The oil industry is today one of the largest and most important in the United States and other countries. And the workforce is moving to highly skilled specialists due to the advancement of technology. That is why it is necessary you choose to study petroleum engineering especially in one of the best schools in California.
One of the most exciting professions in the world now is petroleum engineering. Which offers a multitude of different workplaces, such as drilling rigs in the Atlantic, isolated deserts in the deep jungle. Hence, you can advance your career by studying in one of the best petroleum engineering schools in California.
The truth remains that energy plays a key role in our daily lives: from our smartphones to our cars and our homes, it raises our standard of living. Knowledge is applied to obtain energy from different sources, such as geothermal energy. New tanks are found while more efficient solutions increase production.
Thanks to teamwork and the mindset of an innovator, petroleum engineers feed the world. Using mathematics, physics, and geology, petroleum engineers can tackle and solve important problems that will lead to energy security and are therefore in high demand.
Petroleum engineering cuts across many engineering disciplines, including mechanical, chemical, and civil engineering. The table of Content below will give an overview of all you need to know about studying petroleum engineering in California.
What is Petroleum Engineering?
Petroleum engineering is the field of engineering that deals with the exploration, extraction, and production of oil. It also deals with the production of natural gas.
Here is what a student who just graduated as one of the best students gave as the definition of petroleum engineering.
.ugb-9bd7c83 .ugb-blockquote__item{background-color:#fdf5d2 !important}.ugb-9bd7c83 .ugb-blockquote__item:before{background-color:#fdf5d2 !important}.ugb-9bd7c83 .ugb-blockquote__quote{fill:#a36820 !important;width:20px !important;height:20px !important}.ugb-9bd7c83 .ugb-inner-block{text-align:right}Petroleum engineering is a combination of innovation, exploration, and expansion. This major provides the building blocks for every other profession to effectively carry out its work.
– Nicholas Staviski, Class of ’19 in University of Texas
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Who is a Petroleum Engineer?
A petroleum engineer (also known as a gas engineer) determines the most efficient way to drill and extract oil and natural gas from a particular well.
Also, petroleum engineers supervise drilling operations and resolve any operational problems. They also decide how to stimulate a poor actor.
Recently, they started developing new drilling techniques and tools and are finding new ways to extract the remaining oil and gas from older wells.
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What Does a Petroleum Engineer Do?
The job description of a petroleum engineers are vast. But we will be showing you the basic duties of all petroleum engineers.
Basically, petroleum engineers evaluate oil and gas tanks to determine their profitability. They are also in charge of examining the geology of future drilling sites to plan the safest and most efficient method of drilling and oil recovery.
Also, they manage the installation, maintenance, and operation of the equipment. They also manage the completion of the wells.
During production, they monitor performance and develop modifications and stimulation programs to improve performance. They are also responsible for solving operational problems that may arise.
Petroleum engineers generally specialize in a particular aspect of drilling operations.
For example, Reservoir Engineers determine the best way to recover the greatest amount of oil or gas from a particular tank and estimate how much it will be.
While, Drilling Engineers determine the best way to drill a particular well so that it is economically efficient and safe for people and the environment.
Also, Completions Engineers decide the best way to complete the construction of a well so that oil or gas flows from scratch. And Production Engineers monitor production and discover how to get the most out of low productivity well.
Petroleum engineers are essential to today’s economies. They make the drilling process safer for people, communities, wildlife, and the environment.
Equally, they also make it more efficient and the prices more affordable for customers.
Above all, they ensure compliance with best practices, industry standards, and environmental and safety standards, and contribute to energy independence.
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Why Study Petroleum Engineering in California?
Do you want to be successful and earn the best salary and benefits at the same time? Do you have the confidence and initiative to oversee expensive projects?
Also, do you have the ability to work with others and independently to produce good results? If so, you can enjoy a successful career in petroleum engineering, especially in California.
Firstly, the Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in any school in California lasts for approximately four years. Due to the wide range of course offerings in the curriculum, you may be qualified to serve in almost any capacity, such as a reservoir, drilling, production engineering, or well log analysis once you graduate.
However, the route you follow depends on the type of race you want. Once you have gained some experience, you can decide to become a consultant or jump into the oil sector.
Truly, studying petroleum engineering in any of the schools in California makes you top in any job you are seeking. This is because the standard of education in the University of California and Standford University is nothing to be compared to other schools. They are top-notch and outstanding in all their curriculum, even with their method of teaching, you will be engaged with a lot of practical works.
These schools go as far as making their Petroleum engineers participate in oil drilling and production operations. This is because as a petroleum engineer, they believe that he should be able to oversee and seek to improve drilling operations. Since these days petroleum engineering now involves the challenge of drilling deep into the Arctic, jungle, and ocean.
They make sure that their upcoming Petroleum engineers conduct in-depth studies of geological and technical data to predict maximum oil and gas recovery, as well as final production and production rates.
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What is the Job Outlook for Petroleum Engineers in California?
Are you wondering what the job market for petroleum engineers in the United States?
There are currently approximately 33,700 petroleum engineers in the United States.
Even with the increase the job market for petroleum engineers is expected to grow by 15.1% between 2016 and 2026.
According to CareerExplorer ranks petroleum engineers with an employability rating of grade C. This means that this career will provide moderate employment opportunities in the future.
In the next 10 years, the US is expected to need 9,700 petroleum engineers. This number is based on 5,100 additional petroleum engineers and the withdrawal of 4,600 existing petroleum engineers.
The petroleum engineer industry is concentrated in Texas, Oklahoma, California
Above all, the top five highest-paid petroleum engineering industries in California are oil and gas extraction, business and corporate management, manufacturing of basic chemicals. As well as scientific research and development services, and wholesale machinery dealers, equipment and supplies.
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How Much Does Petroleum Engineers in California Earn?
Often times, students do not immediately think about becoming a petroleum engineer when they want to choose a career. This might be because they don’t realize the potential salary involved in earning a petroleum engineering degree.
The truth is that petroleum engineer salaries can be very high since the field have a big impact on the profitability of a business, basically in oil and gas.
However, the average salary for a petroleum engineer in California is around $132,680 per year. Though the salaries generally start at $95,380 and then later go up to $199,020, depending on your experience.
Meanwhile, the petroleum engineering starting salary with a bachelor’s degree on average is $75,000 and $95,000 depending on the company and location. It is one of the best starting salaries a college graduate could hope to obtain and appears to remain solid in the future.
The average salary for petroleum engineers in the top 10 states in US pays more than $100,000. The highest-paid metropolitan cities are mainly found in Texas, California, Dallas, Plano, and Irving. Utah has the lowest salary for petroleum engineering at $97,960.
With this salary ranges, you should start thinking of obtaining a degree in petroleum engineering.
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How Do I Get a Petroleum Engineering Degree in California?
If you are asking how you can acquire petroleum engineering degree in California, then you came to the right place.
The first way to get a degree in petroleum engineering in California is by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering. Meanwhile, a solid foundation in math and science is excellent preparation for university studies.
But to acquire a bachelor degree in petroleum engineering, you should attend any school that offers petroleum engineering or its related field. However, we advice you attend any of the best petroleum engineering schools we have listed below.
With this school, you can be sure of getting a well paid job in California. Also, these university programs include classroom, laboratory, and field studies. They generally focus on the basic concepts of engineering, geology, and thermodynamics.
Work experience gained through bachelor education programs that these petroleum engineering colleges provide is highly valued by employers.
However, graduate degrees can provide an advantage in the job market and are generally required for positions in universities or other research positions.
Meanwhile, formal training can be provided to new recruits in large companies. You can also consider a master’s degree in biotechnology to advance your career.
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What are the Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in California?
Did you know that the United States is now the largest producer of crude oil? That means more jobs for petroleum engineers! Read on to discover how you can become a petroleum engineer by studying in any of the top petroleum engineering schools in California.
Even in times of crisis, the employment rate remains above average. With mounting pressure to provide clean energy, promising new opportunities such as sustainable drilling and production processes, as well as geothermal energy storage and recovery appear to be viable and sustainable strategies.
Ranking Methodology
In selecting the Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in California in 2020, we will be considering several ranking factors. Note that this World Scholarship Forum Ranking of Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in California is actually considering about 5 factors but we will explaining some in detail. They include:
Number of Programs: We consider these as one important criterion for ranking the Best and Top and Best Petroleum Engineering Schools in California in 2020. Because some of these universities can have a good number of programs they offer which will avail you a lot of options to choose from.
Accreditation: This criterion is very much important because a school can be considered good with great programs but yet do not have quality. So, we consider the body of accreditation as well as certification for each of these schools before ranking them. Whether they fall in the category of regional or national accreditation.
Acceptance Rate: This is one aspect that is considered important because of the lower the acceptance rate the better the school. The acceptance rate of any universities in Michigan is a guide to show the quality of the university.
Graduation & Employment Rate: Here, we consider if these schools have a high tendency of graduating their students. Some can get enrolled but get stuck at the end. Also, we put into consideration whether school graduates are employable by great institutions. These factors are equally very much important.
Here is a list of the Best and Top Petroleum Engineering Schools in California:
University of Southern California
Number of Programs: 5
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Graduation Rate: 98%
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s petroleum engineering program is one of the oldest in the country, with considerable industry support and interaction.
There are many advantages if you choose to study at the University of Southern California. Firstly, is their relatively small and easy-to-use program, combined with the University’s impressive academic and research facilities. Secondly, its proximity to major oil fields in California and finally, the quality education from experienced and nationally renowned teachers.
For Bachelor students interested in petroleum engineering, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical or mechanical engineering with an emphasis in petroleum engineering. Additionally, a major in petroleum engineering is available for other majors in science or engineering.
While, the graduate program offers a master of science, a doctorate in philosophy and engineering, and a certification program in smart oilfield technologies. Meanwhile, their master’s program is offered both online and offline.
For students entering with a bachelor’s degree, 5 semesters (including one summer semester) are typically required to earn a master’s degree and a total of about five years of the bachelor’s degree to earn a doctorate. All students entering the program without a petroleum degree must also follow deficiency courses determined by their advisors.
Stanford University
Number of Programs: 4
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Graduation Rate: 95%
Stanford Engineering has been at the forefront of revolutionary research and innovation. By developing and applying engineering principles in all disciplines, they face the main challenges of the 21st century.
The Bachelor of Science provides a foundation for careers in many aspects of the energy industry. Above all, the program represents an evolution towards a more forward-looking energy program, while offering an Earth science-based engineering approach to energy resources.
While the master’s and doctoral programs are offered by the Faculty of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences. Students entering the graduate program must have undergraduate engineering training in energy resources.
The first step in earning a degree in petroleum engineering from Stanford is to gain admission to the university. With an acceptance rate of just 7%, earning a place at Stanford is difficult. Most Stanford college students score between 2040 and 2330 on the SAT.
California Petroleum Engineering Schools FAQs
Petroleum engineering is the field of engineering that deals with the exploration, extraction, and production of oil. It also deals with the production of natural gas.
A petroleum engineer (also known as a gas engineer) determines the most efficient way to drill and extract oil and natural gas from a particular well. Also, petroleum engineers supervise drilling operations and resolve any operational problems. They also decide how to stimulate a poor actor.
Are you a fan of math and science who is fascinated by the world below the surface of the earth? If so, a career as a petroleum engineer may be for you.
Becoming an accomplished petroleum engineer starts with laying a strong foundation in high school, progresses with pursuing an accredited university program, and advances with a career-long commitment to the profession.
It generally takes four years to complete a Bachelor’s degree required to enter the petroleum engineering field. Some aspiring engineers will study for an additional year to earn a joint Bachelor’s/Master’s degree offered by some schools.
