Studying Petroleum Engineering

Do oil wells fascinate you? Are you motivated to avoid environmental damage caused by oil spills and gas leaks? Then petroleum engineering could be just the course for you! And why not a degree in petroleum engineering from UK.

Petroleum engineering is the engineering disciple concerned with identification and extraction of oil and gas from petroleum reserves. The products obtained by refining petroleum—natural gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, paraffin are paramount to the running of modern industries and economy. They power our vehicles, generate electricity, go into production of plastics and have a role to play in healthcare, pharmaceutical and defence sectors. Without petroleum products the world will come to a standstill, both literally and figuratively.

However, existing oil and gas reserves are dwindling and the pace of finding new reserves is excruciatingly slow. Of those that are found, extracting crude oil and gas from them is proving to be technologically challenging. Because of these reasons, there is a huge demand for petroleum engineers all over the world and this reflects in the high salaries that qualified engineers command.

The UK is at the forefront of petroleum engineering teaching, learning and research. There are nearly 18 universities offering study programmes in the subject.

Some of the universities where you could study petroleum engineering are:

• Teesside University
• University of Portsmouth
• London South Bank University

Salary and Career Prospects

Petroleum engineers find work with oil and gas companies (BP, Shell and ExxonMobil) as Drilling Engineer, Production Engineer, Reservoir Engineer and Petroleum Geologist. Starting salaries are in the region of £25,000 to £35,000 (23 to 33 lakhs INR) per annum. With experience you progress to the roles of Senior Engineer or Senior Consultant, where you could earn up to £100,000 (90 lakhs INR) per year.

There is a severe shortage of suitably qualified petroleum engineers in both the UK and the world over. Contrary to thewidespread misconception, petroleum engineers don’t spend all their working hours offshore, on drilling rigs. They are predominantly based in offices onshore with occasional site visits, which are followed by paid time off work. Indeed a lucrative career in petroleum engineering from UK is awaiting you.

Why Study in UK?

The UK is a world-renowned seat of learning, teaching and research with 3 universities in top 10 and 7 in top 50 in THE World Rankings 2018.

The UK is the second largest producer of oil and gas in Europe and has reserves in North Sea, just off the coast of Scotland/northern England. The country also boasts close relations with and proximity to the oil-producing states of Gulf region.

UK government is investing heavily in major engineering projects like HS2, Cross rail (rail projects) and Hinkley Point (nuclear power plants).

It is possible for students to remain in the UK after finishing their studies, provided they meet prevailing visa regulations.