Petroleum engineering internships

A lower monthly total does not necessarily mean a lower operating rate

Fictional production history: January produces 31,000 barrels over 31 calendar days and 31 producing days. February produces 22,400 barrels over 28 calendar days, but only 20 producing days. January averages 1,000 barrels per calendar or producing day. February averages 800 per calendar day but 1,120 per producing day.

The monthly total falls by 8,600 barrels, about 27.74%. The calendar-day rate falls 20%, while the producing-day rate rises 12%. All three statements can be correct because their denominators differ. The records identify reduced producing time; they do not establish why the downtime occurred or why the operating rate changed.

Keep corrections visible and assumptions separate

Suppose a checked meter correction revises February volume to 21,000 barrels. The corrected rates become 750 barrels per calendar day and 1,050 per producing day. The operating-day increase over January is now 5%, not 12%. Preserve the original volume, corrected volume, reason and source of the correction.

A simple next-month scenario can expose the effect of downtime without pretending to forecast a field. Holding the corrected 1,050 barrels per producing day constant gives 31,500 barrels with 30 producing days but 25,200 with 24. The 6,300-barrel difference comes entirely from the producing-day assumption.

This is not a reserves estimate or evidence that the same daily rate will persist. A good historical fit cannot supply missing explanations for operating changes. Keep the practice analysis away from equipment settings and actual operational recommendations.

• Original February: 22,400 ÷ 20 = 1,120 barrels per producing day.
• Corrected February: 21,000 ÷ 20 = 1,050 barrels per producing day.
• Thirty-day scenario versus 24-day scenario: 31,500 versus 25,200 barrels.

Ask for the observation that separates competing explanations

A concise note might say: Lower February output combines fewer producing days with a changed rate. I would verify the downtime record and meter correction before fitting a trend through the monthly totals. That identifies the needed evidence without claiming to know the cause.

For your application, connect a real course or data project to the assignment. Ask whether the placement is reservoir analysis, production support or field services and who reviews its conclusions. Confirm travel and working dates early; a placement described as several months may not fit a short summer break.

Before you apply

Eligibility

SLB's geoscience/petrotechnical route requires two completed undergraduate years in specified technical degree fields. Read the listed fields and the selected role's conditions.

Timing

SLB describes placements lasting several months up to a year. Its general early-career application is a matching pool, not a dated vacancy.

Location

Confirm whether the work is office-based or includes field travel, and obtain the actual schedule and training requirements.

Pay

SLB describes this route as paid but does not state one universal amount. Confirm wages and accommodation or travel terms for the placement.

Sources: SLB geoscience and petrotechnical internships

Job titles to search

Reservoir engineering intern

Ask which performance question, observations and uncertainties the project addresses.

Production engineering intern

Ask whether the assignment investigates rates, downtime, records or equipment performance.

Field or technology intern

Ask which activities are supervised on site and which analyses you would prepare.

Where to look

Search routes, not confirmed vacancies.

Compare the work and try an example

Use a role comparison or worked exercise to choose your preparation before tailoring an application.

• Energy trading, scheduling and risk internships: distinguish the work
• Midstream commercial versus engineering internships
• Utility internships beyond engineering: finance, contracts and project work