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Petroleum geologists locate and determine the size of crude oil deposits using geological principles and advanced technology. They conduct field research, evaluate rock samples, and use GPS and GIS to identify new reserves. A bachelor’s degree is required, and certification can improve job prospects. Demand for petroleum geologists is strong due to the need for new reserves and maximizing production.
A petroleum geologist uses his specialized knowledge of geological principles to determine the location and size of crude oil deposits. He or she can work for an oil or gas company, a government agency or as an independent contractor, exploring different sites and identifying oil reserves. A petroleum geologist can use advanced computer technology to survey a region so that he or she can inform other experts on how and where to drill.
Scientists often spend a lot of time conducting field research. A petroleum geologist can work alone or with a team of other professionals, exploring land and ocean seabeds in search of oil deposits. He or she will look for signs that oil may be present at a particular location, taking surface rock samples and drilling a small sample to collect subterranean sediments. Rock samples are evaluated using microscopes, geochemical analysis kits and other laboratory equipment to determine the presence of hydrocarbons and other minerals consistent with oil-rich areas.
Modern petroleum geologists often employ global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to help them identify and record the locations of new reserves. Using the information gathered by GIS and GPS devices, three-dimensional charting software, and physical samples, a petroleum geologist can determine the exact location of a crude oil deposit, the likely yield, and the depth to which companies should drill. Geologists generally consider the environment and ecosystems around a potential drill site and promote careful drilling practices to minimize pollution and disturbance to the land.
To become a petroleum geologist, a person typically must receive at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Some employers, especially government agencies, require new geologists to hold a master’s or doctoral degree. Additionally, a budding petroleum geologist may choose to take a certification exam to improve their credentials and increase their chances of finding employment. In the United States, the American Association of Professional Geologists (AAPG) offers certification. Many other countries have similar nationally recognized boards that award certification to petroleum geologists.
Demand for geologists specializing in petroleum is generally strong. Dwindling oil supplies around the world are creating new jobs for scientists to find new reserves and maximize production from known wells. Specialists are hired to carry out new expeditions in unexplored areas such as Antarctica and the deep ocean beds. Geologists are needed to better explore Canadian territories and regions of Alaska, where glaciers and expanses of tundra are likely to involve significant oil reserves.
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