How to make a career in the Oil and Gas Industry- Complete guide

Shricareer
Thu, 07/28/2022 - 14:11

The oil and gas industry is one of the world's most rapidly expanding and lucrative industries. This industry plays a vital role in influencing world decisions within countries and also helps in shaping the economy of countries. Hence as a core sector, every year there is a lot of demand for professionals and technicians to work in this industry and make sure this industry remains viable for many years.

Why choose the oil and gas industry?

The oil and gas sector is a massive contributor to world GDP, accounting for 2.2% of the total for 2016, according to International Energy Agency. So, this industry offers many enticing benefits for the students planning to make a career in the oil and gas industry.

The salary range of this sector is typically higher than average because of several factors such as the educational background required. Incentives like lucrative financial bonuses will also come into play, which will make the remote working job roles more attractive to the workers. Salaries of the individuals vary depending upon their experience levels and role-specific skills. Those who are working in senior or more skilled positions can command significantly higher pay.

Technology is an indispensable part of this industry. As you progress in your career, you will have opportunities to be trained with advanced equipment. Make sure that your skills are kept up to speed and this will contribute greatly to your career trajectory.

Due to the global demand for these resources, the oil and gas industry requires a lot of traveling. This profession can give you real geographic versatility – especially if you work off-shore!

Oil and gas occupations require a constant rate of learning. You can anticipate professional growth alongside working as this industry is continually evolving and technological and operational advancements are common.

Specialized skills like petroleum economics, oil and gas exploration management, refinery management, and operations material management can be developed in this industry. Along with that, you can also improve your management, communication, and analytical skills.

Making a career in the oil and gas industry?

A career in the energy sector has the potential to be very rewarding on both a personal and professional level. It is expanding rapidly due to ongoing innovations so you should keep an eye on the most recent trends that are emerging.

Because of the industry’s enormous size, there are many specialties to choose from. Make sure you thoroughly do your research on the positions available, the ones that most interest you, and the skill and requirements required to get hired for each one.

Many businesses host networking events, which are excellent opportunities for recent graduates and students to network with industry experts and make contacts they can utilize to advance their careers.

Oil & Gas Courses: Entrance Exams and Eligibility

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

Eligibility: Driller / Drilling Engineer/Fluid Engineer

ONGC is one of the best oil and gas training course providers in India. Institute of Drilling Technology (IDT), a wing of ONGC, provides a chance to learn numerous well-control techniques using carefully designed oil and gas training courses. It also offers a lot of other courses like rig courses, well courses, well control courses, rig crew courses, oil rig courses, and many more which are crucial for providing the students with the best skills that are required for various phases of extraction and feasibility studies.

NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety

Eligibility – No specific eligibility

The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Oil and Gas Certificate is a kind of certification that is intended only for the specialist with safety responsibilities in the oil and gas process industry. Mostly the corporate professionals related to leading petroleum companies give preference to NEBOSH Oil and Gas in Chennai.

Top B.tech colleges

Top M.tech Colleges

Top MBA colleges

Top colleges to study Petroleum Engineering abroad

The oil and gas industry plays a vital role in contributing to the world’s economy. There are ample amount of employment options for petroleum engineering graduates. Hence studying abroad is your chance of landing a high-paying job in a leading petroleum engineering company. Below mentioned are some of the best countries and universities to study petroleum engineering abroad.

1. USA

The United States has some of the best and most prestigious universities in the world. Universities in the U.S. provides academic flexibility and ways to customize your study experience with optional studies and extracurricular activities. Their aim is to prepare students for successful careers and major contributions to the natural gas, petroleum, and chemical process industries by educating them with fundamental concepts as well as practical knowledge of advanced engineering to tackle the current as well as future challenges of the industries.

The best universities in the USA are:

• University of Texas
• Texas A&M University
• Stanford University
• University of Tulsa
• Pennsylvania State University

2. UK

Universities in the UK have a global reputation for excellence. Their focus is on educating their students on prevailing concepts of the oil industry and preparing them to work in multidisciplinary teams. they will equip you with the skills required to get ahead in an industry that is constantly evolving. Students can easily find full-time employment within 6 months of graduating from UK universities.

The best Colleges in the UK are:

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Birmingham
• Heriot-Watt University
• Imperial College London
• University of Strathclyde
• Heriot-Watt University

3. China

China is one of the best countries to study petroleum engineering. Universities in China have the best programs and offer high-quality education, having state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructures, and producing knowledgeable and skilled graduates who eventually become highly competent professionals in the field. They have low tuition and cost of living; a high employment rate and their degrees are recognized internationally.

The best colleges in China are:

• Southwest Petroleum University

• China University of Geosciences
• Tsinghua University
• China University of Mining and Technology
• China University of Petroleum

4. Canada

Canada is among the top suppliers of petroleum in the international market and hence has a constantly growing petroleum industry. It is an excellent place for students to study as it has a safe and warm environment, advanced technology, and numerous employment opportunities for international students. Canada has the most advanced technologies and utilizes them to safely and economically extract oil and gas products.

Best colleges in Canada:

• University of Waterloo
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Calgary
• University of Regina

5. Saudi Arabia

One of the booming petroleum industries and also the top oil-producing country is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also constitutes around 15% of the world’s petroleum reserves. Also, the government of Saudi Arabia has also increased its efforts and funding for the enhancement of the country’s education system. Universities in Saudi Arabia provide high-quality education, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, availability of advanced facilities, and numerous employment opportunities. They also provide scholarships which make it an attractive study abroad destination for the international student community.

Best colleges in Saudi Arabia:

• King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• King Abdulaziz University
• King Saud University

6. Norway

Norway is also one of the leading exporters of oil and gas in Europe and the petroleum industry is a major driver of the country’s economy. Universities in Norway provide the safest environment to study, have some top-ranked universities, and numerous lucrative employment opportunities. Norwegian universities provide strong foundational knowledge and essential skills that are required in the industry. They consider all the present challenges in this industry and come up with efficient and environment-friendly solutions.

Best colleges in Norway

• University of Oslo
• University of Stavanger
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Norwegian University of Life Sciences
• University of Bergen

7. Iran

Iran is considered among the vastest oil and gas reserves in the Middle East and hence the production and import of oil and gas mainly contribute to the country’s economic growth. This also brings a lot of employment opportunities and high-paying jobs. Several renowned colleges/universities in Iran are considered among the best petroleum engineering degrees in Asia.

Best universities in Iran:

• Sharif University of Technology
• University of Tehran
• Amirkabir University of Technology
• Petroleum University of Technology
• Islamic Azad University

Top 4 degrees that the companies look for.

Petroleum Engineering

A petroleum engineering major is frequently the first choice for prospective students who are thinking about obtaining degrees that will help them propel themselves into the oil and gas industry.

To understand the geological rock formations that contain oil and gas, many petroleum engineers work along with geoscientists and other engineers. They are specialists in creating drilling plans, operations, methods, and equipment. Students who are aspiring to be petroleum engineers should have high proficiency in math, such as algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, and other subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics

Petroleum Geology

A petroleum geologist’s work is to determine where to drill for oil by studying the structure of rocks and minerals located beneath the surface of the Earth. This course has gained more attention recently.

Chemical Engineering

The oil business is divided into downstream and upstream components, which the Upstream includes exploration and production works, whereas the downstream requires chemical engineers to analyze chemical processes occurring at the end of the cycle where the oil is refined.

Oil refining is often considered the dirty pedestrian side of the oil business. Yet the chemical engineers are well paid as compared to the petroleum engineers and geologists

Mechanical Engineering

The mechanical engineering component of the oil and gas industry frequently focuses on the design and execution of huge projects. This could involve building refineries, pipelines, and offshore oil platforms.

Knowledge of fluid dynamics, thermal technology, 3-D modeling, and complex construction methodologies are some of the skills that you will need to master. Their work is often in the field in various locales.

Scope in the Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry has a lot of opportunities for oil and gas professionals all over the world. You can get jobs in this industry through entry-level or technical positions. After completing the degree in the oil and gas industry, you can get lucrative jobs easily in India as well as abroad.

Pursuing an oil and gas management course will be the most lucrative one. One can easily find jobs in various areas like Oil and Gas Refineries, Waste Management Companies, Energy Product Manufacturers, Oil Well Sites, Paints, and Dyes Companies, Oil and Gas Consultancies, and many others.

Job Profiles

There are several job profiles for qualified candidates. Below mentioned are some of the top job profiles offered to candidates holding degrees or diplomas in Oil & Gas:

• Energy Consultant
• Lab Supervisor
• Assistant Manager
• Field Material Coordinator
• Business Development Representative
• Maintenance Manager
• Oil Field Sales
• Business Analyst
• Educationist

Recruiters

Top recruiting companies that hire competent candidates in India include:

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited
• Essar Oil
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• Cairn India
• Bharat Petroleum
• Gas Authority of India (GAIL)
• Oil India
• Reliance Petroleum Ltd
• Hindustan Petroleum
• TATA Petrodyne Ltd

Top recruiting companies that hire competent candidates abroad include:

• Natural Resources International Ltd.
• Spencer Ogden
• Applus Velosi – Saudi Arabia
• Sofomation Dubai & Mumbai
• NES Global UK
• Fircroft Worldwide
• Randstad MENA
• Piper Maddox
• Robert Walters Spain
• MPH Consulting Services
• Global Engineering Recruitment Ltd

Salary

The salary range varies from one job role to another. Also, it depends on a worker’s experience level, qualifications, and competence. BTech graduates in Petroleum Engineering can earn an average of Rs 4.2 lakh per annum, a BBA graduate earns an average of Rs 3 lakh per annum, whereas an MBA graduate earns an average of Rs 5.5 lakh per annum. These were some of the salary ranges in India.