Also called: Petroleum Production Engineer
Keeps oil and gas wells flowing as much as possible once they're drilled.
You check data from dozens of wells, pick which one needs a new pump, and design fixes for wells clogged with sand or wax. Some days you are in the office running models; others you are out on a well pad.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in petroleum or chemical engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering.
Growing slowly (about 1% over 10 years). Petroleum engineers overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI and remote monitoring optimize wells automatically, so each engineer covers more wells; field fixes stay human.
Classes: Chemistry, AP Physics, Statistics, Earth science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2171.
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