Career Episode Sample for Petroleum Engineers (ANZSCO 233612)

A Petroleum Engineer analyses geological data and designs extraction systems to maximise hydrocarbon recovery. The samples show how engineers use mathematical modelling and scientific methods to develop processes, ensure safety compliance, and manage drilling equipment.

You must write the career episodes in English and your own words. Do not copy and paste from samples. The samples are to help you understand how to approach the career episodes and what you need to add in them. It is crucial to number each paragraph in 1.1, 1.2 format. Here’s a sample to help you understand how to write the career episodes.

Project Name: Optimisation of Hydraulic Fracturing Design for Tight Gas Reservoirs

This first career episode details a project completed during the author’s undergraduate final year in the petroleum engineering program.

• Responsibility included conducting geomechanical modelling to determine rock stress profiles and brittleness.
• Analysed reservoir rock properties to select optimal proppant types and fracturing fluid viscosity.
• Developed and simulated fracture geometry models using FracPro software to maximise stimulated reservoir volume.
• Coordinated with the drilling team to execute the pumping schedule while monitoring treating pressures in real-time.
• Documented post-fracture production rates and calculated the skin factor improvement.

Skills & Technologies Demonstrated: FracPro, Rock Mechanics, Reservoir Stimulation, nodal analysis, technical reporting, data-driven decision making.

Project Name: Design and Implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) Techniques

This second career episode details a project undertaken during the author’s tenure as a Drilling Engineer at a major offshore exploration firm.

• Responsibility included calculating the drilling window by analysing pore pressure and fracture gradients.
• Designed the hydraulic limits and selected appropriate Rotating Control Devices (RCD) and automated choke systems.
• Simulated equivalent circulating density (ECD) profiles using Drillbench software to prevent formation influxes.
• Coordinated with rig crews to implement Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP) methods during drilling operations.
• Analysed real-time drilling data to navigate narrow pressure margins and reduce non-productive time successfully.

Skills & Technologies Demonstrated: Drillbench, Landmark COMPASS, Well Control, Drilling Hydraulics, MPD operations, operational safety management.

Project Name: Well Integrity Management System (WIMS) Implementation for Aging Assets

This third career episode details a project completed while working as a Senior Production Engineer managing mature fields.

• Responsibility included conducting risk assessments of well barriers for aging well stock in accordance with API and NORSOK standards.
• Analysed annular pressure buildup trends and interpreted cement bond logs (CBL/VDL) to identify leak paths.
• Developed remediation plans for wells with sustained casing pressure (SCP), including calculating kill fluid densities.
• Led the migration of manual well data into a digital WIMS software platform to automate risk flagging.
• Documented compliance reports and presented integrity status updates to regulatory bodies and stakeholders.

Skills & Technologies Demonstrated: Synergi Life, Risk Assessment, Corrosion Management, Well Barrier Schematics, Regulatory Compliance, Asset Integrity Management.