BTech Petroleum Engineering: What is it About?
Basically, during the BTech Petroleum Engineering course, learns the innovative process of extraction such as mining, drilling, etc. In simple words, a petroleum engineer is recruited by oil or gas companies to implement the efficient methodology for extracting petroleum products from the earth and seafloor.
There are two major specializations under the discipline of petroleum engineering:
- Petroleum Upstream Engineering – This is a preliminary field concentrating on fundamentals of exploration and production of oil and gas.
- Petroleum Downstream Engineering – This other type of specialization deals with the practical aspects of processing techniques of petroleum refinery and natural gas, including the production phase, cost estimating and budgeting.
Other than these above major specializations, there are three sub-branches of petroleum engineering:
- Reservoir Engineering involves the assessment of oil and gas deposits, preferably focusing on the estimation part of the reservoirs. It includes surveillance engineers, production engineers, simulation engineers and geothermal engineers
- Drilling Engineering deals with the process of drilling the well to extract gas or oil considering the cost factor and environment safety. Drilling engineers either work in an office or on offshore sites.
- Production Engineering is the designing and selecting of the equipment to be used for the extraction purpose of oil and gas.
Why Opt for BTech Petroleum Engineering?
The rapid increase in demand for oil all over the world and scarcity of the oil wells especially in developing countries has led to the surge pricing of oil. High oil prices mean an increase in exploration and production of oil, hence, a greater demand for experienced petroleum engineers. The advantages of this course are given below:
1.Travel
Travelling is one of the perks for the petroleum engineers, since they have to be on site or offshore for either drilling or mining process. They get to explore the remote locations in India and abroad.
2.Engaging Work
Even though petroleum engineers have a challenging job, the work involves high intellect and skills to pan out an ideal plan for the extraction process and dealing with numbers. One has to work in laboratories with advanced equipment most of the time to extract best results.
3.Excellent Pay
Petroleum engineers enjoy great benefits with excellent pay and an above average package than a basic engineer. Typically, the starting salary for a petroleum engineer lies within the range of INR 25,000 to INR 40,000 on a monthly basis. The package increases with years of experience and education. Along with that, they are rewarded with paid time off, numerous retirement plans, great health insurance packages since they work at mines and dangerous sites.
What is the BTech Petroleum Engineering Minimum Eligible Criteria?
In order to take admission in B. Tech Petroleum Engineering, students need to secure minimum of 60 percent marks at Higher and Secondary level (10th & 12th) from a recognized educational board (CBSE or State board) plus minimum 60% in aggregate (55% for SC/ST) in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as core subjects at Senior Secondary level (12th).
Future scope for B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering:
1. Job Opportunities in Oil and Gas Industry
- Upstream Sector: Jobs in exploration, drilling, and production of oil and natural gas.
- Midstream Sector: Opportunities in transportation, storage, and marketing of oil and gas.
- Downstream Sector: Refining, processing, and distribution of petroleum products.
2. Research and Development
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Working on innovative technologies to increase oil extraction efficiency.
- Sustainable Energy Solutions: Developing cleaner and alternative energy methods like biofuels or hydrogen from hydrocarbons.
3. Global Opportunities
- Major oil-producing countries like the USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Canada, and Russia offer excellent career prospects for petroleum engineers.
- Offshore and onshore drilling operations provide numerous opportunities worldwide.
4. Higher Studies and Specialization
- M.Tech or MS in Petroleum Engineering: For roles in academia, advanced R&D, or specialized sectors like reservoir engineering or petrochemical technology.
- MBA: To move into managerial roles within oil and gas companies.
5. Alternative Energy Sector
- Transition to Renewable Energy: With the energy sector shifting towards renewable resources, petroleum engineers can work on projects related to geothermal energy, natural gas, or carbon capture technologies.
6. Consultancy and Advisory Roles
- Petroleum engineers with experience can offer consultancy services to oil and gas companies, advising on extraction methods, operational efficiencies, or environmental sustainability.
7. Government and Regulatory Bodies
- Regulatory agencies and government bodies require petroleum engineers to manage natural resources and enforce environmental and safety standards.
