Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Petroleum Geology Career

I am an AS student and I know I definitely want to do Geology at university. I don't know what area I want to go into, but petroleum geology really appeals to me in terms of the science behind it. Oil companies haven't really got a good reputation for being ethical, but I was wondering what people's views are on the subject. I am interested in the geology behind oil forming and the processes but feel annoyed at how I could be helping continue the oil exportation and reliance on fossil fuels. What would you say for me to do?

Reply 1

alex p

I don't see how any one could see contribution to the reliance on fossil fuels a problem. We are going to use everything there is. There are very limited supplies left. It's inevitible. The real people that are doing this are the people who use it, not those who work to find it.

Personally I wasn't that interested in petroleum geology or economic mineralology. Dinosaurs are far more interesting.

Reply 2

SamPryce

I'm currently in year 12 and have also been looking at this as a career. I think it's a good time to enter the area as it is a current issue as we start to run out of the resources :smile:

plays oil companies will pay very well and internships are very available.

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Reply 3

clareramos

I would see if you can do a joint degree, and include GIS, will help you massively. Geology is using a lot of GIS now, and actually some people with just a GIS degree, stand more of a chance at getting some geological jobs than geologists.

Reply 4

Inglenook

Petroleum geology does pay well, though it can be challenging to get on to grad schemes with big companies (e.g. Exxon, BP etc) and if you want to go for these, an MSc in Petroleum Geoscience or similar will give you the best possible chance (along with as much experience as you can wrangle). That's not to say you can't do it with just a BSc though!

If you're more concerned about the environmental side a few big energy companies also do some renewables work - I spoke to someone a while back who worked in CCS (carbon capture and storage) for BP.

I don't know much about GIS, but I wasn't aware you needed to do a degree in it? We used GIS within my degree and the undergrads where I am now are taught GIS. I don't think it's that tough to learn.

Also, don't worry about not knowing what you want to do at this stage - I changed my mind halfway through my final year. (I was going for oil and energy too!)

Reply 5

clareramos

I didn't say degree in GIS, I said joint, which do exist, and with universities now there is far more GIS modules appearing in general degrees, so it's becoming less needed.

The basics of GIS isn't hard to learn, but I know several lecturers in GIS, I tend to lecture more geography, and some of their stuff is hard for a standard geographer/earth scientist.

Reply 6

username269765

Doing a Geology degree will keep your options open right up until 4th year. I'm in my last semester studying Geology and the class I'm in are about to graduate into a whole array of careers; from engineers, mining, oil and environmental. Go and enjoy your geology degree and you'll find out during it exactly what you enjoy and want to focus on at the end! :smile:

My geology degree contained modules in GIS and if you want to go into the environmental sector it's a super useful skill to make you stand out. Take the opportunity to get involved in it if you can.

Reply 7

notsure

I'd really live to study geology but the but I'm worried the A-levels I've chosen are just going to lower my chances of getting into a decent uni......thinking of doing a foundation in geology?? Worth it?

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Reply 8

notsure

Woah, quick reply :biggrin:

Fine art
Geography
Biology
Graphic design

.....wanted to do a creative art degree of some sort :/

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Reply 9

clareramos

For geology, geography will help you, and uni's know that not everywhere does geology. The biology may help, not sure, geology isn't my specialist area. you thought about geography and geology as you stand a much better chance with that.

Are you AS and looking to drop one as if you want to do geology, drop either of the art subjects.

Reply 10

notsure

Original post by clareramos

Yeah I'm planning on dropping one of the arts. I feel like crap atm because Im aware of the competition and the fact that my a-levels are not much help :frown: