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How a petroleum engineer can use AI, task by task

O*NET 17-2171.00: Petroleum EngineersMedian pay $144,910/year (BLS, May 2025)23 tasksJob Zone 4: Considerable preparation

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.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Completion Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Engineer, Operations Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Petroleum Production Engineer, Project Production Engineer, Project Reservoir Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Reservoir Engineering Consultant.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 19%AI-assist 40%Stays human 41%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 4 AI-ready, 9 AI-assist and 10 human-led tasks out of 23. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Maintain records of drilling and production operations.Write it up · Weekly
  2. Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.Crunch the numbers · Weekly
  3. Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.Review & check · Monthly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.Lead people · Weekly
  2. Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.Lead people · Weekly
  3. Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.Lead people · Weekly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 4

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Maintain records of drilling and production operations.

Weekly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to maintain records of drilling and production operations.

Context: We use Microsoft Word.
Records: [geodetic, performance]
Needs: [describe]

Draft structure and entries. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Records system upkeep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you maintain records of drilling and production operations (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Records] and [Needs] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain operational records or records systems..

Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.

Monthly

AI turns complex material into plain-language handouts.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 71% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

AI is great at turning complicated material into plain-language guides, handouts, FAQs and how-tos for a specific audience. You check it's accurate.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Topic: [describe]
Audience: [engineering, sales]

Draft a report tailored to the audience. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Internal technical report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you write technical reports for engineering and management personnel. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare technical reports for internal use..

Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.

Monthly

AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist for you to adjust.

Show prompt & steps

Describe the goal, the people and the constraints, and AI drafts the plan, schedule or checklist. You adjust it to what you know about real life on the ground.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Systems; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Project: [planting, construction]
Scope: [describe]

Draft a detailed plan. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Detailed work plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you develop plans for oil and gas field.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Scope] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare detailed work plans..

Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.

A few times a year

AI maps out the topic and options; confirm with real sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI is a fast research assistant. Ask it to map out a topic, compare options or list what to check. Use a tool with web search and ask for its sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Project: [system, facility, design]
Key questions: [demand, capacity, cost]

Outline a feasibility study: data needed, methods, design standards, and risks. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Engineering feasibility research

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct engineering research experiments.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Key questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the standards against your current code books.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Research advanced engineering designs or applications..

AI can help you prep these 9

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Operation: [plant, mine, line]
Data: [paste production rates or performance data]

Show trends, losses and their likely causes, and 3 improvements with estimated impact. Include formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Productivity review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you monitor production rates and plan rework processes (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Operation] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Verify one calculation and propose one improvement.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.. Also involves: Develop technical methods or processes..

Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.

Monthly

AI pre-checks against the rules; the sign-off stays with you.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI as a first-pass checker against a list of rules or standards. The final judgment and sign-off stay with you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Design or project: [describe]
Costs and benefits: [paste]

Build a cost-benefit table with formulas. Make a table: requirement, met / not met / unclear, and the exact evidence.

10-minute exercise: Cost-benefit analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic.
Step 2Fill in [Design or project] and [Costs and benefits] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Do your usual review too, and note what AI caught and what it missed. Recompute every total yourself.

AI can miss things and sound sure about it. Use it to catch extra problems, not as the final check.

Double-check every number. AI can make arithmetic and rounding mistakes.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects..

Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.

Monthly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.

Context: We use IBM Notes and The MathWorks MATLAB.
Problem: [design, operations]
Who: [specialists]

Draft a message with data and questions. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Design problem discussion

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you confer with scientific. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Problem] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems..

Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Data: [site, survey, imagery]
Purpose: [design, mapping]

Outline analysis and outputs. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Survey data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data..

Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Test: [vulnerability scan, design test, equipment test]
Results: [paste]

Interpret results, rank issues, and suggest next steps. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Interpret test results

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate findings to develop.
Step 2Fill in [Test] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Interpret design or operational test results..

Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.

Monthly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

📊 Real AI use (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026): AI completed the task directly in 18% of those conversations; the rest were back-and-forth with the person.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Information: [drawings, specs, test results, regulations]
Audience: [what they know]

Explain it in plain language with an analogy and key takeaways. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: Explain technical information

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you interpret drilling and testing information. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Information] and [Audience] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information..

Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.

Context: We use The MathWorks MATLAB and SAS; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Design or system: [describe]
Inputs and physics: [loads, flows, behaviours]

Propose a model, its assumptions and equations, and starter code or spreadsheet formulas, then a way to validate it.

10-minute exercise: Engineering model

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you simulate reservoir performance.
Step 2Fill in [Design or system] and [Inputs and physics] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Validate the model against one known case before trusting its predictions.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.8/5 · O*NET work activity: Create models of engineering designs or methods..

Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.

Context: We use Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Systems; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Project: [road, plant, site]
Issues: [erosion, drainage, pollution]

Suggest design options with sizing considerations and standards to follow. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Environmental control system design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design and implement environmental controls.
Step 2Fill in [Project] and [Issues] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Design environmental control systems..

Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.

A few times a year

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.

Context: We use Autodesk AutoCAD and Dassault Systemes CATIA; the work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Equipment: [safety, mining]
Requirements: [function, standards]

Generate design concepts. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Equipment design

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design or modify mining.
Step 2Fill in [Equipment] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Design industrial equipment..

These stay human 10

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Impact of decisions: important results · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Problem: [bottleneck, test issue]
Data: [describe]

Plan a team discussion and actions. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Fix an operational problem

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assist engineering and other personnel (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Problem] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Resolve operational performance problems..

Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Operation: [plant, wells]
Goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing energy operations

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Operation] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct energy production or management activities.. Also involves: Determine operational methods..

Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Issue: [customer problem, defects]
Team: [describe]

Plan an investigation and team briefing. Give me the key message in 2 sentences, how people might react, and how to respond to each.

10-minute exercise: Leading quality control

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Issue] and [Team] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct quality control activities..

Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Team: [technicians, engineers]
Project: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing design work

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you coordinate activities of workers (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Project] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Direct design or development activities..

Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.

Weekly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Team: [engineers, specialists, subcontractors]
Issue or goal: [quality, schedule, coordination]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Supervising technical staff

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Team] and [Issue or goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 4.0/5 · O*NET work activity: Supervise engineering or other technical personnel..

Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Systems: [transport, fire protection, equipment]
Issues: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing maintenance

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you coordinate the installation, maintenance and operation.
Step 2Fill in [Systems] and [Issues] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.5/5 · O*NET work activity: Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.. Also involves: Direct installation activities.; Direct energy production or management activities..

Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Material: [raw, intermediate, finished, oil]
Purpose: [validation, reservoir assessment]

List sampling procedure and records. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Raw material sampling

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you take samples.
Step 2Fill in [Material] and [Purpose] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Collect samples of raw materials or finished products..

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.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to 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.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
Operation: [plant, wells]
Goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

10-minute exercise: Directing energy operations

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal.
Step 2Fill in [Operation] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Afterward, note one thing people responded to and one thing you'd change.

Importance 3.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Direct energy production or management activities..

Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.

Monthly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
System: [describe]
Standards: [specs]

Make an inspection checklist and findings report. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: System inspection

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you inspect oil and gas wells.
Step 2Fill in [System] and [Standards] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 3.6/5 · O*NET work activity: Inspect equipment or systems..

Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.

Monthly

Needs your eyes on site. AI can build the checklist and the report.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can build your inspection checklists, explain standards and turn your notes and photos into clean reports.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
System: [describe]
Requirements: [performance targets]

Draft a test plan with conditions, measurements and pass criteria. Group it by area, say what 'good' and 'bad' look like for each item, and add a short template for writing up what I find.

10-minute exercise: Performance test plan

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you test machinery and equipment.
Step 2Fill in [System] and [Requirements] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Take it with you next time, tick it alongside your usual routine, and add anything it missed.

Importance 4.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Speakingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Active Learningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Monitoringimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Operations Monitoringimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Complex Problem Solvingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Use drone technology for aerial surveying and monitoring of drilling sites.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a petroleum engineer. Part of my job is to use drone technology for aerial surveying and monitoring of drilling sites.

Context: The work draws on engineering and technology, physics and chemistry.
What's involved: [drone technology: where, when, who's affected]

Make me a step-by-step checklist to use drone technology, the details I should double-check before I start, and a 3-line template for noting it's done.

10-minute exercise: Checklist: drone technology

Step 1Before you next use drone technology, fill in [What's involved] with the real details.
Step 2Strike any step that doesn't match how your workplace does it, and add what only experience teaches.
Step 3Afterward, note it with the 3-line template and one thing you'd do differently next time.

New O*NET task (05/2025). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (72% of workers)

  • High school or less 8%
  • Bachelor's 72%
  • Graduate degree 21%
  • On-the-job training: 6–12 months
  • Related experience: 4–6 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values). Some of these estimates are lower precision.

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Autodesk AutoCADC#C++Eclipse IDEGoogle AnalyticsLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Project

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