Petroleum engineering is a diverse field that includes many specialties. Some petroleum engineers work on political projects to gain access to natural resources, while others create financial instruments and perform analyses. Some petroleum engineers specialize in the extraction of oil and gas, while others are involved with the development of alternative fuel sources.

Petroleum engineers are highly sought-after and, as a result, command high salaries.Petroleum engineers apply science and mathematics to solve problems in the production and distribution of oil, gas, and other hydrocarbon products.

The basic job of all engineers is figuring out how to use the laws of nature for their purposes. They design systems that convert one kind of energy into another, or design a device like an airplane wing so it will move through the air as easily as possible.

A petroleum engineer often has a difficult job, generally far from the office and laboratory. Because oil is a precious natural resource, engineers who specialize in obtaining it must be knowledgeable and responsible. They work mainly in the petroleum industry, although many engineers also work for public service organizations concerned with energy development. Petroleum engineers enjoy applying scientific methods to their work because they may use computing power, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science methods to solve problems.