Petroleum Engineers
Architecture and Engineering Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 17-2171.00
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.000
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.29
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Exposed tasks only23 rated tasks · 19 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (82.6%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 20.1) | Claude.aiRaw / share % |
|---|---|
Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.17-2171.00 | 0.004170.2 |
Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.17-2171.00 | 0.001729.8 |
| Not observed on any surface — 21 task(s) — These tasks have no row in the source for this release. The 0 in the share row is a display-stage composition ratio; absence is what the — in the raw row states. | |
Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites. | —0 |
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production. | —0 |
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production. | —0 |
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery. | —0 |
Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys. | —0 |
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems. | —0 |
Maintain records of drilling and production operations. | —0 |
Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel. | —0 |
Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes. | —0 |
Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel. | —0 |
Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel. | —0 |
Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment. | —0 |
Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations. | —0 |
Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted. | —0 |
Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed. | —0 |
Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models. | —0 |
Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them. | —0 |
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development. | —0 |
Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles. | —0 |
Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications. | —0 |
Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations. | —0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.O*NET Task ID 3586 | 1.0 |
Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.O*NET Task ID 3588 | 1.0 |
Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.O*NET Task ID 3596 | 1.0 |
Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.O*NET Task ID 3599 | 1.0 |
Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.O*NET Task ID 3579 | 0.5 |
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.O*NET Task ID 3580 | 0.5 |
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.O*NET Task ID 3581 | 0.5 |
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.O*NET Task ID 3582 | 0.5 |
Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.O*NET Task ID 3583 | 0.5 |
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.O*NET Task ID 3584 | 0.5 |
Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.O*NET Task ID 3585 | 0.5 |
Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.O*NET Task ID 3587 | 0.5 |
Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.O*NET Task ID 3589 | 0.5 |
Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.O*NET Task ID 3590 | 0.5 |
Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.O*NET Task ID 3591 | 0.5 |
Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.O*NET Task ID 3592 | 0.5 |
Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.O*NET Task ID 3597 | 0.5 |
Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.O*NET Task ID 3598 | 0.5 |
Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.O*NET Task ID 3601 | 0.5 |
Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.O*NET Task ID 3593 | 0.0 |
Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted.O*NET Task ID 3594 | 0.0 |
Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.O*NET Task ID 3595 | 0.0 |
Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.O*NET Task ID 3600 | 0.0 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (23)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites. | Core |
| Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production. | Core |
| Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production. | Core |
| Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery. | Core |
| Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys. | Core |
| Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems. | Core |
| Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment. | Core |
| Maintain records of drilling and production operations. | Core |
| Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems. | Core |
| Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel. | Core |
| Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes. | Core |
| Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel. | Core |
| Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development. | Core |
| Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel. | Supplemental |
| Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations. | Supplemental |
| Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment. | Supplemental |
| Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted. | Supplemental |
| Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed. | Supplemental |
| Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models. | Supplemental |
| Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them. | Supplemental |
| Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles. | Supplemental |
| Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications. | Supplemental |
| Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations. | Supplemental |
0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
None of this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks is classified as a physical task.
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 19K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 19K
- Change (2025–35)
- +2%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $144,910
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23730 | 가스‧에너지 기술자 및 연구원 | This occupation is narrower | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2146Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Related Professionals
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals conduct research on, design, develop and maintain commercial-scale methods of extracting metals from their ores, or minerals, water, oil or gas from the earth, and of developing new alloys, ceramic and other materials, or study and advise on mining or metallurgical aspects of particular materials, products or processes.
Tasks
- (a) determining the location and planning the extraction of coal, metallic ores, non-metallic minerals, and building materials, such as stone and gravel;
- (b) determining most suitable methods of efficient mining and extraction and types of machinery to be used, planning layout and directing construction of shafts and tunnels;
- (c) determining drilling site and devising methods of controlling the flow of water, oil or gas from wells;
- (d) planning and directing storage, initial treatment and transportation of water, oil or gas;
- (e) establishing safety standards and procedures and first-aid facilities, especially underground;
- (f) conducting research, developing methods of extracting metals from their ores and advising on their application;
- (g) investigating properties of metals and alloys, developing new alloys and advising on and supervising technical aspects of metal and alloy manufacture and processing;
- (h) maintaining technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists such as geologists and geophysicists;
- (i) examining deposits or mines to evaluate profitability.
Example occupations
Extractive metallurgist · Mining engineer · Petroleum and natural gas extraction engineer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- petroleum engineerESCO 2146.10Same scope
Petroleum engineers evaluate gas and oil fields. They design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from underneath the earth's surface. They maximise the recovery of hydrocarbon at a minimum cost, pursuing minimal impact on the environment.
- gas production engineerESCO 2145.1.6This occupation is broader
Gas production engineers develop methods to optimise the extraction and production of gas for energy and utilities. They design systems for gas production, supervise production operations and develop improvements on existing systems.
- drilling engineerESCO 2146.2Overlapping, not the same
Drilling engineers develop and supervise the drilling of gas and oil wells. They assist in the designing, testing and creation of wells and are employed on land or offshore platforms. Drilling engineers work with other mining professionals and oversee the drilling progress and safety of the site.
- liquid fuel engineerESCO 2146.4Overlapping, not the same
Liquid fuel engineers evaluate liquid fuel extraction sites. They design and develop methods for extracting liquid fuels from underneath the earth’s surface, these fuels include petroleums, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, non-petroleum fossil fuels, biodiesel and alcohols. They maximise the recovery of hydrocarbon at a minimum cost, pursuing minimal impact on the environment.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| F1129 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure réservoir | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| F1212 | Ingénieur / Ingénieure d'exploitation de gisements | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| F1211 | Responsable d'exploitation de gisements pétrole et gaz | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2436 | Ingenieros de minas, metalúrgicos y afines | This occupation is narrower |
| 2435 | Ingenieros químicos | Related, not a match |
| 2466 | Ingenieros técnicos de minas, metalúrgicos y afines | Related, not a match |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 21114 | Berufe im Berg- und Tagebau - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 089 | その他の製造技術者（開発を除く） | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
| 079 | その他の製造技術者（開発） | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources