Petroleum engineers help find oil and gas for the country’s energy needs. Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.
What Does a Petroleum Engineer Do?
Petroleum engineers evaluate oil and gas reservoirs to determine their profitability. They examine the geology of future drilling sites to plan the safest and most efficient method of drilling and recovering oil. They manage the installation, maintenance, and operation of equipment.
Where Does a Petroleum Engineer Work?
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of petroleum engineers (53%) worked in oil and gas extraction as of 2012. 14% provided support activities for mining.
Another 7% were employed in architectural, engineering, and related services. 6% were involved in the manufacture of petroleum and coal products, and another 6% were employed as company managers.
Personal requirements for been a Petroleum Engineer in South Africa
Enjoy technical and engineering activities
Willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of an operation
Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
Good oral and written communication skills
Aptitude for computing and design
Practical and creative
Able to work without supervision
Able to accept responsibility
Education & Training for a Petroleum Engineer
To become a petroleum engineer you usually have to study engineering at university with a major in petroleum engineering.
You may also consider related specialisations such as chemical, civil, mechanical or mining engineering.
To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.
Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements.
Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Petroleum Engineer Licensure in South Africa
Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed as professional engineers (PEs). Licensure generally requires:
A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Relevant work experience, typically at least 4 years
A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
What qualifications do you need to become a petroleum engineer?
To become a petroleum engineer, you will need a degree in a relevant subject such as petroleum, mechanical or chemical engineering. A list of accredited courses is available on the Engineering Council’s website.
How long does it take to become a petroleum engineer in South Africa?
A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering typically takes four years and includes class work, labs and field work. The program normally requires basic sciences such as chemistry, calculus, differential equations and physics.
How long does it take to become a petroleum engineer?
four years
Get a bachelor’s degree
A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Petroleum Engineering will typically take four years to complete. The first two years will provide a comprehensive foundation, while advanced work in the last two years will cover various geological courses to understand rock formations.
Are petroleum engineers in demand in South Africa?
Petroleum engineers are in high demand in South Africa due to its rich oil and gas fields. They specialize in the evaluation, development, and production of these resources. Within the field of petroleum engineering, there are further specializations, such as focusing on geology, drilling, and production.
Is it hard to get a job as a petroleum engineer?
According to the BLS, the demand for petroleum engineers is expected to grow at a slower pace than average with a three-percent job outlook between 2018 and 2028. That means getting your first professional engineering role as a petroleum engineer will likely be more competitive.
Which university is best for petroleum engineering in South Africa?
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering
North West University.
University of Cape Town.
University of Johannesburg.
University of Kwazulu-Natal.
University of Pretoria.
University of Stellenbosch.
University of the Witswatersrand.
Do petroleum engineers travel a lot?
Petroleum engineers generally work in an office setting, but must sometimes work on site to monitor operations. Petroleum engineers generally work in offices or at drilling and well sites. Travel is frequently required to visit these sites or to meet with other engineers, oilfield workers, and customers.
Are petroleum engineers in demand?
The overall job outlook for Petroleum Engineer careers has been positive since 2004. Vacancies for this career have increased by 89.58 percent nationwide in that time, with an average growth of 5.60 percent per year. Demand for Petroleum Engineers is expected to go up, with an expected 6,550 new jobs filled by 2029.