What is Petroleum Engineering?

When you major in petroleum engineering, you learn how to develop and manage energy resources that power modern life. This petroleum engineering degree combines engineering, geology, and data analysis to develop and optimize energy systems, including oil and gas production, carbon storage, and emerging energy technologies such as hydrogen, geothermal energy, and lithium recovery. Graduates gain the skills to become global energy leaders, pursuing petroleum engineering jobs in energy production, carbon storage, geothermal development, critical mineral recovery, and more. LSU offers a concentration in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).

Program Website
Degree Details
Admissions Info
Program Highlights
Elite National Ranking LSU’s petroleum engineering program is ranked #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, placing you among the top programs in the country for energy engineering education.
Innovative Training Facility Train in LSU’s PERTT Lab, the only full-scale, field-realistic university facility of its kind, where you'll get hands-on experience with well control, flow testing, and CO₂ technology.
CO₂ Research Field LSU is the first U.S. university with access to a real-world CO₂ enhanced oil recovery and storage field, giving you a rare insight into how large-scale carbon management projects.
Carbon Leadership Join the nation’s first undergraduate concentration in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and graduate ready to lead in emerging carbon management technologies.

What You Can Do

An LSU degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. With a strong academic foundation, real-world learning, and support from a powerful alumni network, you’ll graduate prepared for success in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re planning to work in a corporate setting, nonprofit organization, government agency, creative industry, or research lab, LSU equips you with the in-demand skills and hands-on experience employers value most.

Potential Careers

Production Engineer 
Drilling Engineer 
Petrophysical Engineer 
Reservoir Engineer 
Completions EngineerCarbon Management Engineer
Geothermal Engineer
Solutions Mining Engineer
Project Manager
Oil and Gas Entrepreneur

Workplace Settings

International Petroleum Companies
National Petroleum Companies
Independent Petroleum Companies
Oil & Gas Service Companies
Consulting Firms 
Financial Institutions 
Government Agencies
Research Organizations
Universities

$152,000
Average alumni Petroleum Engineering salary 10 years after graduation

What Petroleum Engineering Looks like

Petroleum Engineering - Majors A-Z - Nicolas Manica

Petroleum Engineering - Majors A-Z - Renee Kramer

Petroleum Engineering - Majors A-Z - Blake Barre

Petroleum Engineering - Majors A-Z - Ryan Barker

Building Skills
Drilling Systems & Techniques Design safe drilling operations and manage well pressure, fluids, and equipment
Petrophysical Engineering Evaluate subsurface formations to understand underground resources and assess reservoirs.
Production Engineering Analyze oil and gas wells—design systems that lift, process, and transport resources.
Carbon Storage Engineering Evaluate formations and manage safe carbon capture, transport, and storage.
Advance your Career
Post-graduate education
LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs designed to help you innovate and lead in your field. Engage in advanced coursework, contribute to impactful research, and learn from expert faculty who are solving real-world challenges across Louisiana and beyond. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new industry, or accelerate your career, LSU’s graduate programs open the door to a world of opportunity.
Masters (MS) – Biological and Agricultural Engineering (MBAE)Ph.D. – Biological Engineering (PBE)

Related Majors

Chemical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Chemistry
Biochemistry
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