Types of Engineers

Nuclear

Do you like chemistry?

Nuclear engineers develop the methods, instruments, and systems to harness the power of nuclear energy and radiation. They search for efficient ways to capture and put to beneficial use the tiny natural bursts of energy from a disintegrating atom. They may work in production and transport of fuel, operation and monitoring of nuclear power stations, or disposal and containment of nuclear waste. While there are some risks to working with radioactive material, there are excellent safety procedures to minimize those risks. As a nuclear engineer in the energy sector, you may…

• Develop designs for nuclear plants for electric power and ships
• Operate and support nuclear energy systems to reduce environmental pollution
• Develop and apply regulations to ensure safety in handling radiation sources and operating nuclear systems
• Research and design fusion reactor systems

Production

Do you like physics?

The production engineer works to analyze, interpret, and optimize the performance of individual wells drilled for petroleum. The production engineer is responsible for determining how to bring hydrocarbons to the surface. The production engineer will determine the most efficient means to develop the field considering the viscosity of the crude oil, the gas-to-oil ratio, the depth and type of formation, and the project economics. The production engineer is also responsible for developing a system of surface equipment that will separate the oil, gas, and water. As the field matures, the production engineer will be responsible for exploring additional technologies to enhance production from wells that are declining. In doing so, the production engineer will work closely with reservoir engineers and those in other disciplines to determine the optimal approach for that particular field.

Reservoir

Do you like math?

Reservoir engineers are responsible for estimating the amount of oil or gas that can be recovered from a reservoir. They determine the fluid and pressure distributions throughout the reservoir, the natural energy sources available, and the methods most useful in recovering the maximum amount of oil or gas from the reservoir. The reservoir engineer may develop complex computer-based mathematical programs to model the fluid flow and formation pressures. Making good estimates of recoverable resources is crucial to a company’s financial position since future recovery is a measure often used by bankers and financial analysts of a company’s borrowing power and future worth.