O*NET-SOC 17-2171.00

Petroleum Engineers

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.008/2020
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2020
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.8808/2020
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i3.8808/2020
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e3.8808/2020
Speaking2.A.1.d3.8808/2020

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2020
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.008/2020
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2020
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2020
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2020
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.008/2020

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.Core5808/2020
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.Core5808/2020
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.Core5808/2020
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.Core5808/2020
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.Core5808/2020

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.4511/2023
Investigative5.2511/2023
Conventional4.4111/2023
Enterprising2.911/2023
Artistic1.9111/2023
Social1.811/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.