INR 4,50,000 to INR 15,00, 000 LPA |
If you are passionate about natural resources such as gas and oil and want to learn how they are utilized, then petroleum engineering is the profession for you. These substances can be found in reservoirs beneath. When a reservoir is located, petroleum engineers work with scientists to visualize and comprehend the reservoir's structure as well as the surrounding geology in order to determine the best drilling method and processes.
Petroleum engineers are primarily responsible for improving techniques for extracting oil and gas from the Earth's crust, and if you are deeply concerned about the environment and want to inspire change and provide energy to the world while also protecting the environment for future generations, this is the domain for you.
Quick Link: B.Tech Petroleum Engineering
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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 B.E. or B. Tech degrees in Petroleum Engineering (PE), Petroleum Reservoir and Production Engineering, and Applied Petroleum Engineering after completing Class 10+2.
After completing an undergraduate degree, opting to study master’s will advance a candidate's career and aid in earning handsome salaries or securing promotion at the workplace. Candidates can pursue M.Tech. or M.E. degrees in Petroleum Engineering after completing their bachelor's degree.
A Master 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.
After completing an innovative research thesis in the discipline, a PhD with a specialty in petroleum engineering and related topics can be acquired. This is often followed if one is interested in research and in 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.
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.
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.
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.
The minimal entrance criteria for the postgraduate (M.Tech) petroleum engineering course(s) are listed below. An undergraduate B.E. or B.A 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.
Quick Link: B Tech colleges in India
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 specializations that focus on distinct stages of oil production. Check some of the major petroleum engineering specializations given below.
Specialization |
Details |
Drilling Engineering |
Drilling engineering is a discipline of petroleum engineering concerned with drilling various types of wells to reach reservoirs using various techniques. There are various formulae used in drilling engineering to determine essential factors such as mud rheology, mud weight, weight on bit, pump rate, and the properties of rock and drilling fluids. |
Petrophysical Engineering |
This branch of petroleum engineering is involved in developing tools and strategies for analyzing the properties of energy sources. These engineers aid in the understanding of the reservoir rock-fluid system by all other petroleum engineers. |
Production and Surface Engineering |
This discipline of petroleum engineering is in charge of monitoring output once a well has been completed. These engineers may put in place different controls and equipment required to extract crude oil or gas from wells, as well as measure and regulate the fluids generated. |
Reservoir Engineering |
Reservoir engineering is concerned with the movement of gas and oil through porous rock, as well as the distribution of these energy sources. These engineers may construct well-drainage patterns, assess reservoir performance, and develop innovative strategies to boost output. |
Quick Link: MTech colleges in India
Check the difference between petroleum engineering and petrochemical engineering is given below.
Basis of Difference |
Petroleum Engineering |
Petrochemical Engineering |
Meaning |
Petroleum engineers work upstream; upstream activities include drilling, reservoir development, oil and gas exploration, and production. |
The downstream activities of a petrochemical engineer comprise the refinement of the main end products, which are plastic, resins, and paint. |
Field of work |
Go into petroleum if you enjoy working outside at well sites, enjoy dealing with geology and subsurface formations, and if you possess a certain level of mental toughness |
Consider a career in petrochemicals if you enjoy being on the plant site, working in a balanced team to increase the company's profitability, and possess a keen eye for detail. |
Salary |
INR 4.5 LPA to INR 15 LPA |
INR 4 LPA to INR 10 LPA |
Admission to this course is mainly done based on entrance examinations conducted at the state or national level. Many colleges offer direct admission also on the basis of Class 12th merits. Check the important details of the petroleum engineering admission process given below.
For taking admission to petroleum engineering courses via entrance exam candidates have to prepare for the exam and score a rank in it.
And to take direct admission candidates have to visit the university's official website and fill out the application form.
Quick link: B.Tech admission process
There are various engineering entrance exams conducted to provide admission to this course. Individuals must pass college-based entrance examinations to be admitted to petroleum engineering diploma programmes. Check some of the major petroleum engineering entrance exams and their details are given below.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Apart from these, there is several other engineering entrance exam that is conducted to provide admission for this course like-
In India, there are around 80 Petroleum Engineering Colleges which includes both private and government. To take admission to these top colleges candidates have to qualify for the entrance exam. Go through some of the top petroleum engineering colleges in India below.
College Name |
|
Chandigarh University, Punjab |
Presidency University, Bangalore |
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, School of Engineering, Uttarakhand |
|
MBM University, Rajasthan |
Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem, Andhra Pradesh |
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University College of Engineering, Andhra Pradesh |
|
Vel's Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Tamil Nadu |
Graphic Era University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
Alagappa College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
University |
Country |
Department Petroleum Engineering at Montanuniversität Leoben |
Austria |
University of Aberdeen |
UK |
McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering - University of Tulsa |
US |
Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at The University of Texas - Austin |
US |
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering - Pennsylvania State University |
US |
IFP (Institut Français du Pétrole) |
France |
Petroleum Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines |
US |
Delft University of Technology |
Netherlands |
Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino) |
Italy |
Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering - Texas A&M University |
US |
Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering at the University of Oklahoma |
US |
Robert Gordon University (RGU) |
UK |
Department of Petroleum Engineering, the University of Louisiana - Lafayette |
US |
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) |
Norway |
Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University |
US |
Xi'an Shiyou University Petroleum Engineering |
China |
Department of Energy Resources Engineering at the Stanford University |
US |
China University of Petroleum |
China |
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) |
Denmark |
Missouri University of Science and Technology |
US |
Imperial College |
UK |
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University |
US |
Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU) |
US |
Heriot Watt Institute of Petroleum Engineering |
UK |
Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California |
US |
The University of the Stavanger |
Norway |
Technical University of Crete |
Greece |
Teesside University |
UK |
School of Chemical and Process Engineering, the University of Leeds |
UK |
Liaoning Shihua University (LSHU) |
China |
Quick Link: Best Engineering Courses in India
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.
Programme |
Fees (Approx Estimate) |
Diploma Fees |
INR 45,000 LPA to INR 1,50,000 LPA |
BTech Fees |
INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA. |
MTech Fees |
INR 1,00,000 LPA to INR 3,00,000 LPA |
PhD Fees |
INR 50,000 LPA to INR 2,00,000 LPA |
Quick Link: Scholarships offered by top IITs
The scope of this engineering specialization is very broad and perspective in India as.
To expedite exploration operations in India, the Indian government has developed policies like the Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy
By 2022, India wants to cut its imports of crude oil by 10%
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
All of the above mentioned reasons will be opening petroleum engineering job opportunities in India, which makes it a good career option and degree to study
The course curriculum of this course is designed in a way that you develop an understanding of the extraction process, from exploration and drilling through recovery and transportation. You will learn how to harvest energy in the most effective manner possible, as well as how to mitigate the negative environmental repercussions of mining. Petroleum engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering field that integrates experimental and natural sciences, economics, life sciences, and mathematics.
Every form of petroleum and automotive component is operated by modern technology. The main goal of this programme is to develop skills in students they need to advance in the petroleum industry.
The course content is chosen to align with industry demands and current employment market trends. The course content offers a fundamental comprehension of engineering ideas as well as an awareness of petroleum engineering principles and their components.
The B.Tech level syllabus is divided into eight semesters that consist of core and elective subjects with practical workshops. The B.Tech. Petroleum Engineering Syllabus is listed below, organized by semester:
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Introduction to Computing |
Introduction to Data Structure and Algorithm |
Physics |
Chemistry |
Engineering Mechanics |
Engineering Thermodynamics |
Mathematics I |
Mathematics II |
Basic Electrical Engineering |
Basic Electronics Engineering |
Engineering Drawing |
Workshop Lab |
Physics Lab |
Chemistry Lab |
Humanities and Social Sciences - Business Communication I |
Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) - Business Communication II |
Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
Methods of Applied Mathematics I |
Numerical and Statistical Methods |
Geology for Petroleum Engineers |
Petroleum Production Operations I |
Humanities and Social Science (HSS) elective |
Surveying Theory |
Mechanical Engineering I |
Mechanical Engineering II |
Drilling Technology |
Managerial Economics |
Drilling Fluids and Cement |
Elements of reservoir Engineering |
Petroleum Engineering Practical I |
Petroleum Engineering Practical II |
Geology for Petroleum Engineers Practical Lab |
Surveying Practical Lab |
Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology Practical |
Composite Viva Voce |
Petroleum Production Operations II |
Petroleum Formation Evaluation |
Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology |
Advanced Numerical Methods |
Applied Petroleum Resource Engineering and Management |
Directional Drilling |
Petroleum Engineering Practical III |
Petroleum Engineering Practical IV |
Methods of Applied Mathematics II |
Applied Electrical Engineering |
Project and Term Paper |
Project and Term Paper |
Semester 7 |
Semester 8 |
Petroleum Engineering Projects |
Petroleum Engineering Projects and Seminars |
Offshore Drilling and Petroleum Production Practices |
Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques |
Oil and Gas Well Testing |
Petroleum Engineering Design |
Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Practices |
Reservoir Modelling and Simulation |
Well Performance and Intervention |
Advanced Offshore Engineering |
Industrial Engineering and Management |
Oil and Gas Marketing and Resource Management |
Health Safety and Environment |
Pipeline Engineering |
Drilling System Design |
Quick Link: How to Prepare for WBJEE 2023?
Check the petroleum engineering subjects for the bachelor’s and master's degrees given below.
Undergraduate Subjects |
Postgraduate Subjects |
|
|
Quick Link: JEE Main Syllabus
To stand out from the crowd candidates should have certain special skills along with a petroleum engineering degree. Following are the skillset candidates must pertain to make a successful career in this engineering field.
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.
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.
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.
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 in order 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
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 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.
Job Profile |
Salary (Approx Estimate) |
Grade ‘B’ Engineers |
INR 3.5 LPA |
Research Associate |
INR 3.8 LPA |
Petroleum Engineer |
INR 4.8 LPA |
Graduate Engineer Trainee |
INR 3.5 LPA |
Class –I Executive |
INR 4.44 LPA |
Executive Trainee |
INR 3.5 LPA |
Research Engineer |
INR 6 LPA |
Junior Engineer |
INR 2.8 LPA |
Quick Link: Why pursue MTech after BTech
Candidates who pursued an engineering degree from this discipline get various career opportunities. Following are some of the petroleum engineering career paths that candidates can choose from after completing their studies.
Career Options |
Job Profile |
Drilling Engineer |
They work on oil and gas rigs on activities such as well design, drilling mud selection, and drilling process operation. They normally work in a multidisciplinary team to ensure that drilling operations are safe, ecologically sustainable, and cost-effective. |
Reservoir Engineer |
They research reservoir features to decide which procedures will extract the most oil or gas. They collaborate with petroleum geologists, geophysicists, and other types of engineers (drilling engineers and production engineers) to develop short- and long-term strategies for capitalizing on the value of exploration and production properties. |
Production Engineer |
They are working to extract oil and gas from subterranean resources. |
Well Testing Engineer |
This function entails interpreting different data such as wellbore pressure, production rates, saline percentages, and so on, which serves as a valuable reference for engineers. |
Drilling fluid engineers |
Drilling fluid engineers are in charge of keeping drilling fluids at well sites in good condition. |
Completions engineers: |
The completions engineer prepares the wellbore for production once it has been drilled. He or she creates and installs well-completion technologies to increase oil and gas output. |
Wireline and LWD engineers |
Engineers who run wireline logs to study the petrophysical characteristics of subsurface rocks are known as wireline and LWD engineers. |
Data scientists use modern digital technologies to interpret subsurface drilling, production, and reservoir data. |
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)
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Thermodynamics of Reservoirs, Drilling and Exploration, Engineering Control and Measurement, Geology of Petroleum, GeoMechanics, etc are some of the best petroleum engineering courses that candidates pursue.
Thermodynamics of Reservoirs, Drilling and Exploration, Engineering Control and Measurement, Geology of Petroleum, GeoMechanics, etc are some of the best petroleum engineering courses that candidates pursue.
Exploration, and production of oil and gas are one of the world's largest industries which makes petroleum engineering a good career option. Petroleum engineering is an interesting job that allows you to travel and work abroad while simultaneously ensuring resource sustainability and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
As the world's reliance on oil and gas resources grows, the demand for petroleum engineers is likely to rise dramatically in the future years. This indicates that smart petroleum engineers will have lots of options to find work in the near future.
If you are pursuing B.Tech in petroleum engineering the duration will be 4 years. And, the duration of MTech in petroleum engineering is 2 years.