Geoscientist
A geoscientist is involved in the discovery, exploration and development of natural resources such as gas, oil and water.
They interpret geophysical, geochemical and geological data to develop models of the earth's subsurface with the aim of discovering commercially viable and exploitable reserves of natural resources, such as oil and gas. Geoscientists provide the foundation for the exploration and production of natural resources. They are also involved in the production of reserves and may provide specialist advice for engineering projects.
Geoscientists work in a variety of roles within the natural resources sector. Terms such as geophysicist, geologist, geochemist and sedimentologist are also used for specialist roles within geoscience.
In the natural resources sector, geoscientists are involved in the exploration and appraisal of new areas, feasibility studies and field development planning of the discovered fields, as well as in optimising recovery from the producing field.
Although geoscientists’ roles vary, tasks typically include:
Geoscientists working in exploration deal with a larger number of sites and a wider spread of data and also use satellite imagery and gravity and magnetic surveys to evaluate a whole basin. In production, geoscientists concentrate on sites that are already operational, making assessments on the basis of well core and well fluid samples.
As oil resources decline, the role of the geoscientist will change from exploration-dominated to production-dominated employment.
Relevant degree subject areas include the physical, mathematical and applied sciences. The following subjects in particular may increase your chances:
Since geoscience is a specialised career, it usually requires more than a good honours Bachelor degree. An MSc or an MGeol (these are four-year first degrees), and often a PhD, in a relevant area of geoscience (such as geophysics, petroleum geology or sedimentology) is usually essential for entry to this field, although there may be occasional opportunities for graduates with a Bachelors degree.
Pre-entry experience is desirable. Entry without previous experience is possible, but vacation work or placements are likely to improve your chances.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Try to obtain vacation work or a placement with a seismic contractor or as a technical assistant with an oil company. Increasingly, there are opportunities to gain valuable operational experience on eight-week placements during the summer vacation of your penultimate year. Large energy companies such as BP and Shell offer geoscience summer internships to candidates studying relevant technical disciplines. These placements may also offer the chance to bypass initial parts of the recruitment process. Bear in mind that closing dates for such placements may be before Christmas. You should also take any opportunity to undertake relevant project work during your degree course.
The level of competition for entry into the oil and gas sector varies according to the state of the world oil market and the international situation, although this does not mean that entry requirement standards are likely to fall.
The pattern tends to be that jobs are either available through the graduate recruitment process or advertised as and when they arise. Many companies use recruitment agencies dedicated to the oil and gas sector to advertise their vacancies, although this tends to apply to more senior positions requiring a minimum of ten years’ experience.
Three to four years' experience with a seismic contractor can be a route into geoscience with an oil company. In some companies, it is possible to start as a technical assistant and progress through to a full geoscientist role.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Training is mostly on the job, although in some major oil companies the first few months may be set aside for intensive training and induction.
The major oil companies operate graduate training programmes, which generally deliver on-the-job training through a series of projects or assignments alongside structured modules aimed at giving an overview of the business and developing expertise in general and specialist areas. The projects may be based in a variety of geoscience disciplines and some may be in the form of overseas placements. The major oil companies often plan their training carefully so that it meets the professional requirements for employees to become chartered geologists through the Geological Society . Professional development continues with tailored training in various locations, allowing networking with colleagues from around the world.
Subsequent training tends to be based on supervised experience through a combination of in-service courses, relating to topics such as new software, and on-the-job training alongside experienced staff.
Safety and survival training is obligatory for all staff who work on the rigs, even if only occasionally. This usually takes three to five days and is carried out at specialist training facilities in Aberdeen. The course covers first aid, survival training and general safety and environmental awareness. Participants must pass an underwater helicopter escape course, which involves submersion and escape from an upturned helicopter simulator.
Some companies have mentoring systems in place which link you to a senior member of staff, who can help plan your career and advise you professionally. Some also offer modular programmes that cover all aspects of the work, induction and networking events and a variety of placements with opportunities to work at different sites and on a variety of projects.
Relatively early positions of responsibility would be as team leader for an asset, such as an individual oil field or development prospect, coordinating the work of geologists and geophysicists. It is fairly easy to broaden your knowledge by moving between exploration and production - the role of the geoscientist is similar in both contexts.
Depending on the company, career progression may lead to managerial or technical specialist positions. Geoscientists in oil companies may move into senior positions involving professional and technical management. It is also possible to move into consultancy.
International mobility will be required throughout your career - the larger companies offer chances to take overseas assignments at an early stage.
North Sea operations are changing, and many smaller companies are being established or are moving into the area as the larger groups leave. They are likely to require experienced staff to take on positions with considerable responsibility.
If you decide to move outside the oil industry, there is scope for employment within the oil divisions of investment banks or energy groups, applying your experience to investment decisions.
Principal employers of geoscientists include:
Exploration and extraction is a worldwide business and many jobs are based overseas. Employers recruit internationally and have many US and European applicants, so British graduates are competing with nationals of other countries.
In the UK, activity is currently located mainly off the east coast of England and Scotland, but exploration is also being carried out in the western approaches, the Irish Sea and west of the Shetlands. UK oil production generally has peaked and is now declining gradually, although gas production is still rising and both will last well into the current century according to Oil and Gas UK .
Environmental issues are of growing importance and the Geological Society reports that demand for specialists in environmental assessment and management is increasing. Opportunities may be available with private sector companies, consultancies and government bodies in hydrogeology and water supply, waste disposal, pollution control and land quality/remediation.
Major oil companies advertise their vacancies through student/graduate directories, careers services' own vacancy lists, their own websites and increasingly at careers fairs. Closing dates are frequently around Christmas for entry to work the following autumn. Recruitment agencies specialising in the energy, oil and gas sector, such as Hays Energy and Oil Careers , are also used by employers to advertise opportunities, particularly at more senior levels.
Vacancies for summer work experience programmes and short Christmas courses, usually advertised through careers services and on companies’ own websites, take place at the end of your penultimate year or during the Christmas vacation of your final year. Application deadlines are usually before Christmas for summer internships.
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