Energy & Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum Engineering student works in the High Bay Research Center

Welcome to the Department of Energy & Petroleum Engineering!

Petroleum engineers are involved in all facets of oil exploration and development, from identifying and characterizing the reservoir through drilling and completion to production. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells. We offer courses that prepare students for careers in petroleum and energy-resource fields.

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'What can I do with a degree in Petroleum Engineering?'

The oil and gas industry is full of opportunities to utilize your petroleum engineering degree in all facets of exploration, drilling, production, but here is a great example of the versatility of the skill set that students will learn and put to use in their career.

Why Energy & Petroleum Engineering?

Petroleum engineering jobs are projected to grow 15 percent by 2026.

The average starting salary for petroleum engineering graduates is the highest of all the engineering majors ($76,416). See our Career Services Resources page.

The average annual salary for petroleum engineers was $83,745 in 2020.

Petroleum engineers primarily work in the upstream oil and gas industries around the world as reservoir engineers, drilling engineers and production engineers.