Enviro & Petroleum Engineer

Enviro & Petroleum Engineer

Oil Comp Engr

38 Years Experience

Houston, TX

Female, 60

I recently retired from a major integrated oil company after 38 years. I have degrees in Civil and Petroleum Engineering. I worked with safety, health and environmental management systems and operations in the upstream (finding and producing oil and gas) and downstream (refining, chemicals and distributions) areas. I travelled all over world, enduring good & bad business cycles and good and bad managers.

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Last Answer on December 12, 2020

Best Rated

I do not like the traditional Monday to Friday schedule. I am interested in 7 days of work with 7 days off or 4 and 3 or 14 and 14. Would I have to work offshore for this or is this possible on-shore or in an office setting as well?

Asked by M.E. almost 11 years ago

I am not aware of any office jobs that allow this type of work except for folks I know who work in some hard to staff locations in the Mid East and Africa.  Those folks work 28 days on and 28 days off.

Good day... I am harmony from Nigeria and would be graduating as an industrial chemist by November 2014 (bsc 2.2). I have on my list either to advance with a pgdip in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering or environmental engineering to M.Eng. It is my utmost wish to work in an oil and gas company but they all require for a minimum of 3-5yrs experience and even majority of them require a bsc of 2.1 which I don't fall in that's why I opted for a pgdip to advance my degree. My question is, what are my chances of getting a job at an oil and gas firm with my proposed qualification even at entry level?. My email "harrisonjnrehimwenma@gmail.com". Your reply is highly anticipated. Thanks.

Asked by harmony almost 11 years ago

I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with the educational system in Nigeria.  I don't know what a "bsc 2.2" is.  Ithink you need to seek out some folks at oil companies in Nigeria and talk to them directly.

I live in Northern La and I was wondering if I worked as a Protroleum Engineer in Houstan, how long do I have to be away from my home? Away from my wife and kids. And how does it affect my yearly pay? Thanks

Asked by TJ almost 11 years ago

If you are working at a job in an office as a petroleum (not protroleum) engineer in Houston, you would likely work 5 days a week or possibly have every other Friday off.  If you get a position as a rotator to the US Gulf of Mexico, you might be working 14 days on and 14 days off.  If you get a position as a rotator to a foreign country, you might be working 28 days on and 28 days off. I can't tell you how this would affect your annual pay as every company has their own set of pay guidelines. 

Thanks much for the previous Answer! Reservoir engineering was what I was thinking. I may have to stay close to home for school and attend University of Illinois for Mechanical engineering. Will I be at much a disadvantage if I don't have a PE degree

Asked by Gary over 10 years ago

You will be at a bit of a disadvantage but, that said, the demand for petroleum engineers usually exceeds the supply and so mid size and large companies are prepared to provide some training. You can increase your odds by taking a geology course or two and taking some online or self study training. In the long run, I thimk you are better off with a broad degree like mechanical because it allows you to change industries. Have you checked the price of oil lately? It is down quite a bit and there are lits is stories in the news about how the upstream sector is cutting budgets and reducing hiring.

I'm interested in going into this field when I graduate from high school. I'm doing a project for a class and need to interview a petroleum engineer. Is there anyway I can do this with you?

Asked by ahstudent over 10 years ago

If you want to send me your email address, I'd be happy to email you my contact information so we can arrange an interview.

It may sound crazy but I'm 50 and considering returning to school for engineering. Just not sure if PE, CE or ME is the most flexible/marketable/desirable for the upstream O&G industry. Want rotational work overseas.

Asked by Edward over 10 years ago

Your best bet is probably PE if you are sure you want to work in the oil industry. The risk is that jobs may or may not be there when you graduate. The price oil has currently fallen below $80/bbl and the market is starting to tighten up. If you are willing to rotate and go places that are not the garden spots of the world AND if you graduate with a strong GPA, then you have a decent shot at finding a job.

Thank you very much for your last response. What types of calculations am I expected to do as an entry level Petroleum Engineer?

Asked by MEslu almost 11 years ago

That's a pretty broad quesiton.  It depends on what speciality you will practice (reservoir, drilling, facility design, etc.).  I can tell  you that you will be expected to have mastered everything your professors have taught you.