Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers work with geologists and other engineers to ensure the safe recovery, processing, transportation, transmission, and utilisation of petroleum products often in challenging environments. In addition to the technical petroleum engineering skills, petroleum engineers learn skills in project management, project economics and environmental impact assessment. It is unsurprising therefore that petroleum engineers are highly sought after by both energy and non-energy companies worldwide, and are amongst the best-paid compared to other engineering disciplines.

Aberdeen is internationally recognised as a major international energy city and is leading the way in applying world-class technical expertise to the energy transition challenge. According to the Royal Academy of Engineering, Aberdeen is one of 13 engineering hot spots in the UK with over 8,000 engineering businesses across the city and the surrounding region.

The School of Engineering has strong links with the energy industry, including local, national and international organisations, who support our teaching through guest lectures and seminars, placement opportunities, site visits and
scholarships.

The Aberdeen University chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is one of the largest in the world. With more than 360 student chapters across the globe, the SPE make it easy for you to network with industry professionals and employers, benefit from technology discussions at SPE meetings and events, and receive society sponsored scholarships.

While oil and gas will continue to play an important role in meeting our energy needs for years to come, the knowledge and skills you will acquire as a petroleum engineer are also in high demand in the renewable energy sector, for example in geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage.