Hey Buddy,  I am in the Petroleum Industry for a while though I am not a Petroleum Engineer. I work in the fields for big shot companies all over the nation. Anyways, good news is you have a great degree with a lot of potential because energy demand is going to soar up no matter what in coming decades and they are going to look for able hands who can understand the complexities associated with petroleum exploration and production. Thats when you come in to design and modify drill bits and rigs. I see there is a lot of potential even in Nepal which is a great source of natural gas in lower himalayas. You will do just fine with this degree as you can work for service companies like Schlumberger, Weatherford and Halliburton or drilling companies like Nabors, who have drilling operations all over the world. They will somehow find a way to keep you here or with multi language skills they will send you overseas. Nothing to worry about. Ask me more if you have other concerns. -Sam

nepalihouston · Jul 28, 2009 1:40 PM

I just graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Chemical engineering, so my answers might be little biased. The energy landscape in US has changed a lot in the last decade or so. Petroleum is still the forerunner in the energy market and might remain the same for next few decades. However, looking at the great deal of research that is being carried in the alternative energy field, you would really wanna rethink your career. Moreover, a chemical engineering degree will still allow you to work upstream in petroleum industries (most of the processing works are done by chemes)  and very often with the experience you can go downstream if you want. I think chemical engineering is a more versatile degree than any other discipline. Unless you have a penchant for drilling and can't see yourself in any other discipline, I suggest you to go chemical.

santosh1984 · Jul 28, 2009 2:43 PM