Job & Salary of a Petroleum Engineer in Malaysia

Petroleum Engineer Job and Salary in Malaysia

Petroleum engineers must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably in petroleum engineering. Employers also value

work experience, so engineering programs with internships in which students earn academic credit for structured job experience, are valuable as well. Since many petroleum companies conduct worldwide operations, the petroleum engineer may have the opportunity for assignments all over the world.

Salary for Petroleum Engineers in Malaysia

Basically, Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.

Job Outlook According to the USA Department of Labour, Employment of petroleum engineers is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Oil prices will be a major determinant of employment growth, as higher prices lead to increasing complexity of oil companies’ operations and require more engineers for each drilling operation.

The Average Salary of a Petroleum Engineer in Malaysia

In 2010, the median salary per year was US$114,080 per year In Malaysia. Petroleum Engineers can earn yearly from RM 37,094 – RM 365,156 depending on their experience.

According to Jobstreet, Engineers in the Oil and Gas industry are one of the Top 10 Highest Salaries in Malaysia. A Senior Executive in Engineering – Oil/Gas  can earn RM6,353 a month while a Senior Manager can get RM15,307.

The Work of a Petroleum Engineer in Malaysia

A petroleum engineer is involved in nearly all stages of oil and gas field evaluation, development and production. The aim is to

maximise hydrocarbon recovery at minimum cost while maintaining a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact. Petroleum engineers are divided into several groups:

• Petroleum geologists find hydrocarbons by analysing subsurface structures with geological and geophysical methods.
• Reservoir engineers work to optimise production of oil and gas via proper well placement, production levels and enhanced oil recovery techniques. They use computer simulations to assist in the identification of risks and to make forecasts on reservoir potential.
• Production engineers manage the interface between the reservoir and the well through such tasks as (but not limited to) perforations, sand control, artificial lift, downhole flow control and downhole monitoring equipment. They also select surface equipment that separates the produced fluids (oil, natural gas and water).
• Drilling engineers manage the technical aspects of drilling both production and injection wells. They work in multidisciplinary teams alongside other engineers, scientists, drilling teams and contractors.

Typical work activities of a Petroleum Engineer in Malaysia

Petroleum engineers increasingly use advanced computers, not only in analysis of exploration data and simulation of reservoir behavior, but also in automation of oilfield production and drilling operations. Petroleum companies own many of the world’s supercomputers. Petroleum engineers have a future full of challenges and opportunities.

They must develop and apply new technology to recover hydrocarbons from oil shale, tar sands, and offshore oil and gas fields. They must also devise new techniques to recover oil left in the ground after application of conventional producing techniques.

Since many petroleum companies conduct worldwide operations, the petroleum engineer may have the opportunity for assignments all over the world. The work of a Petroleum Engineer Basically, Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.

The actual tasks carried out will vary depending on the specific role but may include:

• liaising with geoscientists, production and reservoir engineers, and commercial managers to interpret well-logging resultsand predict production potential;
• compiling detailed development plans of reservoir performance using mathematical models to ensure maximum economic recovery;
• selecting optimal tubing size and suitable equipment within the well for different functions;
• designing the completion – the part of the well that communicates with the reservoir rock and fluids; • designing systems that help the well to flow, for example using submersible pumps;
• managing problems of fluid behaviour and production chemistry;
• evaluating and recommending flow rate enhancement by using, for example, hydraulic fracturing (to force fluid into a well and fracture the rock) and acid treatment (to erode the rock and improve flow path);
• managing and controlling wells with branches at the bottom (horizontal and multilateral wells);
• using well and reservoir remote sensing technology and surveillance data to manage the value of the reservoir and decide on appropriate engineering interventions;
• understanding and managing how a set of wells interact;
• managing contractor relationships in relation to health, safety and environmental performance;
• supervising well-site operations personnel and managing staff at all levels, including the training and supervision of crew members, to ensure that everyone works as a team in order to meet deadlines to clients’ satisfaction;
• liaising with separate departments to ensure correct progress with projects;
• taking responsibility for the maintenance of equipment;
• liaising with clients to keep them informed of progress.