What is petroleum engineering?

Petroleum is synonymous with energy. Over 70 percent of the energy used in the United States originates from oil and natural gas. Petroleum engineering is a multifaceted discipline that is directed toward capitalizing on natural resources contained in a geological habitat.

What do petroleum engineers do?

Petroleum engineers may work on specific production-related challenges in a technical area or may work to solve broad technical challenges within an organization. Petroleum engineers are required to utilize complex technologies. Exploration and production projects are sophisticated and the financial and physical risks must be integrated into engineering design of specific exploration and production systems to make them work.

What sets petroleum engineers apart?

Petroleum engineers primarily work with nature. Unlike most other engineering disciplines that rely on manmade materials, petroleum engineers rely on exploration and discovery. Petroleum engineers continually work with the unknown and devise measurement procedures to successfully understand and utilize resources through exploration, drilling operations, reservoir engineering and production operations.

Why petroleum engineering at OU?

  • Consistently ranked among the top five academic programs in the country by U.S. News and World Report

  • Top paying summer internships

  • Substantial scholarship support through the generosity of alumni, friends and corporate sponsors

  • Domestic opportunities ranging from large cities to small towns

  • International operations consisting of explorations in Asia, Africa and Europe

  • Strong program with an international reputation and a long, proud history of being recognized as a leader and contributor to the energy industry

What are my career opportunities?

There has been a 100 percent job placement rate for MPGE graduates seeking employment during peak and slow trends in the oil and gas industry. The demand for petroleum engineers continues to be greater than the supply. Graduates from MPGE receive the top salaries for OU graduates on campus every year. The average entry-level salary for petroleum engineers for Spring 2003 graduates was $62,500. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average salary for experienced petroleum engineers is $100,230, which is the highest among engineering disciplines.

Facts about the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering:

  • Among almost 5,000 petroleum and geological alumni, more are top executives in Fortune 500 companies than any other group

  • The School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering was founded at the University of Oklahoma in 1927

  • Six MPGE professors have received the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Distinguished Achievement Award

Click here to go to home page

| University of Oklahoma, Engineering Dean's Office © 2000-2004 | DisclaimerUniversity of Oklahoma logo