Petroleum Engineers

Completion Engineer

Drilling Engineer

Engineer

Operations Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Production Engineer

Project Production Engineer

Project Reservoir Engineer

Reservoir Engineer

Reservoir Engineering Consultant

What is a Petroleum Engineer?

Petroleum engineers are professionals who specialize in the extraction and production of oil and gas from underground reservoirs. They utilize their understanding of geology, physics, and engineering principles to develop methods for extracting these resources in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. Their work involves conducting feasibility studies to determine the viability of drilling locations, designing drilling plans, and implementing enhanced oil recovery techniques to maximize the extraction of hydrocarbons from the earth. Additionally, petroleum engineers collaborate with geologists and other specialists to analyze geological data, assess reservoir performance, and optimize production techniques. Their expertise plays a crucial role in meeting the world's energy demands while navigating the challenges associated with sustainable resource management.

Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$77340.0 - $225920.0

New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average

Finding local jobs...

Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Related Occupations

Tasks

Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.

Technology Skills

Analytical or scientific software
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint 365
Object or component oriented development software
- C# 12.0
- C++23
- Java 21
- R 4.3.2
Data base user interface and query software
Development environment software

Tools Used

Scanners
- Computer scanners
Notebook computers
- Laptop computers
Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
Desktop computers
Personal computers

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

7 Active Jobs in South Africa

Avg Salary: R55,126pm

Determining Your Readiness for a Career as a Petroleum Engineer in South Africa

The energy landscape in South Africa is evolving rapidly. With recent offshore discoveries and a renewed focus on energy security, the demand for skilled professionals is significant. Currently, there are 7 active jobs in the sector, with an average salary of R55,126pm. Market data from 2024 indicates a robust upward trend in remuneration; starting at approximately R48,511 in January, average monthly earnings have climbed steadily, reaching R60,639 by December. This growth reflects the high value placed on technical expertise in this high-stakes industry.

Is Petroleum Engineering Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before committing to this rigorous career path, evaluate your alignment with the following core traits and aptitudes required for success in the South African oil and gas sector:

Mathematical and Analytical Mastery: Do you have a natural affinity for complex calculations and data interpretation to solve real-world problems?
Resilience and Adaptability: Are you prepared to work in diverse environments, ranging from high-tech offices in Sandton to remote offshore rigs or exploration sites?
Safety-First Mindset: Do you possess a disciplined approach to following strict Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) protocols?
Environmental Stewardship: Are you committed to developing sustainable extraction methods and minimising ecological impact?
Collaborative Leadership: Can you work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including geologists, technicians, and legal experts?
Spatial Reasoning: Can you visualise complex underground structures and fluid movements from 2D and 3D data models?

A Day in the Life of a South African Petroleum Engineer

Your day typically begins with a briefing on production data and safety reports. In an office setting, perhaps in Cape Town or Johannesburg, you might spend your morning using advanced simulation software to model reservoir performance or design well-completion strategies. You are not just a "numbers person"; you are a strategist making decisions that involve millions of Rands in investment.

Field-based roles offer a different rhythm. You might find yourself on a supply vessel heading to an offshore platform near Mossel Bay or overseeing drilling operations on the West Coast. Here, the environment is fast-paced and requires quick, decisive action to troubleshoot mechanical failures or geological surprises. Whether you are optimising a maturing field or exploring a new frontier, your work is central to South Africa’s industrial pulse and energy independence.

Education, Upskilling, and Professional Growth

To enter this field, a solid foundational "programme" of study is non-negotiable. Most South African employers require a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or BSc in Chemical, Mechanical, or Mining Engineering, ideally with a postgraduate specialisation in Petroleum Engineering. Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) is the gold standard for career progression.

However, a degree is only the starting point. To remain competitive in a market where salaries are rising by over 20% annually, you must embrace continuous learning. Key areas for upskilling include:

Specialised Software Certifications: Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Petrel, Eclipse, or Kappa.
Project Management: Obtaining a PMP or PRINCE2 certification to manage large-scale infrastructure projects.
Data Science and AI: Understanding how machine learning can optimise drilling accuracy and reservoir management.

The most successful engineers are those who view their education as a lifelong journey rather than a destination. Staying abreast of global energy transitions and carbon capture technologies will ensure your skills remain relevant for decades to come.

Next Steps

Choosing a career in petroleum engineering is a commitment to high-level problem solving and national development. If you recognise yourself in the traits described above and are excited by the prospect of a high-growth, technically demanding career, it is time to validate your potential. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you have the technical aptitude and personality profile to thrive in South Africa’s petroleum sector.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

Bachelor's degree

72 %

Work Activities

Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Detailed Work Activities

Direct energy production or management activities.
Determine operational methods.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Develop technical methods or processes.
Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.

Work Interests

Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.