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Studies & Degrees in Oil and Gas Technology

Oil and gas technology is the applied study of how crude oil and natural gas are found, brought to the surface, processed and transported. It sits between geology and engineering. Students learn how reservoirs form in rock, how wells are drilled and completed, how production is measured and kept safe, and how gas and liquids are treated in processing plants.

The field has two levels. Technicians operate and monitor equipment, take samples and record data. Engineers design the wells and the facilities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes petroleum engineers as people who devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production, and notes that geological technicians help identify locations that are suitable for oil and gas wells.

Qualifications and levels

The route depends on the job a student wants.

  • Technician and operator programmes. According to the BLS, geological technicians typically need at least an associate's degree in applied science or a science-related technology, and most students take courses in geology, mathematics, computer science, chemistry and physics. Community colleges also train plant and process operators. The Plant Operations programme of Western Wyoming Community College, for example, prepares students for entry-level work as plant or process operators in industries that include natural gas processing and chemical refining.
  • Bachelor's degrees in engineering. Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil or chemical engineering. Programmes combine academic, laboratory and field work in subjects such as engineering principles, geology and thermodynamics. The University of Calgary offers Oil and Gas Engineering as a Bachelor of Science in Engineering; students can add a paid work placement of 12 to 16 months.
  • Master's degrees. Some universities in the United States offer a five-year programme that leads to both a bachelor's and a master's degree, the BLS notes.

Course content is changing. The Calgary degree covers the current oil and gas industry and also newer areas such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, geothermal energy, critical minerals and water management. The BLS lists similar specialities for engineers who use their knowledge of underground formations outside oil and gas.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists two active schools for oil and gas technology: one in the United States and one in Canada. Western Wyoming Community College is a public two-year college in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The University of Calgary is a public university in Calgary, Alberta. Both teach in English.

Programmes in this field are usually found close to the industry, because students need access to plants, field sites and employers for practical training. Before applying, check three things with the school: the exact name and level of the qualification, how much practical or paid work experience is included, and the English-language requirement for international students.

Careers

Graduates of technician programmes work as plant or process operators, field technicians and laboratory technicians. Engineering graduates work as drilling, completions, production or reservoir engineers. At Calgary, the university says the work could include evaluating reservoirs, overseeing drilling operations or designing hydrocarbon production and treatment facilities. Engineers may travel offshore, to remote areas or to international locations, sometimes for long periods.

The US figures show a small and stable profession. Petroleum engineers held about 18,500 jobs in the United States in 2025, and the BLS projects employment to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations, with about 1,000 openings a year. Geological technicians (other than hydrologic technicians) held about 7,300 jobs in 2025, 31 percent of them in mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction. A licence is not required for entry-level petroleum engineering positions in the United States; experienced engineers may later obtain a Professional Engineer licence.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a university degree to work in oil and gas?

Not for every job. According to the BLS, technicians typically enter with an associate's degree or two years of post-secondary training, while petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor's degree.

What is the difference between oil and gas technology and petroleum engineering?

Technology programmes train technicians and operators who run and monitor equipment. Engineering degrees train the people who design wells, drilling plans and production facilities.

Is the subject only about oil and gas?

No. The Oil and Gas Engineering degree at the University of Calgary also covers carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and geothermal energy, and the BLS names the same areas as specialities for petroleum engineers.

What is the job outlook?

In the United States, the BLS projects employment of petroleum engineers to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who leave the occupation.