21332 – Petroleum engineers
Lead statement
Petroleum engineers conduct studies for the exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas deposits; and plan, design, develop and supervise projects for the drilling, completion, testing and re-working of oil and gas wells.
Main duties
- Conduct feasibility assessment studies for developing new oil and gas fields
- Direct and monitor oil and gas drilling operations
- Develop drilling programs, select sites and specify drilling fluids, bit selection, drill stem testing procedures and equipment
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing and well surveys
- Design and select artificial lift machinery, and well and surface production equipment and systems, and specify programs for corrosion control and oil or gas treatment
- Develop specifications for and monitor and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery
- Analyze reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum recovery methods and to predict reservoir performance and reserves
- Monitor and forecast oil and gas reservoir performance and recommend oil recovery techniques which extend the economic life of wells
- Design, develop and coordinate the installation, maintenance and operation of subsea well-head and production equipment.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or in a related engineering discipline is required.
- A master's degree or doctorate in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, and after three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Example job titles
drilling and recovery chief engineer · chief petroleum engineer · drilling and recovery petroleum engineer · oil and gas drilling engineer · petroleum engineer · oil well logging engineer · mud engineer · natural gas engineer · oil and gas production engineer · petroleum well completion engineer · petroleum production engineer · offshore drilling engineer · subsea engineer · offshore drilling rig subsea equipment engineer · petroleum reservoir engineer · well logging engineer · mud engineer - petroleum drilling · exploitation engineer - oil and gas · exploitation engineer - petroleum
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $46.25 | $64.90 | $96.15 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $38.46 | $60.10 | $72.12 |
| Quebec | $30.79 | $48.18 | $74.25 |
| Ontario | $52.88 | $67.30 | $74.52 |
| Saskatchewan | $52.88 | $67.87 | $92.79 |
| Alberta | $46.67 | $66.35 | $96.15 |
| British Columbia | $40.53 | $55.46 | $82.73 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.