Petroleum Engineers
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
How AI Impacts Each Task
23 tasks analyzed
Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.
Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.
Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.
Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.
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.
Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.
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.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 6% | |
| Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 7% | |
| Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 7% | |
| Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 6% | |
| Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 4% | |
| Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 5% | |
| Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 5% | |
| Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 4% | |
| Maintain records of drilling and production operations. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 4% | |
| Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development. | 25Estimated | 25.0% | 3% | |
| Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes. | 45Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| 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. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 3% | |
| Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 3% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis