Enviro & Petroleum Engineer

What does a rotator do? And would that be 14 days at the gulf and 14 days at my home in Louisiana?

Asked by TJ almost 10 years ago

A rotator just means someone who works a certain number of days (14 or 28 for example) and then has the same number of days off.  Rotators usually work 12 hours per day every day of their shift.  There are a variety of rotator jobs on drilling rigs and production platforms.  Most of the workers do not have an engineering degree but a handful might such as the drilling rig superintendent, the subsea equipment engineer, the wireline logging engineer, the production platform superintendent and so on.  You need  to do some research on the websites of various energy companies (Shell, Chevron, Anadarko, etc.) as well as the various service companies (Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, etc.) to see what kinds of positions they are hiring and what the rotation schedules are.  Also be aware that the unconventional (oil shale) plays are booming in south Texas and up in North Dakota.  Some of those workers also work a rotational schedule. 

Even if one only has a little knowledge in chemistry and wants to study petroleum engineering, would universities offer specific chemistry courses in what one lacks?

Asked by Yolo almost 10 years ago

Yes.  See the previous two postings

going for MS Mech or Petro; online people claim a MechE can get to same position as PetroE based on internships. I want to work reservoir; I like MechE b/c it is broad. Based on your experience, what do you think, are there disadv/adv of ME vs PE?

Asked by bbbryan over 10 years ago

here's the bottom line, if you have stellar grades and can get hired on with a major oil company and/or can do several internships with a major oil company doing reservoir work, then go for the ME since you enjoy that more.  The major oil companies will give you the training to be a reservoir engineer that you would have gotten in the PE degree.  If your grades are average, then go for the PE degree because you are more likely to end up at a small independent oil company that us not going to have an extensive training program in reservoir engineering.

U S citizen with a Bachelors in ME and work in production planning in South America in a team of four to prioritize and provide control for assembly line production. I am the only English speaking employee. Would this work experience be appealing?

Asked by MEslu over 9 years ago

I assume you mean "appealing to a potential employer ".  Yes, it would.

I am a recent Petroleum Engineering graduate and I would like to know if a Non USA citizen like me can get a job in USA?

Asked by Hi! about 9 years ago

I think it will be very difficult to get a job unless you can get a company to sponsor you for a green card or for citizenship. Typically, you need to possess a unique skill that is in high demand and short supply. Due to steep drop in oil prices for the past 6 months, the demand for petroleum engineers is down and there is an oversupply,

Is it possible to have an office setting(how long after graduation) or one just has to stay at the rig?

Asked by Patrick about 10 years ago

It all depends on your particular job.  A rig superintendent spends most of their time at the rig.  A drilling enigineer might spend up to 50% of their time at the rig, especially early in their career.  A reservoir engineer goes to the fiel / rig fairly rarely.  Maybe a few times per year oe maybe never if the location is remote or if they are working on a prospect that might not get developed for 5 years.

I am a single 38yo dad of a 12yo daughter. I am considering moving from IL to TX to attend Schl for PE. Is PE conducive to being there for my daughter? I'm all she has until I marry. Is there a specific job I could do with little/ no travel? Thanks

Asked by Gary over 9 years ago