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Petroleum geologist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Loren Babcock PhD,

Dr. Kraig Derstler

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical petroleum geologist skills. We ranked the top skills for petroleum geologists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.6% of petroleum geologist resumes contained log data as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a petroleum geologist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 petroleum geologist skills for your resume and career

1. Log Data

Here's how petroleum geologists use log data:

Integrated acoustic and neutron well-log data into static and dynamic basin models.
Evaluated well site core and electric log data for determination of productive reservoir zones.

2. Well-Site

Here's how petroleum geologists use well-site:

Reviewed farm-out requests, prepared well prognoses, monitored area-drilling activity, and conducted miscellaneous well-site activities in Texas and Oklahoma.
Developed and syndicated oil and gas drilling and development projects Performed well-site geological evaluations

3. GIS

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for capturing, storing, manipulating, analyzing, managing and presenting various forms of geographic data.

Here's how petroleum geologists use gis:

Job Description Creation of oilfield maps using arcview GIS 3.2.
Collected soil survey samples and generated isopach maps using Arcview GIS and Surfer.

4. Petra

Here's how petroleum geologists use petra:

Correlated well logs using PETRA and other programs, and researched production zones for solid and fluid minerals.
Utilized Petra software to assess oil and gas leases.

5. Log Analysis

Here's how petroleum geologists use log analysis:

Detailed Log Analysis and Cross Section Generation.
Conducted well log analysis and correlation, constructed structural and isopach maps of the surrounding area to generate additional prospects.

6. Petrel

Petrel is a software program used for the exploration and production processes of the petroleum sector. Petrel was released on 26th July 2015 by Schlumberger. It allows the user to build various reservoir models, calculate the capacity, produce maps, and design development strategies so the reservoir can function at its maximum potential. The software's additional advantage is that it allows managing risk and uncertainty throughout the reservoir's life.

Here's how petroleum geologists use petrel:

Updated Sangu PETREL model following drilling of three development wells.
Build / maintain Geological static models for three tight gas unconventional fields using Petrel.

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7. Onshore

Here's how petroleum geologists use onshore:

Provided Onshore and Offshore (Oligocene through Miocene) Louisiana Project Guidance and Leadership.
Completed geologic and stratigraphic studies of several onshore Alaska petroleum provinces.

8. Production Data

Production data is the data stored and used by business owners to conduct business. Production data must be accurate, well documented, and readily available as it is essential to completing day-to-day business tasks and processes.

Here's how petroleum geologists use production data:

Determined where competitor wells landed within geologic zones and analyzed competitor production data for each specific zone.
Analyzed and interpreted production data for the identification and planning of potential risk associated with production.

9. Data Management

The administrative process that involves collecting and keeping the data safely and cost-effectively is called data management. Data management is a growing field as companies rely on it to store their intangible assets securely to create value. Efficient data management helps a company use the data to make better business decisions.

Here's how petroleum geologists use data management:

Acquired hands on experience in exploration and field development operations, data management, EIA and PSC reporting.
Supported numerous incident response efforts with spatial analysis and data management, including hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

10. Data Analysis

Here's how petroleum geologists use data analysis:

Created and maintained a database that for data analysis and mining to evaluate business opportunities.
Supervised exploratory drilling operations, including field geology and geological data analysis/interpretation.

11. CO2

Here's how petroleum geologists use co2:

Team Lead and Manager for Geology * Development Geologist for CO2 source field, Montezuma County, Colorado.
Fracture characterization and CO2 flood analysis, Rocky Mountain Oil Project, described >3000 ft of cores.

12. JV

JV stands for "joint venture," which is an agreement between at least two parties - individuals or entities - to come together and accomplish a specific idea. This idea can be anything from a smaller project to establishing a separate business. For instance, a start-up with an innovative product may partner with a sales or marketing company to promote the new product, the sales of which would be shared between both companies.

Here's how petroleum geologists use jv:

Attended JV and JRC/JMC technical meetings ensuring technical reporting requirements are met.
Acted as the liaison between Rex and its JV partners on drilling and geology operations.

13. Log Correlation

Here's how petroleum geologists use log correlation:

Supported active deep drilling well by mapping regionally to assist in electric log correlation.
Completed a subsurface mapping project which included log correlation, structure and stratigraphic mapping.

14. Dome

Here's how petroleum geologists use dome:

Assigned to a team assembled to analyze a rapidly developing salt dome caprock play.

15. Data Interpretation

Here's how petroleum geologists use data interpretation:

Collaborated with team members on selecting lateral perforation position from data interpretation.
Trained two geologists to use computer-modeling software and data interpretation techniques.

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What skills help Petroleum Geologists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What petroleum geologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Loren Babcock PhD

Professor, School of Earth Sciences and Director, Orton Geological Museum, Ohio State University

Geologic work forms much of the foundation for the global economy. Almost everything we use, and some of what we eat, has come from the Earth. If it was not grown, it had to be mined. Geologists are responsible for producing most of the basic resources that we use every day. Some of these resources are scarce, and it requires the work of geologists to explore for new sources, and to responsibly exploit them. Geologists also are needed to ensure that our environment remains safe for habitation, and where resources have been removed, to ensure that the land will be reclaimed. In general, professional jobs in geology are well compensated.

What type of skills will young petroleum geologists need?

Dr. Kraig Derstler

Associate Professor, University of New Orleans

Fewer and fewer geologists are finding professional rock/fossil/stratigraphy jobs. Meanwhile, environmental positions are expanding. In both areas, employers are asking that graduates seeking technical positions have a solid background in basic science and math (physics beyond Newtonian mechanics, chemistry, biology, calculus, basic computer skills and familiarity with Adobe and MS packages, plus GIS software). For professionals, they want the same, plus improved skills in oral and written communication, basic business background, and leadership skills.

What technical skills for a petroleum geologist stand out to employers?

Dr. Camelia Knapp Ph.D.

Professor and Head, Oklahoma State University

Quantitative reasoning and computational skills are becoming increasingly prevalent for employers hiring Geoscientists. With larger datasets and technological computational and technological advances, there will be an increased need for employees who are good at math, physics, and computation. In addition, communication skills, team building orientation, managerial/ business skills are necessary with increased workforce diversity and more interdisciplinary projects. Data analytics and machine learning are becoming increasingly popular. In addition, employers in our discipline look for deep technical knowledge in the field of choice (geophysics, geochemistry, sed-strat, etc.) and field experience.

Do you want to know more?

List of petroleum geologist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a petroleum geologist resume and required skills for a petroleum geologist to have include:

Log Data
Well-Site
GIS
Petra
Log Analysis

Petrel
Onshore
Production Data
Data Management
Data Analysis

CO2
JV
Log Correlation
Dome
Data Interpretation

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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