Petroleum Engineering Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2025 & Future Scope

The Petroleum Engineering career in India presents a lot of earning opportunities for fresh graduates on a platter. Petroleum engineers have to work with the team of geologists in order to look after the safe recovery, processing, transportation, transmission, and effective utilization of petroleum. They can actively contribute to the oilfield operations by participating in the drilling and extraction processes. Further, they can work with petrochemical companies, refineries, research and development organizations, and government agencies. One can even enter into academia after completing higher studies.

Some of the highest paying Petroleum Engineering careers in India include Drilling Engineer, Completion Engineer, Production Engineer and Reservoir Engineer. They are all essential in producing the raw materials that provide us with the energy we need to fuel our cars, planes, and trucks; heat our homes and power our businesses.

Petroleum engineers work with the information provided by geologists and other experts to determine the best techniques to drill a well. Drilling engineers will assess additional factors such as equipment, methods, and costs to safely complete the drilling process. Further, the completion engineers work to complete the well which includes hydraulic fracturing and the installation over side of pressure control techniques. 

Production engineers design the equipment to get the crude oil and natural gas out of the well and interestingly look after the oil and gas pipelines for marketing and distribution. They look for alternative equipment and processes to improve the well’s production. Reservoir engineers evaluate the performance of individual wells and complete their research by using advanced technologies to improve reservoir performance and overall company operations.

The average Petroleum Engineering salary for freshers in India ranges between INR 6 LPA and INR 10 LPA, which varies on the basis of individual experience and skill set. Courses in Petroleum Engineering prepare students for careers in hydrocarbon production, geothermal energy, hydrogen storage, waste water disposal and environmental remediation. Some of the top Petroleum Engineering recruiters in India include Bharat Petroleum, Aban Offshore, Aquarius International, Cairn India, Essar Oil Limited, GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, etc. 

Relevant Link for Petroleum Engineering Career Path:

Why Engineering is Still a Highly Paid Career Stream?

 Petroleum Engineering Career Scope: Quick Facts

The Petroleum Engineering scope in India looks quite promising in the near future, extending a plethora of opportunities to fresh graduates with a degree in the field. Some petroleum engineers work in the office, while others spend time in the field making sure their carefully designed well plans are executed properly. Petroleum Engineering courses after 12th lead to the most high-paying and challenging careers in the oil and natural gas industry. So, if you want to become the next breakthrough in the worldwide energy supply, Petroleum Engineering is the right choice for you.

Some of the interesting career facts for Petroleum Engineering scope in India are mentioned below:

• As per the employment report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the earning opportunities for Petroleum Engineering graduates will increase between the years 2023 and 2033 as there will be more than 1,200 new job openings for petroleum engineers in the energy sector.
• Another report presents some interesting statistics that reveal that there will be an 8% growth in the employment of Petroleum Engineering professionals till 2031, which will significantly increase the earning potential.
• The average salary packages for petroleum engineers are quite decent, of around INR 8 LPA for professionals with less than 3 years of experience. Further, one can expect up to 20 LPA as they have some years of experience.
• There are more than 120 Petroleum Engineering colleges in India that offer a variety of diploma and degree courses to students and provide them with some excellent placement packages as potential recruiters visit the campus every year.

Top Petroleum Engineering Jobs in India

Petroleum Engineering provides numerous exciting employment opportunities in the oil and gas business. There are rewarding routes to explore within Petroleum Engineering, whether one is interested in the technical parts of drilling and reservoir management or the industry's economic and environmental implications. Students can explore any of the following job profiles:

Petroleum Engineering Jobs for Freshers	Job Description	Average Petroleum Engineering Salary
Production Engineers	Production engineers come into the picture after the drilling is completed. They monitor wells’ oil and gas production and figure out ways to increase the production.	INR 6.8 LPA
Reservoir Engineers	They determine reservoirs’ characteristics to recover oil or gas from underground deposits. They also figure out the methods to get the most oil or gas out of the reservoirs at lowest costs.	INR 20.2 LPA
Drilling Engineers	They find the way to gas wells or drill oil ensuring that the drilling process is safe, efficient, and minimally disruptive to the environment.	INR 14.5 LPA
Project Managers	Project managers are in charge of all areas of Petroleum Engineering projects, such as budgeting, scheduling, extraction, and team coordination.	INR 8 LPA
Completion Engineers	They look after the building of wells for the flow of oil or gas from underground. Building wells might involve the usage of tubing, hydraulic fracturing, or pressure-control techniques.	INR 5 LPA
Well Testing Engineers	Engineers that perform well testing perform tests on wells to determine their production and reservoir features. They use data analysis to give recommendations for improving well performance.	INR 5 LPA

Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.

Useful Link for Career in Engineering:

Engineering Career Scope

Emerging Trends in Petroleum Engineering Careers in India

Petroleum engineers work hard to maintain our current energy assets and develop new assets in a carbon-friendly way. It is extremely crucial for petroleum engineers to know about the rising trends in the field so as to make use of them to enhance their productivity and performance. Some of the popular emerging trends are given below:

• Digital Oil Fields: Digital Oil Fields (DOF) basically refer to the trend of using advanced sensor technology, data science knowledge, AI, and IoT to enhance oil and gas production. This technology helps in the remote monitoring of the oilfields and extraction of previous data records for petroleum engineers to enhance exploration and predict productivity maximization at lower costs.
• Renewable Energy Integration:Exploring the integration of renewable energy sources within traditional oil and gas production methods to mitigate environmental impacts, optimize the utilization of resources, and enhance energy security.
• Smart Sensor Wearable Devices: Sensor-rich clothing, helmets, and glasses help employers monitor their workers’ health while they are working in the oil fields. Especially for workers working in remote locations, GPS tracking and SOS alert features can turn out to be life-saving.
• Seismic Imaging and Interpretation: This technology helps in collecting large amounts of seismic data, presenting 3D subsurface images that enable companies to better plan their drilling techniques and identify potential drilling locations to increase productivity.

Petroleum Engineering Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education

India's growing energy needs and focus on domestic oil and gas production are driving the demand for skilled petroleum engineers. Graduates in the field can explore multiple career options after completing Petroleum Engineering courses. There are a plethora of Petroleum Engineering job opportunities for freshers that lead to their overall growth and skill enhancement. Students can either pursue higher education after their undergraduate degree course or enter the workforce.

Courses after Graduation in Petroleum Engineering

Students in India with a Petroleum Engineering degree or even a well-settled job in the energy sector have various options to advance their professional career and areas of expertise. Following are some of the course options, they may choose after completing B.E/ BTech in Petroleum Engineering:

Courses	Course Description
M.Tech in Petroleum Engineering/ Petrochemical Engineering	This is a two-year postgraduate level course where students get exposed to the detailed theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in a particular area within Petroleum Engineering like Drilling Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, etc. This could get students high-paying jobs in the energy sector.
Advanced Diploma in Oil and Gas Engineering	This is a one-year professional course for providing detailed information regarding all Petroleum Engineering related verticals, including cutting-edge technologies and trends used to enhance the oil and gas production.
Specialized Certificate Courses in Petroleum Engineering	These specialized short-term courses can lead to advancement in career prospects with advanced-level technical expertise and analytical aptitude. These courses are designed for working professionals who seek fast-track training to enhance their earning potential.

Petroleum Engineering Core Industries & Top Recruiters

Petroleum Engineering graduates are still in high demand in the oil and gas industry, but there is now a growing demand for their expertise in environmental protection, renewable energy, and sustainability.  Petroleum Engineering students have numerous employment options in the oil and gas industry and allied industries. Finally, the industry and professional path chosen are determined by the individual's interests, skills, and career aspirations.The following are some of the top hiring sectors for Petroleum Engineering students:

Core Industries
Academia and Research Institutions	Renewable Energy Companies
Oil and Gas Consultancies	Government Agencies
Refining and Petrochemical Companies	Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Companies

Here are some of the top recruiting companies for Petroleum Engineering professionals in each sector:

Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Companies
ONGC	Reliance Industries Limited	Oil India Limited
Vedanta Limited	Cairn India Limited	ExxonMobil
Oil and Gas Services and Technology Companies
Schlumberger	Halliburton	Baker Hughes
Saipem	TechnipFMC	Weatherford
Refining and Petrochemicals Companies
Reliance Industries Ltd	Indian Oil Corporation Limited	Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
HPCL	Nayara Energy Limited	CPCL
Government and Regulatory Bodies
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas	Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board	Oil Industry Safety Directorate
Directorate General of Hydrocarbons	International Energy Agency	OPEC

Note: This information is taken from external sites, and hence may vary.

Best Petroleum Engineering Colleges for Placements in India

Placement opportunities and average package offered by recruiters are two important factors which should be kept in mind before deciding a college for pursuing Petroleum Engineering. The colleges offering top placement opportunities to Petroleum Engineering graduates along with the average package are given below:

Top Petroleum Engineering Colleges for Placements	Average Package Offered
IIT Bombay Placements	INR 17.92 LPA
IIT Dhanbad Placements	INR 9-15 LPA
IIT Guwahati Placements	INR 6.5 LPA
IIT Madras Placements	INR 17 LPA
Graphic Era Deemed to be University Placements	INR 7.25 LPA
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology Placements	INR 5.5-7.98 LPA
DIT University, Dehradun Placements	INR 5 LPA
MIT-WPU Placements	INR 4.53-6 LPA

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counseling body and may vary.

Following are the most popular Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India. Learn more about these Petroleum Engineering colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the top exams for Petroleum Engineering. Students interested in pursuing a career on Petroleum Engineering, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Following are the most popular Petroleum Engineering courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Petroleum Engineering.

Following are the most popular Petroleum Engineering UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Petroleum Engineering PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.