IIT Bombay
- Fees: ₹ 97200
- Exams: GATE
Petroleum Engineering Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope
Degrees offered: B.E /B.Tech, M.E /M.Tech., Ph.D, BS, M.S
What is Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Engineering is the branch of engineering that is involved in the activities associated with the production of various hydrocarbons like natural gas or petroleum. It is also called Oil Engineering and covers the exploration, extraction, and production of oil and natural gas. More than 70 colleges in India provide courses in Petroleum Engineering.
A student needs to complete their 10+2 in the Science stream to get admitted to a UG course. Similarly, a student needs a bachelor's degree in engineering with a minimum score of 50 per cent to be qualified for a postgraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering.
The top colleges that offer Petroleum Engineering courses are IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, Graphic Era University, Dehradun and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi. Students who opt for a course in petroleum engineering get hired as Field Operators, Project Managers, and Technicians at leading companies.
Petroleum Engineering - Course Highlights
Particulars | Values |
Branch Name | Petroleum Engineering |
Degree | PG: M.E/M.Tech |
Course Type | UG, PG, Doctoral Level |
Admission Process | Entrance exams and academic qualifications |
Duration of the program | UG- 4 years PG- 2 years |
Average course fee | Rs. 88,000 to Rs. 18.30 Lakhs |
Average Salary | Rs 7.5 LPA |
Career Option | Petroleum Engineer, Oil Engineer, Field Operator, Testing Manager, Technician, Junior Engineer, Research Associate, Project Associate, Lecturer, Advisor/Consultants |
Top Recruiters | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Oil and Natural Gas, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Gujarat State Petroleum, Shell, Schlumberger |
Top Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India
There are many colleges in India offering Petroleum Engineering courses, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Admission to these colleges is based on either entrance exam or direct admission based on merit score. In the table below we have mentioned the top colleges offering Petroleum Engineering courses.
Name of the College | Fees |
Rs. 30,450 | |
Rs. 97,200 | |
Rs. 12.09 Lakhs | |
Rs. 11.07 Lakhs | |
Vignan's Foundation for Science Technology and Research, Guntur | Rs. 3.20 Lakhs |
Rs. 2.20 Lakhs | |
Rs. 1.40 Lakhs | |
NIMS Institute of Engineering and Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur | Rs. 6.00 Lakhs |
Rs. 1.60 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.80 Lakhs |
Top Private Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India
Numerous private universities in India offer Petroleum Engineering courses. Admissions to these institutions are granted based on past academic performance and entrance exam scores. The following table shows some of the top private Petroleum Engineering colleges in India.
Name of the College | Fees |
Rs. 8.85 Lakhs | |
Rs. 2.35 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.57 Lakhs | |
Rs. 8.81 Lakhs | |
Rs. 12.44 Lakhs | |
Rs. 19.13 Lakhs | |
Rs. 2.00 Lakhs | |
Rs. 5.96 Lakhs | |
Rs. 10.20 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.00 Lakhs |
Top Government Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India
Many government institutions in India provide Petroleum Engineering courses. Admissions to these colleges are based on previous academic records and entrance examination results. The table below showcases some of the finest government colleges for Petroleum Engineering in India.
Name of the College | Fees |
Rs. 9.21 Lakhs | |
Mahamaya College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Ambedkarnagar | Rs. 4.82 Lakhs |
Department of Petroleum Technology, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh | Rs. 96,670 |
Rs. 6.42 Lakhs | |
Rs. 1.81 Lakhs | |
Rs. 35,210 | |
IIT Madras | Rs. 30,450 |
IIT Bombay | Rs. 97,200 |
RGIPT Amethi | Rs. 11.07 Lakhs |
Alagappa College of Technology, Chennai | - |
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Petroleum Engineering
Eligibility Criteria for UG Courses
Candidates are required to satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by the institute to be eligible for admission. They can go through the official website to know the eligibility criteria for the desired course. Listed below are the eligibility requirements for undergraduate courses in Petroleum Engineering.
- Students should pass 10+2 with Science stream or its equivalent from any recognised board.
- They must have Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and another extra subject of his or her choice in the qualifying examination’s curriculum.
- Students should secure a minimum of 50 per cent in their 10+2 examinations
Top Entrance for UG Courses
To gain admission to top colleges, candidates should appear for the respective entrance examination conducted at national, state, and university levels. Below, we have provided some of these Petroleum Engineering entrance exams.
Exam Name | Exam Level | Conducting Body | Exam Schedule |
National | NTA | ||
National | IITs |
Eligibility Criteria for PG Courses
Aspiring candidates for the Petroleum Engineering course must meet all the eligibility criteria. Each engineering college has its own set of eligibility requirements for Petroleum Engineering, which can be found in the brochure or on the official website. Candidates are advised to thoroughly check all the Petroleum Engineering course details before proceeding with admission.
- Candidates must have completed their B.Tech or B.E. degree.
- They must have a minimum of first-class (60 per cent) marks or 6.0 (out of 10.0) Grade Point Average (GPA) in the discipline of Petroleum Engineering.
- The degree must be from an institution approved by AICTE or a central or state university approved by a Parliamentary Act.
- Eligible candidates are required to appear for the relevant entrance examination such as the GATE.
Top Entrance Exams for PG Courses
Admission to PG courses in Petroleum Engineering is done based on students’ scores in entrance exams like GATE. Details regarding these exams are furnished in the table below:
Exam Name | Exam Level | Conducting Body | Exam Schedule |
National | IITs |
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Petroleum Engineering in India and Abroad
The industry of petroleum engineering is vast and is always teeming with opportunities. Many public and private sector corporations recruit Petroleum Engineering graduates periodically. There is a reasonable amount of job security if one gets to work with a public sector unit. On the other hand, the multinational companies that either import or export petroleum or its components offer huge salaries.
The scope abroad for Petroleum Engineering is even bigger with several onshore and offshore projects happening across grids. All these projects require skilled on-site engineers. The Gulf is a major oil exporter and has the maximum number of opportunities and almost all of them are very high-paying.
Course Fees Petroleum Engineering
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
1.60 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering at Excel College of Technology, Namakkal
|
51.22 K
B.E /B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering at Anna University, Chennai
|
24.37 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering at School Of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun
|
13.81 Lakhs
Dual Degree in Petroleum Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi
|
| PG |
62.00 K
M.E /M.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering at Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Kanathur
|
41.40 K
M.E /M.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering at Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Visakhapatnam
|
8.00 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering at Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
|
7.72 Lakhs
M.E /M.Tech. in Petroleum Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Indian School of Mines Dhanbad
|
| DOCTORAL |
90.00 K
Ph.D in Petroleum Engineering at NIMS University, Jaipur
|
3.73 Lakhs
Ph.D in Petroleum Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Sivasagar Campus, Sivasagar
|
6.00 Lakhs
Ph.D in Petroleum Engineering at NIMS Institute of Engineering and Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur
|
4.82 Lakhs
Ph.D in Petroleum Engineering at Mahamaya College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Ambedkarnagar
|
| DIPLOMA |
66.00 K
Diploma in Petroleum Engineering at OPJS University, Rajgarh
|
1.35 Lakhs
Diploma in Petroleum Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi
|
3.00 Lakhs
Diploma in Petroleum Engineering at NIMS Institute of Engineering and Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur
|
1.35 Lakhs
Diploma in Petroleum Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi
|
Course Subjects
Petroleum Engineering Syllabus for UG Courses
The syllabus of Petroleum Engineering at the undergraduate level is structured by the institute. Some of the subjects covered in Petroleum Engineering are Engineering Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering Physics, Environmental Studies, and Elements of Mechanical Engineering. In the following table, we have mentioned the syllabus of Anna University.
Semester 1 | |
Technical English – I | Mathematics – I |
Engineering Physics | Engineering Chemistry |
Computing Techniques | Engineering Graphics |
Physics Laboratory | Chemistry Laboratory |
Computer Practices Laboratory | Engineering Practices Laboratory |
Semester 2 | |
Technical English – II | Mathematics – II |
Physics of Materials | Chemistry of Technologists |
Engineering Mechanics | Principles of Chemical Engineering |
Principles of Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Applied Chemistry Lab |
UNIX Programming Lab | - |
Semester 3 | |
Probability And Statistics | Organic Chemistry |
Petroleum Engineering | Fluid Mechanics for Petrochemical Engineers |
Process Calculations | Basic Mechanical Engineering |
Electrical Engineering Lab For Technologists | Organic Chemistry Lab |
Mechanical Engineering Lab | - |
Semester 4 | |
Numerical Methods | Physical Chemistry |
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | Heat Transfer |
Spectroscopic Techniques | Natural Gas Engineering |
Fluid Mechanics Lab | Technical Analysis Lab |
Semester 5 | |
Environmental Science And Engineering | Petroleum Refining I |
Chemical Reaction Engineering I | Process Instrumentation Dynamics and Control |
Mass Transfer – I | Elective I |
Employability Skills | Heat Transfer Lab |
Petroleum Testing Lab I | - |
Semester 6 | |
Equilibrium Staged Operations | Chemical Reaction Engineering II |
Petroleum Refining II | Plant Safety And Risk Analysis |
Petrochemicals | Elective II |
Process Control Lab | Petroleum Testing Lab II |
Computational Chemical Engineering Lab | - |
Semester 7 | |
Transport Phenomena | Chemical Process Design |
Process Economics | Petroleum Equipment Design |
Petroleum Refining III | Elective III |
Mass Transfer Lab | Chemical Reaction Engineering Lab |
Semester 8 | |
Elective IV | Elective V |
Project Work | - |
Petroleum Engineering Syllabus for PG Courses
While the M.Tech Petroleum Engineering curriculum may differ slightly across various institutions, the core subjects remain largely consistent. The table below outlines the M.Tech in Petroleum Engineering syllabus as offered by IIT Madras.
Semester 1 | |
Reservoir Engineering | Exploration and Formation Evaluation of Oi and Gas Reservoirs l |
Offshore Drilling and Production Practices | Surface Facility for Oil and Gas Handling |
Department Elective- I | - |
Semester 2 | |
Reservoir Simulation | Advanced Seismic Data acquisition Processing and Interpretation |
Enhanced Oil Recovery | Department Elective- II |
Department Elective- III | Department Elective- IV |
Semester 3 | |
Project Phase- II | - |
Semester 4 | |
Project Phase- III | - |
Careers in Petroleum Engineering
The job prospects for freshly passed-out petroleum engineers differ based on the level or degree as stated above. A basic classification of petroleum engineering jobs in the industry looks something like this. Candidates can choose based on their interests.
Job Profiles | Top Recruiters |
Field Operator | Field Operators are involved with working with heavy engineering equipment. Field operators handle machinery such as heavy pumps, motors, and drilling tools used to extract petroleum and related materials from the earth. |
A Petroleum Engineer designs facilities to extract and produce oil and gas from reserves deep underground. They also ensure that oilfield equipment is installed, operated, and maintained properly. | |
Reservoir Engineer | Reservoir engineers locate fuel in underground reservoirs using their knowledge of geology and fluid mechanics. They utilise technology and their expertise to pinpoint and efficiently allocate usable fossil fuel reservoirs located underground for oil and gas companies. |
Testing Manager/Professional | Testing managers are similar to field operators but include a supervisory component. They leads a small team responsible for executing on-field operations at a petroleum refinery. |
Project managers oversee the operation and management of an entire project segment. The project manager is responsible for executing the project in a way that maximises value for both the company and the client. This role requires strong management skills in addition to core petroleum engineering knowledge. | |
Technicians handle equipment and machinery at the company’s petroleum refinery site. This skilled job requires well-trained and knowledgeable individuals to ensure the smooth operation of the company’s processes. |
Upcoming trends
Petroleum Engineering is evolving with trends such as sustainable solutions, digital transformation, and exploration of unconventional resources. Technologies like IoT, AI, Big Data, Robotics, 3D Modeling, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain are reshaping the industry. These advancements aim to enhance efficiency, safety, and intelligence in the field, marking a new era in Petroleum Engineering.
- Sustainable Solutions
- Digital Transformation
- Unconventional Resources and Exploration
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Big Data & Analytics
- Blockchain
Certifications for Petroleum Engineering
Certifiation in drilling system Certification in CAESAR II Certification in Piping design Engineering Certification in Piping stress analysisJob Profiles and Top Recruiters
To excel in their career after pursuing a Petroleum Engineering course, candidates should have certain specific skills. Those interested in pursuing Petroleum Engineering at top colleges in India need the following skill sets. Mentioned below are the necessary skills for the Petroleum Engineering course.
- Team Work
- Problem-solving
- Working Under Pressure
- Drive and Enthusiasm
- Health and Fitness
- Analytical Skills
Average Salary
The average expected starting-level salary varies depending on the qualification. It also varies depending on many other factors such as the experience of the candidate, their skills and accomplishments, the job profile, and the location of the company. Mentioned below is the average salary of some of the popular careers available after Petroleum Engineering degrees.
Job Profiles | Average Salary |
Field Operator | Rs 8.1 LPA |
Petroleum Engineer | Rs. 9.9 LPA |
Reservoir Engineer | Rs. 16.6 LPA |
Testing Manager | Rs 18 LPA |
Project Manager | Rs 17 LPA |
Technician | Rs 2.8 LPA |
Required Skillset for Petroleum Engineering
To excel in their career after pursuing a Petroleum Engineering course, candidates should have certain specific skills. Those interested in pursuing Petroleum Engineering at top colleges in India need the following skill sets. Mentioned below are the necessary skills for the Petroleum Engineering course.
- Team Work
- Problem-solving
- Working Under Pressure
- Drive and Enthusiasm
- Health and Fitness
- Analytical Skills
Course Curriculum for Petroleum Engineering
The course curriculum for diploma and undergraduate programmes of petroleum engineering includes lessons from the following branches of science and engineering- mostly introductory. One can opt for any of these branches for specialisation at the postgraduate level -
- Introductory science courses
- Introductory mathematics and applied mathematics
- Basic engineering courses
- Introduction to other fields like civil engineering and electrical engineering
- Introduction to Chemical Engineering
- Introduction to geology and earth science
- Polymer science
- Energy resources
- Materials science and advanced materials engineering
- Fluid mechanics ( drilling, well compilation )
- Equipment design and management
- Environmental science and engineering
- Safety techniques
Popular Petroleum Engineering Entrance Exams in India
Popular Petroleum Engineering Colleges in India VIEW ALL
IIT Madras
- Fees: ₹ 30450
- Exams: GATE
Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai
- Fees: ₹ 200000
Presidency University, Bangalore
- Fees: ₹ 480000
- Exams: JEE Main , COMEDK UGET , KCET
NIMS University, Jaipur
- Fees: ₹ 400000
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What is the duration of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the field of Petroleum Engineering?
Answer :
UG courses are generally of three to four years duration, whereas PG courses are of two years.
Question: What are some popular entrance exams in the field of Petroleum Engineering?
Answer :
Many exams that can provide admission to Petroleum Engineering courses are JEE Main, JEE Advanced, and GATE.
Question: What are the career options available in the field of Petroleum Engineering?
Answer :
The career choices available in the field of Petroleum Engineering are endless. Some of the popular ones are Testing Managers, Technicians, Project Managers, Field Operators, Petroleum Engineers, and Oil Engineers.
Question: Which are the famous institutions providing Petroleum Engineering courses in India?
Answer :
Top engineering institutes in India providing specialisation in Petroleum Engineering are IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, Graphic Era University, Dehradun and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi.
Question: Who is eligible for a Petroleum Engineering course?
Answer :
Generally, for an undergraduate course, the candidates need to clear the 10+2 in the Science stream with a valid score. For a postgraduate course, candidates are required to have a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related discipline.
Questions related to Petroleum Engineering
Showing 1227 out of 1227 Questions
3 Views
My rank in the ( PE ) SC category is 11,104. will I be able to get admission to katihar polytechnic collage
27th Jun, 2025
Hello Manish,
With an SC category rank of 11,104 in PE, it is a bit difficult to get admission in Katihar Polytechnic College as the cut-off ranks for this college are usually lower.
However, you can still try in the later rounds or look for other nearby government polytechnic colleges with lower cut-offs.
Hope it helps !
Answer later 3 Views
Neet kitne number pe qualify hora hai
20th Jun, 2025
Dear student,
To qualify NEET 2025, candidates from the General/EWS category need at least 144 marks out of 720 , which corresponds to the 50th percentile . For OBC, SC, and ST categories , the cutoff is 113 marks , falling under the 40th percentile .
For candidates in the General/EWS-PwD category, the qualifying score is 127 , while for PwD candidates from OBC, SC, or ST , it remains 113 .
So, if you're aiming to move ahead in the counselling and admission process, make sure your NEET 2025 score meets or exceeds these category-wise cutoffs.
6 Views
176 marks pe deemeds college mil jaye kya MBBS Kayliye
18th Jun, 2025
Hello Aspirant,
With 176 marks in NEET, it will be very difficult to get admission in MBBS in deemed universities, as their cutoffs for MBBS are usually much higher, often above 300–400 marks even in management quota. In the case of NRI or higher fee-paying seats, sometimes colleges may accept lower scores, but 176 marks is quite low even for such seats. Additionally, deemed universities generally have high tuition fees, sometimes ranging from 15 to 25 lakh per year. If you are determined to pursue MBBS, you can either prepare for NEET again next year or explore other medical-related courses like BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BPT, or paramedical courses where cutoffs are relatively lower. Also, private colleges through state counselling might offer seats at lower ranks, but that too would require checking round-wise vacancies.
I hope this clears your doubt. Best wishes for your future.
2 Views
I have send phone pe amount but not in my touch neet guidence
16th Jun, 2025
If you have sent PhonePe payment but have not yet received NEET guidance or confirmation first check your PhonePe transaction history to see if the payment shows as successful If it does but you have not received any reply from the NEET guidance service you should immediately contact their customer support team via email or the helpdesk with your payment reference and transaction screenshot Always include your name purpose of payment date and amount in your message If you do not receive a response within twenty four to forty eight hours escalate to higher authority such as the training centre manager or coordinator If the guidance service continues to be unresponsive you can request a refund through PhonePe by raising a dispute with the official transaction details Most services must respond in three to five business days Ensure that you keep all records like transaction ID screenshots chat records and payment confirmation for reference This approach helps you resolve the issue and ensures that you either receive the promised guidance or get your money back
4 Views
Obc pwd candidate ko 100 marks neet ug exam pe koi bhi course me admission mil skta h government medical College
15th Jun, 2025
OBC-PwD candidate with 100 marks in NEET UG is not qualified. Minimum marks needed are around 113 for OBC-PwD. Without qualifying, admission is not possible in any government medical college. MBBS, BDS or other courses need NEET qualification. So, no seat is available at 100 marks.
