Editing Petroleum engineering (section)

== Overview ==
The profession got its start in 1914 within the [[American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers|American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers]] (AIME). The first Petroleum Engineering degree was conferred in 1915 by the [[University of Pittsburgh]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Petroleum Engineering|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/454409/petroleum-engineering#toc64689|encyclopedia=Britannica|access-date=3 February 2012}}</ref> Since then, the profession has evolved to solve increasingly difficult situations. Improvements in computer modeling, materials and the application of statistics, probability analysis, and new technologies like [[horizontal drilling]] and [[enhanced oil recovery]], have drastically improved the toolbox of the petroleum engineer in recent decades. Automation,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spe.org/en/jpt/topics/?topic=14|title=Drilling Automation|date=December 14, 2017|website=Journal of Petroleum Technology}}</ref> sensors,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spe.org/en/jpt/jpt-article-detail/?art=2295|title=JPT Flow Sensor Technology Seeks to Replace the Coriolis Meter|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> and robots<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spe.org/en/jpt/jpt-article-detail/?art=2313|title=JPT Competing Companies Building Robots to Place Receivers|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spe.org/en/jpt/jpt-article-detail/?art=3209|title=JPT Robot Removes Operators From Extreme Environments|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> are being used to propel the industry to more efficiency and safety.

Deep-water, arctic and desert conditions are usually contended with. High temperature and high pressure (HTHP) environments have become increasingly commonplace in operations and require the petroleum engineer to be savvy in topics as wide-ranging as thermo-hydraulics, geomechanics, and intelligent systems.

The [[Society of Petroleum Engineers]] (SPE) is the largest [[professional society]] for petroleum engineers and publishes much technical information and other resources to support the oil and gas industry. It provides free online education (webinars), mentoring, and access to SPE Connect, an exclusive platform for members to discuss technical issues, best practices, and other topics. SPE members also are able to access the SPE Competency Management Tool to find knowledge and skill strengths and opportunities for growth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spe.org/memberbasics/documents/ResourceGuide.pdf|title=SPE Member Resource Guide|website=Society of Petroleum Engineers|access-date=December 12, 2017}}</ref> SPE publishes peer-reviewed journals, books, and magazines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spe.org/publications/|title=Publications {{!}} The Society of Petroleum Engineers|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> SPE members receive a complimentary subscription to the ''Journal of Petroleum Technology'' and discounts on SPE's other publications.<ref name="spe benefits">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spe.org/members/benefits.php|title=Professional Membership Benefits {{!}} Society of Petroleum Engineers|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> SPE members also receive discounts on registration fees for SPE organized events and training courses.<ref name="spe benefits"/> SPE provides scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students.

According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, petroleum engineers are required to have a bachelor's degree in engineering, generally a degree focused on petroleum engineering is preferred, but degrees in mechanical, chemical, and civil engineering are satisfactory as well.<ref name="pet eng">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/petroleum-engineers.htm|title=Petroleum Engineers: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref> Petroleum engineering education is available at many universities in the [[United States]] and throughout the world - primarily in oil producing regions. ''U.S. News & World Report'' maintains a list of the Best Undergraduate Petroleum Engineering Programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-petroleum|title=Best Undergraduate Petroleum Engineering Programs (Doctorate)|date=February 6, 2018|website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> SPE and some private companies offer training courses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.peice.com/index.aspx|title=PEICE – Practical Professional Career Training for the Oil & Gas Industry|website=www.peice.com|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.petroskills.com/|title=PetroSkills Oil and Gas Training {{!}} World's Petroleum Training|website=www.petroskills.com|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oilandgastraining.com/oilandgastraining/default.aspx?cookieCheck=true|title=Online Training, Online Courses, Web-based Learning Management System - Learning Management Express(LMX) - NexLearn|website=www.oilandgastraining.com|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> Some oil companies have considerable in-house petroleum engineering training classes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/energy-pipeline/energy-pipeline-noble-energys-outdoor-training-facility-brings-industry-to-communitys-fingertips/|title=Energy Pipeline: Noble Energy's outdoor training facility brings industry to community's fingertips|access-date=2017-12-14|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.slb.com/resources/next.aspx|title=Oil and Gas Training & Career Development {{!}} Schlumberger|website=www.slb.com|access-date=2017-12-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218160349/http://www.slb.com/resources/next.aspx|archive-date=2017-12-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Petroleum engineering salaries ===
Petroleum engineering has historically been one of the highest-paid engineering disciplines, although there is a tendency for mass layoffs when oil prices decline and waves of hiring as prices rise. In 2020, the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median pay for petroleum engineers was US$137,330, or roughly $66.02 per hour.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Petroleum Engineers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/petroleum-engineers.htm|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.bls.gov|language=en-us}}</ref> The same summary projects there will be 3% job growth in this field from 2019 to 2029.<ref name=":3" />

SPE annually conducts a [[salary survey]]. In 2017, SPE reported that the average SPE professional member reported earning US$194,649 (including salary and bonus).<ref name="spe salary survey1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spe.org/industry/oil-and-gas-salary-survey/|title=Oil and Gas Pay {{!}} Salary Survey {{!}} Society of Petroleum Engineers|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref>  The average base pay reported in 2016 was $143,006.<ref name="spe salary survey1" /> Base pay and other compensation was on average was highest in the United States where the base pay was US$174,283. Drilling and production engineers tended to make the best base pay, US$160,026 for drilling engineers and US$158,964 for production engineers. Average base pay ranged from US$96,382-174,283.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spe.org/industry/docs/2017-Salary-Survey-Highlight-Report.pdf|title=2017 SPE Membership Salary Survey Highlight Report-November 2017|date=January 3, 2018|website=Society of Petroleum Engineers|access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref> There are still significant gender pay gaps, plus or minus 5% of the US average pay gap which was 18% difference in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Highlights of women's earnings in 2017 : BLS Reports: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|url=https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/womens-earnings/2017/home.htm|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.bls.gov|language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Also in 2016, ''U.S. News & World Report'' named petroleum engineering the top college major in terms of highest median annual wages of college-educated workers (age 25–59).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2016-05-17/top-10-college-majors-that-earn-the-highest-salaries|title=Top 10 College Majors That Earn the Highest Salaries|date=February 6, 2018|website=U.S. News & World Report}}</ref> The 2010 National Association of Colleges and Employers survey showed petroleum engineers as the highest paid 2010 graduates, at an average annual salary of $125,220.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Top-Paid_Majors_Among_College_Class_of_2010_(3-11-10).aspx |title=NACE |publisher=Naceweb.org |access-date=2011-12-18}}</ref> For individuals with experience, salaries can range from $170,000 to $260,000. They make an average of $112,000 a year and about $53.75 per hour. In a 2007 article, Forbes.com reported that petroleum engineering was the 24th best paying job in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/06/04/jobs-careers-compensation-lead-careers-cx_pm_0604jobs.html |title=America's Best- And Worst-Paying Jobs |magazine=Forbes |date= 2007-06-04|access-date=2011-12-18}}</ref>