Post job

What does a petroleum geologist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A Petroleum Geologist is responsible for the extraction and estimation of oil, gas, and other combustible resources. They estimate the depth, quality, and vastness of deposits using a wide range of sophisticated technologies.

On this page

Petroleum geologist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real petroleum geologist resumes:

  • Manage the installation of geophones, tiltmeters, inclinometers, passive vent wells, gas caps, and ORWs.
  • Review farm-out requests, prepare well prognoses, monitor area-drilling activity, and conduct miscellaneous well-site activities in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Used PowerPoint to effectively communicate technical information to geologists, engineers, and managers.

Petroleum geologist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Petroleum Geologists are proficient in Log Data, Well-Site, and GIS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Physical stamina, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Petroleum Geologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Log Data, 17%

    Integrated acoustic and neutron well-log data into static and dynamic basin models.

  • Well-Site, 14%

    Reviewed farm-out requests, prepared well prognoses, monitored area-drilling activity, and conducted miscellaneous well-site activities in Texas and Oklahoma.

  • GIS, 13%

    Job Description Creation of oilfield maps using arcview GIS 3.2.

  • Petra, 12%

    Correlated well logs using PETRA and other programs, and researched production zones for solid and fluid minerals.

  • Log Analysis, 9%

    Detailed Log Analysis and Cross Section Generation.

  • Petrel, 6%

    Updated Sangu PETREL model following drilling of three development wells.

Common skills that a petroleum geologist uses to do their job include "log data," "well-site," and "gis." You can find details on the most important petroleum geologist responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a petroleum geologist to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "geoscientists must be able to present their research findings clearly to a variety of audiences, including both scientists and those who do not have a background in geoscience." Petroleum geologists often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "ensured communication, coordination, and compliance with various regulatory agencies. "

Physical stamina. Another essential skill to perform petroleum geologist duties is physical stamina. Petroleum geologists responsibilities require that "geoscientists need to be physically fit because they may need to hike, sometimes to remote locations, while carrying equipment for fieldwork." Petroleum geologists also use physical stamina in their role according to a real resume snippet: "formulated and constructed projects to be drilled based from well log analysis, cross sections and geophysical tools. "

Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for petroleum geologists to perform their duties. For an example of how petroleum geologist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "geoscientists must be able to analyze statistical data and other information in order to address problems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a petroleum geologist: "vetted database exports, resolved assay and geological data qaqc issues and maintained the integrity of project data. ".

Most common petroleum geologist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable petroleum geologist resume templates

Build a professional petroleum geologist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your petroleum geologist resume.
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume
Petroleum Geologist Resume

Compare different petroleum geologists

Petroleum geologist vs. Geology internship

In a geology internship, an intern has the opportunity to gain insights and practical experience while performing various support tasks under the directives and supervision of a geologist or manager. Their duties typically include working on different projects, conducting research, doing fieldwork, gathering and analyzing samples, collecting photographs or videos as evidence, completing surveys and assessments, and producing reports, submitting them according to protocols and standards. Additionally, they also have clerical duties, such as handling calls and other forms of correspondence, preparing and processing paperwork, and running errands when necessary.

If we compare the average petroleum geologist annual salary with that of a geology internship, we find that geology interns typically earn a $2,334 lower salary than petroleum geologists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both petroleum geologist and geology internship positions are skilled in gis, petra, and log analysis.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a petroleum geologist are more likely to require skills like "log data," "well-site," "onshore," and "data management." On the other hand, a job as a geology internship requires skills like "database management," "gps," "arcgis," and "geotechnical." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Geology interns tend to reach lower levels of education than petroleum geologists. In fact, geology interns are 8.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Petroleum geologist vs. Geophysicist

A Geophysicist studies the Earth's physical properties. They also examine the effects of the atmosphere on radio and satellite communications.

A career as a geophysicist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a petroleum geologist. In fact, geophysicists salary is $6,507 lower than the salary of petroleum geologists per year.A few skills overlap for petroleum geologists and geophysicists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "log data," "gis," and "petrel. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real petroleum geologist resumes. While petroleum geologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "well-site," "petra," "log analysis," and "onshore," geophysicists use skills like "data collection," "geophysical data," "c++," and "r."

Geophysicists earn a lower average salary than petroleum geologists. But geophysicists earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $125,764. Additionally, petroleum geologists earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $135,348 annually.geophysicists earn similar levels of education than petroleum geologists in general. They're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Petroleum geologist vs. Geoscientist

A geoscientist specializes in studying geosciences and performing research and analysis. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around crafting research plans, conducting field mapping and studies to examine geological structures, gathering samples, obtaining photographic evidence, and conducting different experiments and scientific studies. As a geoscientist, it is essential to maintain an extensive record of data, summarize results in reports and presentations, and collaborate with different scientists. They may publish their studies in various publications, utilize them for other projects and programs, or raise public awareness.

On average, geoscientists earn lower salaries than petroleum geologists, with a $945 difference per year.By looking over several petroleum geologists and geoscientists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "log data," "gis," and "petra." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a petroleum geologist is likely to be skilled in "well-site," "jv," "dome," and "proactive," while a typical geoscientist is skilled in "seismic data," "oil gas," "data collection," and "geotechnical."

Geoscientists earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $128,564. Petroleum geologists earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $135,348.When it comes to education, geoscientists tend to earn higher degree levels compared to petroleum geologists. In fact, they're 7.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Petroleum geologist vs. Geological specialist

Geological specialists average a lower salary than the annual salary of petroleum geologists. The difference is about $48,315 per year.While both petroleum geologists and geological specialists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like gis, data analysis, and analyze data, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between petroleum geologists and geological specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a petroleum geologist might have more use for skills like "log data," "well-site," "petra," and "log analysis." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of geological specialists require skills like "technical support," "meeting materials," "geotechnical," and "autocad. "

In general, geological specialists hold similar degree levels compared to petroleum geologists. Geological specialists are 1.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 4.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of petroleum geologist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs