Petroleum jobs are closely tied to commodity prices and as a result are cyclic in nature. In addition, during the past five years there has been a significant decrease in exploration budgets as the major resource plays have been discovered. Many of these are in harvest mode. Worldwide some major and large independent companies are still in exploration mode.
The following are potential jobs in petroleum:
Consultant
Contract work can be rewarding and profitable during downturns. You have to understand your strengths and areas of expertise and sell yourself. It can take a lot of leg work to contact and visit companies but that’s what it takes. If you do not have a good network now is the time to build it. Consulting ranges from simple geologic analysis to full basin study.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology min/ MS geology preferred
Experience / Expertise:
- Self-starter willing to build network and make multiple contacts looking for work
- Proficient in at least one data management and mapping software—Geographix, Petra, and/or
- Basic understand of petrophysics—log analysis and rock evaluation
- Basic understanding of geochemical analyses
Professional Opportunities:
- Basic stratigraphy—correlating and picking tops for a client
- Mapping—some clients need help in this field and use a down time to catch up on mapping.
- Reservoir geology—analyzing the details that make reservoir or play productive. Helps to have an understanding of reservoir engineering for this type of consulting
- Rock studies—outcrop-samples-core description and analysis are potential opportunities during a downturn. Often the availability of key cores increases during a downturn
- Risk assessment--geologic hazard evaluation, geotechnical assessments, seismic risk assessment
- Regional/Sub-regional Geology—many clients do not have time to understand how the regional geology fits into a prospect (s). Some geologists have used this to keep employed during a downturn
- Expert witness
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $60-100+/hour; $600-1000+/day
Potential Clients:
- Small to medium-sized independents
- Private equity shops
- Privately owned, LLCs
- Financial institutions
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature=5/2=Low to Medium Job Density
Examples:
- Oil and Gas Geologist, Consultant, Min10yrs, Charlotte, NC (Cape town): Smart Recruiters
(Look for land that has been undeveloped)
Geosteerer
his is an entry-level job; however, the job market is saturated with experienced geosteerers as rig counts are down significantly. The position requires effective written and verbal communication with office and field staff. Must be organized and keep well folders updated and maintained to allow geology and operations team to access up-to-date data and interpretations. When prices stabilize and density drilling increases there may be new opportunities in the major plays such as the Permian Basin and Williston Basin.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology, geophysics, or engineering
Experience-Expertise:
- Proficient with geosteering software—SES or BHL Boresight.
- Basic understanding of wellsite operations.
- Mud Logging mechanics and oversight.
- Able to prep for and follow permitting requirements.
- Familiar with land and GIS applications.
Professional Opportunities:
- Well planning
- Geosteering
- Post-geosteering
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $300-800 per day
Potential Clients:
- Small to large-sized independents
- Private equity shops
- Privately owned, LLCs
- Operations consulting vendors
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature industry=5/3=Medium job density
Examples:
- Geosteerer, EOG, San Antonio, Tx. MinExp-6yrs.: Glassdoor (4/15)
- Contract Geosteerer, FourPoint Energy, Denver, Co.: Jobatic (4/15)
- Geologist/Mudlogger/Geosteerer, Decollement Consulting, Greely, CO: HelpWanted.com (4/1/20)
- Wellsite Geologist/ Geosteerer, Decollement Consulting Golden, CO: ZipRecruiter (5/4/20)
GeoTech
This can be an entry-level job; however, the job market is saturated with experienced Geotechs; smaller companies may be willing to train. A Geotech is typically a key member of a team and needs good personal and communications skills. Also, geotechs are needed in a number of other fields such as engineering and environmental.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology, geophysics, or engineering
Experience-Expertise:
- Proficient at data management/mapping software—Petra/Kingdom, and/or GeoGraphix Suite
- Data management—Excel, Access, IHS, Enverus (DrillingInfo), etc.
- Basic ability to access land metadata and shapefiles.
- Mapping using analytics software.
- Team development, communication.
Professional Opportunities:
- Data management—develop databases
- Hardware/software—research, purchase, set-up, maintain
- Basic IT management (smaller companies)
- Mapping—production, land, geology, seismic
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $300-800 per day
Potential Clients:
- Small to large-sized independents
- Private equity shops
- Engineering companies
- Privately owned, LLCs
- Financial groups with geo teams
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature industry=5/2=Low job density
Examples:
- Geoscience Technologist, Aethon Energy, Dallas, TX (BS+5/): LinkedIn (6/01/20)
Wellsite Geologist /Mud logger
This can be an entry-level job; however, experience is very important and the job market is saturated with experienced wellsite geologists. There are some jobs available now and this can change rapidly as density drilling resumes in the major markets. A mudlogging job is a good fit for those with a strong background in math and science. They are considered to be good positions during stable commodity prices and good paying wellsite geologist jobs can be found all over the world.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology, geophysics, or engineering.
- AAPG publishes the “Sample Examination Manual” by R. G. Swanson. This book was derived from the Shell mud logging manual and it is a crucial educational resource.
Experience-Expertise:
- Basic understanding of drilling operations especially mud systems and sample collection.
- Experience in basic mud logging services plus well cuttings examination and identification
- Good geologic knowledge of rock properties
- Experienced with gas detection equipment
- Experienced with wellsite XRF/XRD evaluation
- Advanced— GeoChem well-site Mass Spec Analysis
Professional Opportunities:
- Wellsite general geologist
- Mud logger
- Petrophysicist
Compensation:
- $ 10-20/hr consulting; $35-50/yr vendors, $50-75k/yr companies (based on experience)
Potential Clients:
- Small to large-sized independents
- Private equity shops
- Privately owned, LLCs
- Operations service companies, e.g. Schlumberger, Halliburton, Horizon, Columbine, Datalog, PML, etc.
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature industry=5/3.5=Med job density
Examples:
- Wellsite Geologist/ Geosteerer Decollement Consulting Golden, CO.: ZipRecruiter (5/4/20)
- Wellsite Geologist, Computerized Mudlogging Service, LLC, Youngstown, OH.: Indeed (4/30/20)
- Geologist/Mudlogger, Decollement Consulting, Greely, CO.: HelpWanted.com (4/1/20)
- Oil & Nat. Gas Drilling Mud-log Analyst, NGO, No Loc?, (10+ yrs): Indeed (4/3/20)
Geo Research Analyst/Assistant
Rock evaluation is a key component of unconventional exploration and development. There are a number of companies that specialize in this field and there have been significant layoffs during the current downturn. Nevertheless, this is an area where geologists can find employment as it specialized in understand samples and core collected during operations.
Educational Requirements:
Experience-Expertise:
- Basic understanding of drilling operations especially sample and core collection.
- Experience in basic well cuttings and core services.
- Good geologic knowledge of rock properties and description.
- Great observation skills and ability to describe in detail
- Good report writing skills
Professional Opportunities:
- On-site sample/core recovery
- Laboratory rock eval
- Sales
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $65-85k/yr
Potential Clients:
- Large oilfield service companies, e.g., Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes
- Mid-sized oilfield vendors, e.g. CoreLab, Stratum (Weatherford)
- Small consulting firms, e.g., SCAL (Midland)
- Government, e.g. USGS, NASA, etc.
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature industry=5/2=Low job density
Examples:
- Research Physical Scientist, AST, NASA: ZipRecruiter (4/10/20)
- Physical Scientist, USGS, Menlo Park, CA (GS-09: $65k): Glassdoor (4/26/20)
- Geological Research Analyst, Maxar Tech, Reston, VA (BS:4+ yrs)
Wireline Logger-Operator/Engineer
There are two positions here—1) an operator, and 2) engineer. Often these jobs are considered to be entry level positions and there is a lot of on the job training. An operator is not required to have a degree and does related wireline duties in prep and running wireline logs. A wireline engineer is typically a job for young engineers; however, geologists with an engineering and analytical background make good wireline loggers. This is a good job but major and independent logging companies have had significant layoffs. Once prices stabilize there will be opportunities to work.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology, geophysics, or engineering
Experience-Expertise:
- Need to be analytical and good with software such as Well Logger.
- Become familiar with terms and names of major logging suites and software.
- Need to be a jack-of-all-trades e.g., assembling perforating guns and tool strings.
- A wireline engineer should be familiar with rock properties and accessing their physical/chemical characteristics from various logging tools.
Professional Opportunities:
- Onsite wireline logging operator
- Wireline logging engineer
- Open hole field supervisor
- Salesman
Compensation:
- $25-50k/yr wireline operator; 60-100k/yr logging engineer/supervisor
Potential Clients:
- Large multi-service companies, e.g., Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes
- Operation consulting vendors, e.g., Horizon, Basin, TGT
Industry / Density Ratio:
- Mature=5/2.5=Low to Moderate Job Density
Examples:
- Field Operator, Baker Hughes, Oklahoma City, OK: Baker Hughes (05/07/20)
- Reliance Oilfield Services, Norman, OK: Glassdoor (04/29/20)
- Wireline Operators, Gyrodata, West, TX: Jobsearcher (04/08/20)
- Oil & Nat. Gas Drilling Well-log Analyst, NGO, No Loc?, (5+ yrs): Indeed (4/3/20)
Field Geologist
This is a great opportunity for geologists who like to do outside work. There are a wide variety of applications and jobs from energy and engineering companies to government work. Applicants should be able to motivate and work alone plus have great observations skills. This job is similar to an “Environmental Geologist” job listed below but it does not require as much training in that field.
Educational Requirements:
- BS geology or related field/ MS geology preferred
- Edu or training in soil analysis for Environmental/Hydro work
Experience / Expertise:
- Good knowledge of stratigraphy and sedimentological processes
- Good experience in field mapping and sampling
- Strong expertise in rock and/or soil identification
- Proficient in using mapping software
Professional Opportunities:
- Field description/ mapper
- Soil and water sampler
- Rock/soil analyst
Compensation:
- Pay ranges from $30-70k/yr boe
Potential Clients:
- Energy companies
- Environmental/ hydrogeology companies
- Government entities
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature=4/2=Low to Medium Job Density
Examples:
- Field Geologist, Geo-Technology Assoc, York PA (HS+/$43-65noe): ZipRecruiter (5/06/20)
- Field Geologist, Terracon, Hialeah, FL (BS+1): LinkedIn (5/01/20)
Technical Sales
Providers of Oil and Gas related goods and services commonly hire technically-educated professionals for their sales positions. Products and services in the Oil and Gas Industry cover a wide variety of disciplines and may range from seismic and data processing, interpretation services, logging and mudlogging, core analysis, data storage, digitizing, valves and seals, pumping equipment, flow control, chemical products… the list is endless. Product and Service providers will train entry level hires.
Educational Requirements:
Experience/Expertise:
- Previous sales experience is a plus
- Good interpersonal skills
- Self-starter, quick learner and persistent
Compensation:
- Entry level: $10/hr to $100k/yr
- Experienced: $50k/yr to $200k/yr
- Bonuses and commissions are common
Potential Clients:
Any company that sells a product or service to the Oil and Gas Industry
Opportunity Ratio:
- Mature=5/3=Medium Job Density
Examples:
- Technical Sales Rep; Thermoseal, Houston, TX. (BS, 0-5) Linkedin Jobs: 6/6/2020
- Account Executive: Enverus, Dallas/Houston/Austin, TX (BS, 3-7) Company website: 6/12/2020