Field Engineer in Oil and Gas – Skills and Salary

A career as a field engineer could be of interest to you if engineering is your thing. Working on a variety of technical engineering projects for different businesses may need this profession to be done outside. Finding out what this kind of job entails could help you determine if it’s the appropriate fit for you. Reporting on project sites and making sure everything is operating well and in accordance with the engineer’s designs are key responsibilities of the field engineer position.

In addition to serving as a service representative, he or she frequently continues to assist with equipment upkeep and repairs. We have covered every aspect about a field engineer in this article. An expert in equipment inspection and new technology installation is known as a field engineer.

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Introduction

Field Engineer in Oil and gas assist with the new equipment’s installation. Investigate and troubleshoot any issues that come up. Create solutions to issues with assurance and in a reasonable amount of time. Conduct regular examinations and safety assessments on our facilities and equipment.

Maintaining the integrity of the equipment utilised on site is part of the job description for a field engineer. It is his or her responsibility to test the machinery to make sure it satisfies safety requirements. A career as a field engineer requires on-site quality control work and activity monitoring.

What is Field Engineer in Oil and Gas

A career in field engineering entails a variety of duties. In order to comprehend the needs of the clients and other difficult challenges, he or she must interact with them. Researching and analysing the site are part of the job. He or she carries out engineering designs and oversees field operations.

A profession as a field engineer entails identifying issues with machinery and construction, as well as fixing malfunctions and other emergencies. He or she sets up gadgets and other apparatus. It takes a Field Engineer to manage and oversee the onsite staff and professionals. Additionally, he or she must write reports and provide them to higher authorities.

What does a field engineer do?

Installing equipment:

Field engineers are in charge of installing a variety of equipment, including fans, load followers, generators, pumps, compressors, and generators. They might also be needed to transport large machinery and equipment across the facility.

Repairing machinery:

Field engineers are skilled in fixing equipment composed of metal, rubber, and plastic, among other materials. Field engineers are capable of locating and fixing any damage or malfunctions in the machinery before they cause issues for the business.

Machine maintenance:

The majority of field engineers operate and repair machinery within the workplace. Additionally, these machines can be found all across the facility, and field engineers are trained by plant engineering staff on specific machine maintenance and operation.

Observing safety protocols:

In order to reduce the dangers associated with their work, field engineers may adhere to stringent safety protocols. They might be aware of any possible risks, take the necessary precautions to prevent mishaps, and wear protective gear and clothes like steel-toed shoes, hard hats, eyeglasses, and earplugs.

Operating in many locations:

It could be necessary for some field engineers to go from one place to another. This implies that although they’re not at their usual place of employment, they might work in different areas of a factory or mine or go from job site to job site.

Training on new machinery:

When new machinery is installed at a plant or facility where they work, field engineers frequently receive specialised training on it. In addition, they could be expected to go to seminars or classes on technical topics like biology, chemistry, or welding that are relevant to their line of work.

Project planning:

By supervising the design, construction, and installation of a project in a plant or mine, these engineers can prepare an approach for the correct installation of machinery. In order to oversee the work, they could also recruit expert contractors.

Carrying out preventative maintenance:

Preventative maintenance for machinery can entail locating possible issues with a machine, like damaged components, malfunctioning circuits, or problematic belt systems.

Working together as a team:

Field engineers frequently act as a point of contact for engineering staff and the operators of mines or plants. In addition, they can pay sporadic visits to the workplace to check on building progress, examine the machinery, and evaluate plans.

Keeping records:

For future reference, field engineers may keep thorough records of the tasks completed, the amount of time spent on each task, and any repairs made to a specific piece of equipment. They also maintain documentation of their travels and other work-related local activities.

Effectively communicating with superiors:

In order to address issues at the mine or plant, the supervisor may ask field engineers to get in touch with their superiors. It can also be necessary for the field engineer to report on weather-related issues that affect their work.

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Responsibilities of a Field Engineer

• Oversee daily operations and equipment on-site and provide updates and conclusions.
• Create daily and monthly work-done reports that show the status of the project.
• Make ensuring that on-site staff and equipment safety is upheld.
• Provide technical assistance to the team onsite to guarantee that no obstacles are overlooked.
• Recognise and be able to follow the Construction Manager’s directions for daily tasks.
• Make sure that contractors are reporting building progress on a weekly basis.
• Participate in and attend meetings on a weekly basis, reporting, inter-team collaboration, contract advancement, and other topics.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and reference photos that the on-site crew has been given.
• Verify the longevity and safety of the temporary assembly assets on the job site.
• To meet productivity targets, follow instructions from project management, lead field engineers, and field engineering management.
• Updating and maintaining a database with the state of the equipment.
• Participate in and represent the work centre at all project-related meetings.

Skills needed for Field Engineer

To succeed in their positions, field engineers in the oil and gas sector need a wide range of skills. The following are some essential competencies for field engineers to have:

Verbal communication

In order to share information about their work, such as updates on job progress or equipment issues, field engineers frequently interact with others. They might also speak with coworkers about the upkeep or design of a machine. For instance, they might schedule meetings, go over work schedules with engineers, buy supplies or equipment, and talk about the designs with project managers.

Reading

Reading charts and technical documentation is a common task for field engineers. They might also utilise their reading abilities to read government guidelines, contracts, or machine manuals. In order to make sure they can follow safety procedures without having to refer to them again, they might also read them numerous times.

Writing

Writers of letters, emails, reports, and documentation are frequently field engineers. To describe their progress on the assignment, they could write letters to clients. They might also send emails to their coworkers discussing a fresh project that the plant is designing.

Security

In order to prevent accidents, some field engineers train new hires on safe machine use and proper adherence to safety protocols. They might chair safety meetings to go over how to use machinery safely. Additionally, they could communicate with safety auditors and demonstrate to them that they are abiding by all relevant laws.

Critical thinking

When a problem arises at work, field engineers can apply their critical thinking abilities to discover the right answer, such as spotting an issue with a piece of machinery. When they are building and installing equipment, they might also exercise critical thought. They might, for instance, consider critically how a piece of machinery’s design might impact a project as a whole.

Mathematics

Field engineers frequently use their mathematical skills to resolve straightforward and intricate calculations that are related to their jobs. They might, for instance, compute a machine’s speed in relation to the amount of material it produces. They might also figure out how much stress a piece of equipment can take and make sure their group stays within certain bounds.

Sanitation

Sanitation services are frequently given by field engineers for their company. They might examine and maintain different parts of a mine or plant, like the air intake system, wastewater treatment plant, and other sections. In order to keep these systems maintained correctly, they might also carry out any necessary maintenance on them.

Attention to detail

In order to guarantee proper machinery installation, field engineers frequently focus on the little things. To guarantee optimal performance, they could check individual pieces of equipment or confirm that their crew installed them correctly. They might also pick up on minute clues, like a mechanical fault, that point to the potential for a problem down the road.

Science

The factory or facility where field engineers work may use their scientific knowledge to address production or safety concerns. To check the quality of the water, for instance, they might examine chemical samples and look for any possible chemical reactions that might be happening in pipes as they are being built. When building apparatus, they might also utilise physics to determine how much water flows through a pipe.

Physical fitness

It is common for field engineers to push, drag, and lift large machinery in order to install or fix it. They might also travel great miles on foot to get from one place to another, such different parts of a mine or facility. They could have to climb ramps and ladders on the job site, and they might have to lift heavy objects.

Data analysis

For data analysis, field engineers may frequently employ computers, software, and other technological tools. They might sift through data to identify patterns that would enable them to enhance their workflow. For instance, they can compare the cost of materials to the quantity of equipment that broke down or the amount of downtime that resulted from such issues.

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Qualification of a Field Engineer

Field engineers are employed on-the-job at companies and construction sites. They install, maintain, and repair a variety of computers and engineering tools. To be a field engineer, you must possess in-depth understanding of your academic discipline. Troubleshooting issues and assisting your clients in creating effective machinery and systems also benefit from creativity and problem-solving abilities

• To become a Field Engineer, candidates must pass any undergraduate course in Electronics Engineering, Construction, Information Science, or Computer Programming.
• For entry-level field engineering positions, an engineering bachelor’s degree is usually necessary. Petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering are common engineering specialties that are pertinent to the oil and gas business.
• Certain employers can demand further specialised training or certificates pertaining to the operations of oil and gas. Certifications in well control, drilling operations, safety management systems (SMS), or particular industry-specific software could fall under this category.
• Strong technical knowledge of oil and gas operations, including well completion, production procedures, equipment maintenance, and drilling techniques, is a must for field engineers. It is quite helpful to have coursework or real-world experience in these fields.

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Average Salary of a Field Engineer

• Field engineers in oil and gas industries typically start off with an annual salary of about 2.5 lakhs (20.8k per month). Becoming a Field Engineer requires a minimum of one year of experience.
• An Oil and Gas company’s average field engineer income is 6.5 lakhs per year, or 54.2k per month. The 590 most recent wages from different Field Engineers were used to estimate salaries.
• In Oil and Gas firms, the highest salary a Field Engineer can receive is 9.5 Lakhs per year, or 79.2k per month.
• In Oil & Gas firms, the average annual income for an Entry Level Field Engineer with less than three years of experience is 9.6 lakh. In oil and gas firms, a mid-career field engineer with 4–9 years of experience makes, on average, 5.5 lakhs per year. Whereas an experienced field engineer with 10–20 years of experience makes, on average, 20.5 lakhs per year.

Career growth of a Field Engineer 

The career growth of a field engineer in the oil and gas industry is characterized by a combination of hands-on experience, technical expertise, leadership development, and continuous learning. By seizing opportunities for advancement, expanding their skill set, and demonstrating a commitment to excellence, field engineers can build a fulfilling and successful career in this dynamic and vital sector.

• Entry-Level Field Engineer: People usually begin their careers as entry-level field engineers by obtaining practical experience in field operations. They might be exposed to all facets of oil and gas projects, such as drilling, production, and maintenance tasks, while working under the direction of senior engineers.
• Junior Field Engineer: A junior field engineer is a specialist who works on installing and inspecting new technologies and equipment. In addition to leading teams or employees on the job site, a junior field engineer must carry out research.
• Senior Field Engineer: A senior field engineer is a seasoned professional who oversees the smooth operation of projects in accordance with the engineer’s designs and reports on project sites.
• Specialist Positions: Field engineers may move into specialised positions within the sector when they develop competence in particular technological fields or operational procedures. Developing subject matter expertise in fields like well integrity, production enhancement, drilling optimisation, or health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management could be one way to do this.

Conclusion

Field engineers play a vital role in the oil and gas industry, contributing to the success of projects through their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to safety. By honing key skills such as technical proficiency, communication, adaptability, and safety awareness, aspiring field engineers can position themselves for a rewarding career in this dynamic and challenging field. Additionally, competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement make field engineering an attractive career path for those passionate about the energy industry.