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Course Details

DEGREE COURSES - PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Degree Course Type 

Bachelors, Masters

Entry Level Qualification 

Class 10+2

Degree Course Duration 

2 Year, 4 Year

Course Fields 

Engineering

Degree Course Entrance Exam 

GATE

Average Course Fee 

55000 - 250000 Per Year

Average Salary Offered 

250000 - 400000 Per Year

Course Highlights 

Petroleum engineering is a career path for those who want to work in a scientific subject.  If you want to be a petroleum engineer, it's critical that you understand the career path to becoming a petroleum engineer.

Go through the details about the petroleum engineering course highlighted below:


Particular

Details

Profession 

Petroleum Engineering 

Eligibility Criteria

Passed class 12th from science stream

Entrance exam

JEE Main, JEE Advanced, UPES DAT, WBJEE, MHT CET, etc

Specialization 

Drilling Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysical Engineering, Production and Surface Engineering



Top colleges in India

IIT Madras

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun

IIT Bombay

IIT Dhanbad



Top colleges in abroad 

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Stanford University, United States

University of Alberta, Canada.

Fees In India

INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA

Required skills

Problem-solving, analytical, creativity, interpersonal, time management, coordination

Jobs

Petroleum Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Production Engineer

Salary (Approx Estimate)

INR 4,50,000 to INR 15,00, 000 LPA 

About Course 

This engineering specialization is concerned with the advancement and exploration of the oil and gas extraction process. Petroleum Engineering is a step up from Mining Engineering and Geology, and it is related to Geoscience. Admission to petroleum engineering courses is done via entrance exams. However, many colleges and universities also offer direct admission. Candidates can pursue a diploma course after completing class 10 and a bachelor’s degree after class 12. Entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, UPES DAT, MHT CET, WBJEE, BITSAT, VITEEE, etc. are conducted to grant admission to this course. 

This course is available in online as well as offline mode. Candidates can find employment in the oil and gas industry. The petroleum engineering job options include petroleum engineer, reservoir engineer, drilling engineer, production engineer, etc. Some of the top petroleum engineering colleges where candidates can pursue this course are IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Gwalior, Anna University, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, etc. The course fees for the B.Tech program are INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA.

Why Choose Course And Required Skills 

If you are passionate about natural resources such as gas and oil and want to learn how they are utilized, then petroleum engineering is the profession for you. These substances can be found in reservoirs beneath. When a reservoir is located, petroleum engineers work with scientists to visualize and comprehend the reservoir's structure as well as the surrounding geology in order to determine the best drilling method and processes. 

Petroleum engineers are primarily responsible for improving techniques for extracting oil and gas from the Earth's crust, and if you are deeply concerned about the environment and want to inspire change and provide energy to the world while also protecting the environment for future generations, this is the domain for you.

Why Pursue Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering is a prospective engineering specialization with numerous career benefits and advantages. If you are planning to pursue petroleum engineering you will get the following benefits in this domain. 

High Salary

Petroleum engineers benefit from a high salary and a better package than a basic engineer as it is an unconventional engineering domain. A petroleum engineer's starting salary on average is INR 4.5 LPA. The salary grows with experience and education. And after getting relevant experience the salary can hike up from INR 10 LPA to INR 44 LPA.  

Extra Allowances

Petroleum engineers are also compensated with paid time off, many retirement schemes, and excellent health insurance packages because they work in mines and risky environments

Opportunity to make a Difference in the World

Petroleum engineers make the drilling process safer for people, communities, animals, and the environment. They also make it more efficient and the pricing cheaper for clients. They oversee adherence to best practices, industry standards, and environmental and safety requirements, as well as contribute to energy independence

Never Ending Opportunities

Petroleum is required not only for fuel and heat, but also as a raw ingredient in the manufacturing of plastics, rubber, detergents, pharmaceutical medications, textiles, cosmetics, fragrances, paints, and other products. 

The globe will always require energy. Petroleum engineers identify, extract, and maintain the world's oil and gas supplies. Therefore, there will always be skilled personnel required in the petroleum engineering domain. 

The important skills that petroleum engineers must hold are:

1. Critical thinking

2. Listening

3. Judgment and decision-making

4. Monitoring

5.Time management

6. Coordination

7. Negotiation

8. Quality control analysis

Eligibility  

Before applying for this course, candidates should make sure they have met the eligibility criteria requirements. Check the level-wise petroleum engineering eligibility criteria given below. 

Diploma Level

A minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the Class 10 board examination is required for admission to the diploma course in petroleum engineering. The requisite percentage of marks is reduced for applicants from the SC/ST/PWD categories.

Bachelor’s Level

The minimum eligibility for undergraduate programmes at government colleges is 75% in Class 12 with the disciplines of Math, Physics, and Chemistry. 

Master’s Level 

The minimal entrance criteria for the postgraduate (M.Tech) petroleum engineering course(s) are listed below. An undergraduate B.E. or B.A Tech degree in Petroleum Engineering with a minimum of first-class (60%) marks or 6.0 (out of 10.0) Grade Point Average (GPA) from an AICTE-recognized institution or Parliamentary Act-authorized central or state university is required.

Entrance Exams Details 

There are various engineering entrance exams conducted to provide admission to this course. Individuals must pass college-based entrance examinations to be admitted to petroleum engineering diploma programs.

Check some of the major petroleum engineering entrance exams and their details are given below: 
​​​​​​​

1. JEE Main

2. JEE Advanced

3. UPES DAT

4. BITSAT

5. VITEEE

6. WBJEE

7. TS POLYCET

8. Assam CEE

9. COMEDK 

10. GATE

Degree Course Syllabus 

​​​​​​​B.Tech Petroleum Engineering Syllabus Year 1

Semester 1

Semester 2

Introduction to Computing

Introduction to Data Structure and Algorithm

Physics

Chemistry

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering Thermodynamics

Mathematics I

Mathematics II

Basic Electrical Engineering

Basic Electronics Engineering

Engineering Drawing 

Workshop Lab

Physics Lab

Chemistry Lab

Humanities and Social Sciences - Business Communication I

Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) - Business Communication II


B.Tech Petroleum Engineering Syllabus Year 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Methods of Applied Mathematics I

Numerical and Statistical Methods

Geology for Petroleum Engineers

Petroleum Production Operations I

Humanities and Social Science (HSS) elective 

Surveying Theory

Mechanical Engineering I

Mechanical Engineering II

Drilling Technology

Managerial Economics

Drilling Fluids and Cement 

Elements of reservoir Engineering

Petroleum Engineering Practical I

Petroleum Engineering Practical II

Geology for Petroleum Engineers Practical Lab

Surveying Practical Lab


B.Tech Petroleum Engineering Syllabus Year 3

Semester 5

Semester 6

Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology Practical

Composite Viva Voce

Petroleum Production Operations II

Petroleum Formation Evaluation

Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology

Advanced Numerical Methods

Applied Petroleum Resource Engineering and Management

Directional Drilling

Petroleum Engineering Practical III

Petroleum Engineering Practical IV

Methods of Applied Mathematics II

Applied Electrical Engineering

Project and Term Paper

Project and Term Paper


B.Tech Petroleum Engineering Syllabus Year 4

Semester 7

Semester 8

Petroleum Engineering Projects

Petroleum Engineering Projects and Seminars

Offshore Drilling and Petroleum Production Practices

Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques

Oil and Gas Well Testing

Petroleum Engineering Design 

Health Safety and Environment in Petroleum Practices

Reservoir Modelling and Simulation

Well Performance and Intervention

Advanced Offshore Engineering 

Industrial Engineering and Management

Oil and Gas Marketing and Resource Management

Health Safety and Environment 

Pipeline Engineering

Drilling System Design


Top Colleges 

In India, there are around 80 Petroleum Engineering Colleges which includes both private and government. To gain admission to these top colleges candidates have to qualify for the entrance exam.

Go through some of the top petroleum engineering colleges in India below:


College Name

IIT Bombay, Maharashtra 

IIT, Madras

Chandigarh University, Punjab

Presidency University, Bangalore

IIT Dhanbad

IIT Kharagpur

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, School of Engineering, Uttarakhand

Manipal University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Anna University 

MIT WPU Faculty of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra

MBM University, Rajasthan

Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem, Andhra Pradesh

NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University College of Engineering, Andhra Pradesh

Vel's Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Tamil Nadu

Graphic Era University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

IIT Guwahati, Assam

Alagappa College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu


Studying Petroleum Engineering Abroad

Studying abroad is an excellent approach to demonstrate to potential employers your capacity to collaborate with individuals from diverse cultures. The distribution of petroleum reserves is across the world, therefore there are employment opportunities in foreign countries. 

Pursuing this course from abroad will well acquaint you with an excellent education as per international standards. Along with that, you will get hands-on experience via field trips, workshops, and case studies conducted at international colleges. Check the petroleum engineering scope abroad given below. 

USA

The degrees earned from American colleges, which are home to some of the greatest in the world, are respected all around the globe. Due to its high-quality education provided by highly regarded colleges, its diversified population, and the lifestyle that each and every foreign student may experience, the USA has long been a favorite study-abroad destination.

Australia

It is the perfect place for students who wish to study Petroleum Engineering. The emphasis on research is one of Australia's most alluring features for foreign students. Australian resources and outstanding technologies are available to students there. 

UK

The UK boasts a strong academic tradition and top-notch training and research resources. Additionally, career prospects are high, particularly for STEM grads. The UK's digital industry has expanded significantly in recent years and has made a considerable economic contribution. 

Turkey

Students who want to study in Turkey may have a beautiful and interesting experience by having the chance to learn about old traditions, hospitable Turkish culture, and historical monuments. Turkey has over 200 universities, the majority of which are still relatively new.

Popular Petroleum Engineering Colleges Abroad

Due to the demands of petroleum engineers in many countries, many top colleges abroad offer this course at the bachelor’s and master's levels. If a candidate can afford to study abroad it will open various career opportunities in the future as international degrees are respected across the globe.

Check the list of some of the best petroleum engineering colleges abroad:


University

Country

Department Petroleum Engineering at Montanuniversität Leoben

Austria

University of Aberdeen

UK

McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering - University of Tulsa

US

Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at The University of Texas - Austin

US

John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering - Pennsylvania State University

US

IFP (Institut Français du Pétrole)

France

Petroleum Engineering Department at the Colorado School of Mines

US

Delft University of Technology

Netherlands

Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino)

Italy

Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering - Texas A&M University

US

Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering at the University of Oklahoma

US

Robert Gordon University (RGU)

UK

Department of Petroleum Engineering, the University of Louisiana - Lafayette

US

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Norway

Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University

US

Xi'an Shiyou University Petroleum Engineering

China

Department of Energy Resources Engineering at the Stanford University

US

China University of Petroleum

China

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Denmark

Missouri University of Science and Technology

US

Imperial College

UK

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University

US

Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU)

US

Heriot-Watt Institute of Petroleum Engineering

UK

Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California

US

The University of the Stavanger

Norway

Technical University of Crete

Greece

Teesside University

UK

School of Chemical and Process Engineering, the University of Leeds

UK

Liaoning Shihua University (LSHU)

China

Course Fees 

The fees for Petroleum Engineering vary from college to college. If you are availing of any scholarship available the fee can be reduced. 
​​​​​​​

Program

Fees (Approx Estimate)

Diploma Fees

INR 45,000 LPA to INR 1,50,000 LPA

BTech Fees

INR 50,000 LPA to INR 15,00,000 LPA.

MTech Fees

INR 1,00,000 LPA to INR 3,00,000 LPA

Ph.D. Fees

INR 50,000 LPA to INR 2,00,000 LPA

Top Recruiters And Salary 

A petroleum engineer's salary in India for freshers is around INR 4.5 LPA to INR 15 LPA which can hike up to INR 15 LPA to INR 40 LPA once candidates get relevant experience in the field. The salary also depends on the type of organization, candidates' qualifications, and skills.

Check the petroleum engineering salary in India for various job profiles given below:


Job Profile 

Salary (Approx. Estimate)

Grade ‘B’ Engineers

INR 3.5 LPA

Research Associate

INR 3.8 LPA

Petroleum Engineer

INR 4.8 LPA

Graduate Engineer Trainee

INR 3.5 LPA

Class –I Executive

INR 4.44 LPA

Executive Trainee

INR 3.5 LPA

Research Engineer 

INR 6 LPA

Junior Engineer

INR 2.8 LPA


Petroleum Engineering Recruiters 

One of the best-paid engineering programs in the world is petroleum engineering. There are two options for graduates in petroleum engineering in both governmental and private enterprises, etc.

The top companies that hire petroleum engineers are-

1. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)    

2. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

3. Oil India Limited (OIL)

4. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

5. Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC)

6. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)    

7. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)       

8. Halliburton

9. Shell

10. Schlumberger

11. Reliance Industries Ltd ( Reliance Energy)

Course Scope And Career Options 

Career Options

Job Profile 

Drilling Engineer 

They work on oil and gas rigs on activities such as well design, drilling mud selection, and drilling process operation. They normally work in a multidisciplinary team to ensure that drilling operations are safe, ecologically sustainable, and cost-effective.

Reservoir Engineer

They research reservoir features to decide which procedures will extract the most oil or gas. They collaborate with petroleum geologists, geophysicists, and other types of engineers (drilling engineers and production engineers) to develop short- and long-term strategies for capitalizing on the value of exploration and production properties.

Production Engineer 

They are working to extract oil and gas from subterranean resources.

Well Testing Engineer

This function entails interpreting different data such as wellbore pressure, production rates, saline percentages, and so on, which serves as a valuable reference for engineers.

Drilling fluid engineers

Drilling fluid engineers are in charge of keeping drilling fluids at well sites in good condition.

Completions engineers:

The completions engineer prepares the wellbore for production once it has been drilled. He or she creates and installs well-completion technologies to increase oil and gas output.

Wireline and LWD engineers

Engineers who run wireline logs to study the petrophysical characteristics of subsurface rocks are known as wireline and LWD engineers.

Data scientists

Data scientists use modern digital technologies to interpret subsurface drilling, production, and reservoir data.

Admission Process 

Admission to this course is mainly done based on entrance examinations conducted at the state or national level. Many colleges offer direct admission also on the basis of Class 12th merits.

Check the important details of the petroleum engineering admission process given below:

1. To gain admission to petroleum engineering courses via entrance exam candidates have to prepare for the exam and score a rank in it. 

2. And to take direct admission candidates have to visit the university's official website and fill out the application form.