Oil & Gas INDUSTRY
An important industry that benefits our lives
Energy, fuel and raw materials
The UK oil and gas industry benefits our
lives and helps modern society in many
ways. It supplies energy to power industry
and heat homes, fuels transport to carry
goods and people all over the world and
provides the raw materials used in many
everyday items.
Through its extensive supply chain, it
employs hundreds of thousands of people
and makes a major contribution to the
UK economy in terms of tax revenues,
technologies and exports.
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION (E&P)
UPSTREAm, MIDSTREAM & DOWNSTREAM
The oil and gas industry deals with the extraction
of natural oil and gas from land (onshore) or sea
(offshore). Before an exploration well is drilled
offshore, vessels scan the seabed and collect
seismic data which indicates the location of rock
formations likely to contain oil or gas. The only
sure way to confirm the presence of hydrocarbon
traps is to drill a well. Firstly the company must
obtain the rights from the country in whose
waters or land the drill site lies.
The petroleum industry is usually divided into
three major components: upstream, midstream
and downstream. The upstream oil sector is
also commonly known as the exploration and
production (E&P) sector.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Inspection, Repair
and Maintenance
Accommodation
CATERING
Where does oil and gas come from?
Remains of plants and organisms
Oil and gas are hydrocarbons formed from
the remains of plants and animals, trapped
within layers of sediment up to 300 million
years old.
These liquid hydrocarbons seeped
gradually through porous rock until they
reached an impervious layer and became
trapped, forming an oil or gas field.
Discover more at www.oilandgasuk.co.uk
WHO WORKS OFFSHORE?
Careers in the offshore industry are varied.
Reaching the offshore installation you’re working
on generally involves flying by helicopter. Some
of the roles include:
• Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)
• Health and Safety Advisor
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Materials Controller
• Pipefitter
• Offshore Steward
• Production Supervisor
• Roustabout
• Reservoir Engineer
• Well Test Engineer
• Drilling Engineer
• Subsea Engineer
• Medic
Oil in different parts of the world contains
different proportions of the various
hydrocarbons. UK offshore is relatively
high in naphtha, which is used for making
plastics and also for many of the refining
processes that convert crude oil into its
component parts.
HIGHEST BOILING POINT
Residue
Fuel oil
Lubricating oils
Diesel oils
Kerosine
Gasoline
Naphtha
Gases
LOWEST BOILING POINT
EXAMPLE OF USE
Road surfaces, roofing
Fuel for ships, heating
Machine oil, waxes
Diesel fuel
Jet fuel, paraffin
Petrol for vehicles
Plastics, clothing
Camping stoves and
lighter fuel
Floating production
storage and offloading
CHEMISTS
REFINING
In the home
Contact lenses, lipstick, cosmetics,
clothing, fabrics, nail polish,
deodorants, shampoo, paint,
upholstery and carpets, washing up
and laundry detergents, non-stick
pans, cling film, storage containers,
shopping bags, credit cards, plastic
milk bottles
The future of the industry
Petroleum is vital to the maintenance of
industrial civilisation and is a critical concern
for many nations.
Oil and gas accounts for a large percentage
of the world’s energy consumption and
energy is at the core of everything we do in
our everyday lives. It will continue to open
up a new era of career prospects for many
decades to come.
Even so, there is a growing interest and
awareness around decommissioning,
sustainability and renewables. Technological
advancements and innovations in the
industry mean resources are being used up
more slowly and efficiently.
The industry is committed to attracting
new talent with fresh ideas, and RGU is
committed to providing courses to equip our
students with practical and transferable skills
for full-time employment in any sector.
GAS PLANTS
SUPPLY Boats
DRILL STRING
oil and gas well
LAND RIGS
WHO WORKS ONSHORE?
ONSHORE
DECOMMISSIONING
Pipelines
PROCESSING
When you produce oil it’s often mixed with
water and gas. This has to be separated out in
big tanks offshore to stabilise them before it
can be transported anywhere. As the oilfield
gets depleted there is more water and gas to be
managed and the pressure drops. More water
(and gas) gets pumped back into the reservoir
to increase the pressure and recover more oil.
There is a lot of science and engineering behind
the scenes to keep it going and lots of exiting
new technology.
Oil has more uses than just fuel for cars:
For your health
Coatings for pills, binding agents,
disposable syringes
Some oil and gas hotspots include Norway,
America, Mexico, Canada, The Middle East,
Australia, South East Asia, Africa, Russia and
Kazakhstan.
processing
EVERYDAY USES FOR OIL
At school
Rulers, pens, crayons, inks, glue,
coverings on books, binders, chairs
GLOBAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The oil and gas industry includes a wide
spectrum of careers. Most people think of oil
and gas as offshore or onshore installations.
Yet the commercial and administrative
functions provide the support system which
keeps businesses ticking over. So you could
find yourself in a commercial discipline as easily
as a technical one.
The oil and gas industry is a global industry,
providing the potential to work anywhere in
the world.
DRILL FLOOR
Discover more careers overleaf or go to the
careers section on our website:
www.rgu.ac.uk/careers
WHAT’s IN OIL?
Working offshore can be a potentially
hazardous and dangerous environment so
safety is a top priority for those who operate
in harsh conditions. The oil and gas industry
is one of the most highly regulated industries
in the world when it comes to safety and
consequently there are a number of career
opportunities in health and safety roles.
HELIDECK
SUBSEA
CHRISTMAS TREES
UMBILICALS DIVERS
FLOWLINES ROVS
risers
What is OIL & GAS?
OFFSHORE
BLOW OUT
PREVENTORS
HEALTH & SAFETY
In the office
Computer hardware, phones, CDs
On the move
Petrol and diesel for cars and lorries,
emergency service vehicles and trains,
asphalt road surfaces
At your leisure
Artists’ paint, bicycle handlebar grips,
tyres, crash helmets, football boots,
trainers, shin pads, surfboards,
roller blades
In the garden
Fertilisers, pesticides, garden furniture
• Sales and marketing staff
• Purchasers and buyers
• Lawyers and tax advisors
• Project managers
• IT consultants
• Accountants and financal managers
• Human resource managers
• Corporate responsibility managers
• Operation planners
TRANSPORTATION
LOGISTICS
OPERATIONS
PETROL
STATION
Quick FACTS
OIL AND GAS TERMS
WHAT’s the difference between an
oil rig and an oil platform?
The sector uses unique terms to describe
technical equipment and processes
Oil rigs are used to drill wells. Oil platforms are
usually more permanent structures that are
bigger and are used to extract and process the
oil and gas.
JACKET
The legs an oil or gas
platform stands on in
the sea.
MUD, Glorious MUD!
Drillers use a type of fluid called drilling mud
to remove cuttings (bits of stone cut out of
the rock). The mud also controls the pressure,
holds back the walls of the well and cools the
drilling equipment as it spins and cuts through
the rock.
ROUND THE BEND
Oil firms use complex computer systems,
sensors and positioning tools to drill thousands
of metres beneath the sea, and can go around
corners – not just in straight lines.
DOGHOUSE
WILD CAT
A shelter on the rig that
acts as a multi-purpose
office and storage area for
the driller and his crew.
A well that is
speculatively drilled to
try to find oil and gas.
See more at www.rgu.ac.uk/oil-lingo
CONSUMERS
USEFUL INFORMATION
See more at www.rgu.ac.uk/oilgasguide
Careers advice
www.rgu.ac.uk/careers
School of Engineering courses
www.rgu.ac.uk/engineering
Aberdeen Business School courses
www.rgu.ac.uk/abs
Visit RGU’s Garthdee campus
To arrange a visit to the Garthdee campus
go to www.rgu.ac.uk/visit-us
Speak to an expert in oil and gas
Contact our Oil and Gas Institute
www.rgu.ac.uk/ogi
Get the lowdown on the industry
www.myoilandgascareer.com/life-in-oil-gas
RGU undergraduate admissions team
[email protected]
Petroleum Geologists
Find hydrocarbons by analysing
subsurface structures with geological
and geophysical methods.
Careers in oil and gas are diverse and
the industry is renowned for innovation.
The sector employs many engineers
and offshore workers, but most work
within the supply chain – the network of
businesses who work to keep everything
running smoothly.
Engineering is about resolving complex
problems and designing the essential
products and services that we all use every
day. If you like to work methodically and
logically to solve problems and are good at
maths, engineering could be for you.
Usually the first step is to study an
undergraduate BEng (Hons) and MEng
qualification such as:
A petroleum engineer is involved in nearly
all stages of oil and gas field evaluation,
development and production. The goal
of a petroleum engineer is to maximise
hydrocarbon recovery at a minimum cost
while reducing environmental problems.
Reservoir Engineers
Work to optimise production of oil
and gas via proper well placement,
production levels and enhanced oil
recovery techniques.
From energy and electrical, to mechanical
and renewables, engineering is a
springboard to a range of rewarding
careers that are well paid too.
• Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
They can include everything from medics,
occupational health professionals, project
managers, IT consultants, marketers,
accountants, lawyers, tax advisors,
designers, managers, chefs, health and
safety advisors, human resources (HR)
managers, welders, helicopter pilots and
all types of engineers.
You can choose to work in any number
of industries from automotive to
mechatronics; nanotechnology to power
generation; renewable energy to the oil
and gas industry and beyond!
•Mechanical Engineering
•Mechanical and Offshore Engineering
•Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Discover more about these courses,
including what you will study, entry
requirements, our riverside campus,
facilities and how to apply at:
www.rgu.ac.uk/engineering
Petroleum engineers are divided into
several groups: petroleum geologists,
reservoir engineers, production engineers
and drilling engineers.
They all work in multidisciplinary teams
alongside other engineers, scientists,
drilling teams and contractors.
Or email us at: [email protected]
Subsea engineers are involved in any
structural engineering taking place beneath
the surface of the sea. They design, build
and install mechanical systems used under
the ocean, such as underwater pipelines
and pumps, transportation equipment,
subsea wellheads and offshore drilling rigs.
They have a good working knowledge
of underwater equipment and vehicles.
They may also be involved in underwater
data collection using imaging technology
or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
to gather information, and might create
computer-aided design (CAD) models to
simulate and analyse potential problems of
designs (e.g. machine malfunction).
Asset Integrity Managers ensure an
asset performs effectively and efficiently
whilst protecting health, safety and the
environment. They make sure the people,
systems, processes and resources will
perform when required over the whole
lifecycle of the asset from the design of
new facilities to maintenance management
to decommissioning.
In addition to engineering, we offer a range
of courses which can lead to a job in oil and
gas, including:
www.rgu.ac.uk/visit-us
www.rgu.ac.uk/areas-of-study
www.rgu.ac.uk/careers
www.rgu.ac.uk/virtualtours
Visit us
Course options
Career advice
Virtual tours
quick links
+44 (0) 1224 262000
MAIn SWITCHBOARD
CONTACT US
www.rgu.ac.uk/oilgasguide
Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ
Undergraduate
COURSES
GARTHDEE CAMPUS LOCATION
Asset Integrity
Manager
@RobertGordonUni
#OilGasGuide
SUBSEA
ENGINEER
Asset Integrity Managers help companies
to be more socially responsible, look
after the safety of people, help prevent
environmental pollution and minimise
risks of disasters whilst assisting with the
company’s profitability.
Accounting and Finance
Tourism/Hospitality
Management
Law, Law and Management
International Business
Management
•The majority of our courses include a
placement or work-related experience
Master of Business
Administration (MBA)
Business Management
MBA Oil and Gas
Management
Commercial Practice
for the Energy Sectors
CSR and Energy
Data Science
MBA Information
Management
Occupational
Health Practice
Energy and Sustainability
Offshore Oil and
Gas Engineering
Energy Management
Offshore Renewables
Health Promotion and
Public Health
Oil and Gas Accounting
Health, Safety and Risk
Management
Oil and Gas Finance
Architectural Technology
Human Resource
Management (HRM)
Surveying
Marketing, Media,
Communications and PR
Applied Sport and
Exercise Science
Application Software
Development
Biomedical Sciences
Information and
Network Security
Business Information
Technology
Occupational Therapy
Information Management
Physiotherapy
IT for the Oil and
Gas Industry
Social Sciences
www.rgu.ac.uk/ugprospectus
RGU’s School of Engineering boasts
modern, purpose-built laboratories and
facilities, equipped with the very latest
engineering technology. This includes
our Wave Tank and a Remotely Operated
Underwater Vehicle (ROV) testing area.
•We help our graduates to develop their
skills and succeed in their careers
Postgraduate courses
Asset Integrity Management
Communication Design,
3D Design and
Product Design
We have 40 years’ experience of
providing specialist education for the
oil and gas sector.
•We work with companies to design and
develop courses with a real-world focus
masters COURSES
Drilling & Well Engineering
STATE-OF-THE-ART
FACILITIES
•We offer industry-relevant courses
which are professionally accredited
Drilling Engineers
Manage the technical aspects of drilling
both production and injection wells.
Computer Science and
Digital Media
employment
success
•We are the top UK uni for graduate
employment (HESA 2014)
Production Engineers
Manage the interface between the
reservoir and the well through such tasks
as perforations, sand control, artificial lift,
downhole flow control and downhole
monitoring equipment.
DART® at RGU
Dynamic Advanced Responsive Training
(DART®) is a joint-venture with KCA
Deutag. Our drilling simulator provides
real-time training within a virtual
environment. We offer a wide variety of
drilling courses and well control training
for postgraduates and corporate clients.
Find out more at www.rgu.ac.uk/dart
Human Resource
Management
Oil and Gas Engineering
Oil and Gas Law
Petroleum Production
Engineering
Project Management
Purchasing and Supply
Chain Management
Quality Management
Leadership and Management Subsea Engineering
POCKET GUIDE TO
PETROLEUM
ENGINEER
oil and gas
HOW DO I GET INTO
ENGINEERING?
the industry in a nutshell
Why be an
engineer?
with FOLD-OUT map, career options,
jargon buster, quick facts and more
Careers in oil
and gas
RGU has provided me with an
excellent platform to build my career.
During one of the many University
networking events I was approached
to apply for the ‘The Female
Undergraduate of the Year Awards’
sponsored by TargetJobs.
As I was a Top 10 Finalist, I was
offered a position at Rolls-Royce
for a summer internship.
This was an incredible experience
and the highlight was my visit
to their Shanghai, China and
Singapore sites. I also received a
BP Engineering Scholarship.
Laura Steedman
MEng Mechanical Engineering
CONTACT US
UNIVERSITY Main SWITCHBOARD
+44 (0) 1224 262000
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE ENQUIRIES
Call +44 (0) 1224 262728
Email [email protected]
Onlinewww.rgu.ac.uk/ugprospectus
POSTGRADUATE COURSE ENQUIRIES
Call +44 (0) 1224 262209
Email [email protected]
Onlinewww.rgu.ac.uk/better
Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ