Where to work
Large-scale oil exploration and production firms managing sites in Canada (usually Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia) and overseas
Small-scale, independent oil exploration, production, and oilfield services firms
Engineering consulting firms
Government agencies
Self-employment as an independent consultant
Financial institutions providing loans for oil and gas properties
Education & requirements
In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as a petroleum engineer is a university undergraduate degree. The following post secondary programs are most applicable for a career in this field:
Petroleum engineering
Chemical engineering
Civil engineering
Geological engineering
You will need to work for two or three years as an engineer-in-training (EIT) and then write a professional practice exam. A post graduate degree, master’s degree, or Ph. D may be required and can improve your employment prospects and salary. To practice as a professional engineer, you must be licensed with provincial or territorial engineering association. If you are a high school student considering a career as a petroleum engineer you should have a strong interest in:
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
Computer science