Top 23 Petroleum Engineer Interview Questions & Answers (2021)

1) List out the methods used for well test analyses?

Various methods for well test analyses are

• Pressure drawdown tests
• Pressure build up tests
• Type curve analysis
• Pulse tests and Interference
• Drill stem and wireline formation
• Gas well tests

2) Mention what is the main advantage of using the pressure drawdown tests?

The draw down test will help you to estimate the reservoir volume.

3) Explain what is well logging?

A well log is used for graphical representation of any drilling condition or subsurface features that come across while drilling, which is used for the evaluation of the well.

4) Mention what are the different types of well logging?

• Resistivity logs
• Spontaneous potential logs
• Gamma ray logs
• Gamma ray absorption logs
• Neutron logs
• Sonic porosity logs

5) Explain what is Pseudo Pressure?

Pseudo pressure is a mathematical pressure function which accounts for the variable compressibility and viscosity of gas with respect to pressure.


6) Explain the term “bull heading”?

“Bull heading” is a process, where gas is forced back into a formation by pumping into the annulus from the surface.

7) Which mineral is frequently used to increase the weight or density of drilling mud?

Barium Sulfate or BaSO4 mineral is frequently used to increase the density of drilling mud.

8) What is the importance of drilling muds?

The drilling muds are used for
• Lubrication purpose and for cooling of the drill bit and pipe
• It removes the cuttings that come from the bottom of the oil well
• Prevent blowouts by acting as a sealant

9) What is the drill-stem testing?

Lowering a device into the drill hole to measure the pressures, it will reveal whether reservoir rock has been reached.

10) Explain what is hydraulic fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique in which tons of gallons of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure is pumped down across the drilled well. This pressurized mixture makes rock layer to crack and make small space or fissure, through which natural gas emits out.

11) What is proppant and what is the use of it?

A proppant is a solid material, which is treated with sand or ceramic materials. It is used to keep the induced hydraulic fracture open.

12) Explain what is perforation in oil well drilling?

A perforation is a hole made in the casing or liner of an oil well to connect it to the reservoir.

13) Explain the term desander and desilter?

Desander is a centrifugal device used for removing sand from drilling the fluid to avert the abrasion of the pumps. While Desilter is a centrifugal device used to remove the slit or very fine particles.

14) Explain what is dogleg?

Dogleg term is used to refer for an abrupt change in direction in the wellbore, resulting in the formation of the keyseat.

15) Explain what is wellbore storage?

When the oil well is shut-in, there is continue flow of fluid into the wellbore. This flow of fluid is referred as wellbore storage.

16) Explain what is a blowout preventer?

Blowout preventer is installed on the top of the well and is used to control the back pressure produced by oil during the drilling process.

17) Explain what is annular blowout preventer?

Annular blowout preventer is usually a large valve, installed above the ram preventers, it forms a protective seal in the annular space between the pipes and well bore. It seals the annulus between the Kelly, drill collar and drill pipe.

18) Explain what is die insert?

Die insert is a hard steel, a serrated piece which is removable and fits into the jaws of the tongs and firmly holds the body of the drill pipe, drill collars while the tongs are making up or breaking out of the pipes.

19) What is Kelly bushing?

Kelly bushing is a device fitted to the rotatory table through which the Kelly passes and the mean by which the torque of the rotatory table is transmitted to the Kelly and to the drill stem.

20) Explain the term Induction logs?

Induction logs are used in wells that do not use water or mud, but oil-based drilling fluids or air. They are non-conductive and therefore cannot use electric logs instead they use magnetism and electricity to measure resistivity.

21) Explain how Spontaneous logs are useful?

Spontaneous logs determine the permeability of the rocks in the well by denoting the electrical currents produced between the drilling fluids and formation water held in the pore spaces.

22) Explain what is underbalanced drilling?

The underbalanced drilling is an alternative way of drilling oil and gas wells, where the pressure in the wellbore is kept lower than the fluid pressure. The advantage of underbalanced drilling is that it reduces formation damage in reservoirs.

23) Explain the method of “Gas injection down the drill pipe”? What are the advantages of this technique?

In this technique air or nitrogen is injected to the drilling fluid that is injected directly down the drill pipe. The advantages of this technique is

• Improved penetration and decreased amount of gas
• Wellbore is not required to specifically designed for underbalanced drilling
• Less amount of gas required


  1. This is really a good explanation base in your content. All these things is needed to learn by some petroleum engineer because this will be ideal thing for then that they can use for then personal work. Ans in that way, they can have an efficient forms and techniques of their works.

  2. excellent stuff i appreciate it alot

  3. Avatar mathewilmkoang says:

    thank you a lot for the most wanted summary for petroluem engineers.

  4. Avatar akshay singh says:

    This all petroleum interview question is really helpful for update our knowledge thank you .

  5. Avatar mbogshikeh blaise says:

    It’s good enough for consumption

  6. Avatar Fred ighalo says:

    Pls can someone help with some ‘case study’ type of questions relating to petroleum engineering.

  7. Avatar Keerthana says:

    Please upload more questions with answers related to drilling productions and reservoir activities

  8. Avatar Mohammed khatib mmadi says:

    Thank you a lot for the high thinking in petroleum engineering field

  9. Avatar Semeha Eurica Franklin says:

    Very educative and helpful

  10. Avatar Raoul Legran says:

    Very Interesting.

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