Petroleum engineer
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work evenings and weekends
- Usually work in offices and may travel to drilling and well sites
- May work in hazardous, noisy and dirty conditions
- Need to be accurate, safety conscious and identify and solve problems
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Design drilling operations
- Oversee oil and gas extraction
- Monitor drilling output
- Test how drilling equipment performs
- Fix problems affecting drilling
- Supervise staff
- Analyse site data
Outlook
The energy sector is undergoing significant change as countries balance energy security, affordability and sustainability goals. While renewable energy continues to expand, oil and gas remain important parts of the global energy mix. Petroleum engineering is increasingly influenced by advances in automation, digital monitoring, emissions reduction technologies and carbon management initiatives, creating a more technology-focused and efficiency-driven industry.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Strong mathematics and analytical skills
- Problem-solving and critical-thinking ability
- Understanding of engineering principles and systems
- Confidence using technology and data
- Project management and planning skills
- Teamwork and communication skills
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.