STEM Careers Coalition: Field Engineer

Field Engineers are comfortable working outdoors and using heavy equipment, performing a variety of tasks that are all critical to maintaining natural gas and oil wells. They use electronic imaging tools like Well Logs to analyze natural gas and oil producing formations, while prioritizing safety in the process.

WHO ARE THEY?  
Field engineers are multi-tasking, problem-solving, leadership-oriented
professionals who have knowledge in multiple fields of science and math
related to extracting oil and natural gas reserves from underground deposits,
or reservoirs. They provide onsite leadership at oil and natural gas drilling sites
to maximize their production and efficiency. Field engineers are comfortable
implementing complex production plans, but also possess analytical minds for
troubleshooting and making adjustments to drilling operations. They are able
to collaborate with colleagues representing diverse areas of expertise within
the petroleum and gas industries. Field engineers are approachable and easy
to work with, but always willing to raise difficult questions to resolve issues.
Successful field engineers maximize the utility of oil and natural gas reserves
and ensure resources are produced safely, on-time and at-cost.
WHAT DO THEY DO?  
Field engineers work onsite at oil and natural gas wells to implement drilling
and extraction plans. They assist in designing equipment for extracting oil and
natural gas from underground deposits located beneath onshore and offshore
well locations. They collaborate with experts to formulate detailed procedures
for drilling oil and natural gas fields, and then oversee implementation of
these plans. Field engineers ensure that well equipment is installed, used, and
maintained correctly. They formulate solutions for maximizing the potential of
drilling locations, and conduct tests to collect data to evaluate well production.
HOW DO I BECOME ONE?  
Field engineers will need at a bachelor’s degree in petroleum, mechanical,
civil, or chemical engineering. Employers in this field value hands-on
experience, so candidate participation in a cooperative-education program
is valuable. These programs provide students with opportunities to gain
practical experience as they earn their degrees. Field engineers also need
analytical skills for processing large amounts of information; interpersonal
skills for collaborating with colleagues representing different areas of
expertise; problem-solving skills for identifying and correcting issues; and
math skills for conducting measurements and analyzing data.
Video Length 1:25

Engineering Topics
Machines, Materials, Structures
Engineer (Civil), Engineer (Materials), Engineer (Mechanical)
Middle School, High School
6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

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