Devise methods to improve oil and gas well production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice to achieve economical and satisfactory progress.

Other names for Petroleum Engineers: Automation Engineer, Chief Engineer, Completion Engineer, Design Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Drilling Manager, Exploration Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Logging Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment Design Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment Test Engineer, Mining and Oil Well Equipment Research Engineer, Mud Analysis Supervisor, Mud Analysis Well Logging District Supervisor, Mud Engineer, Natural Gas Engineer, Oil Exploration Engineer, Oil Well Engineer, Oil Well Services Superintendent, Operations Engineer, Operations Manager, Petroleum Engineer, Petroleum Supply Specialist, Process Engineer, Production Engineer, Project Drilling Engineer, Project Production Engineer, Project Reservoir Engineer, Prospecting Observer, Research Chief Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE), Test Engineer, Validation Engineer, Validation Specialist, Well Logging Captain, Well Logging Mud Analysis Captain, Well Surveying Engineer,

• Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
• Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
• Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
• Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
• Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
• Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
• Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
• Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
• Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
• Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
• Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.
• Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
• Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
• Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.
• Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.
• Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted.
• Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.
• Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.
• Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.
• Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
• Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.
• Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
• Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.

• Scanners
• Desktop computers
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers
• Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers

Project management software

Office suite software

Financial analysis software

Word processing software

Charting software

Presentation software

Spreadsheet software

Data base user interface and query software

Computer aided design CAD software

Analytical or scientific software

Internet browser software

Electronic mail software