Petroleum geologists identify and exploit hydrocarbon reservoirs, working for oil companies, governments, or private consulting firms. They survey potential oil sites, conduct tests, and use advanced computer programs to explore beneath the earth’s surface. They also create permanent wells and manage oil fields to get the maximum yield. To become a petroleum geologist, one studies geology in college, focusing on petroleum geology, and can pursue an advanced degree for more job opportunities.
A petroleum geologist is a scientist who specializes in identifying and exploiting hydrocarbon reservoirs. Global demand for various hydrocarbon products, from gas to run personal cars to plastics to package computers, is very high and as a result, petroleum geologists tend to be in high demand, especially if they have a proven track record in the field. These geology professionals can work for oil companies, governments, or private consulting firms, with salaries that vary widely, depending on where they work.
To become a petroleum geologist, someone studies geology in college, focusing on petroleum geology. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree can provide the student with a basic entry into the field, or he or she can pursue an advanced degree that comes with more training and more job opportunities upon graduation. Students also study topics such as chemical engineering, geochemistry, and geophysics, as these skills will be needed to evaluate potential oil fields.
Petroleum geologists are hired to survey potential oil sites, conducting a variety of tests to learn about the topography of the area and what may lie underneath. These tests include assessments of the type of rock present and whether or not there are pockets of oil and gas trapped underground. Many people who work in this position rely on advanced computer programs that can interface with underground imagers, seismometers, and other instruments that can be used to explore beneath the earth’s surface without actually cutting into it. If a petroleum geologist determines that a site is likely rich in oil, she can begin to determine where a drill should be located.
In the process of oil exploration, several test wells may be dug to create a mud log, a graph that graphically represents the various rock and sediment types found in test wells. Mud logs can be useful for petroleum geologists who want to know the extent of potential oil deposits, in order to decide whether a site is worth continuing exploration and development. These scientists are also involved in the process of creating permanent wells and managing an oil field to get the maximum possible yield.
In addition to working with underground oil fields, petroleum geologists may also work with oil shale and other types of oil fields. As global demand for oil is steadily increasing, a good petroleum geologist stays several steps ahead of the field, providing oil companies with new avenues of potential exploration before supplies at existing sites dwindle. It is also common for him or her to belong to a professional organization, to track progress in the field and gain access to networking possibilities.
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