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Contract Petroleum/Reservoir Engineer

Dallas, TX · On-site

Provide integrated petroleum engineering support across international conventional assets, with ... Collaborate with geoscience, drilling, facilities, production and operations teams to ensure ...

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Contract Petroleum/Reservoir Engineer

Dallas, TX · Hybrid

Provide integrated petroleum engineering support across international conventional assets, with ... Collaborate with geoscience, drilling, facilities, production and operations teams to ensure ...

Melroseresources

Operations Geologist

Houston, TX

Cooperate closely with petroleum engineers and drilling engineers to ensure that all well ... geoscience input to a variety of reports and presentations for partners, authorities and company ...

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Petroleum Geoscientist information

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$46K

$88.3K

$142.5K

How much do petroleum geoscientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for petroleum geoscientist in the United States is $88,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a petroleum geoscientist do?

A Petroleum Geoscientist studies the Earth's subsurface to locate and evaluate deposits of oil and natural gas. They use geological, geophysical, and geochemical methods to analyze rock formations and interpret seismic data to identify potential drilling sites. Their work is crucial for the exploration, extraction, and management of hydrocarbon resources, often collaborating with engineers and other specialists to optimize production. Petroleum Geoscientists may also assess environmental impacts and help design strategies for sustainable resource development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a petroleum geoscientist?

To thrive as a Petroleum Geoscientist, you need a solid background in geology, geophysics, and reservoir characterization, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with specialized software such as Petrel, seismic interpretation tools, and GIS systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and presenting findings. These competencies are vital for accurately identifying hydrocarbon resources and supporting efficient, safe energy extraction.

What are some common challenges that petroleum geoscientists face when working on exploration projects?

Petroleum Geoscientists often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex subsurface data, dealing with incomplete or ambiguous geological information, and balancing exploration risks with project costs. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—including engineers, drilling specialists, and data analysts—is crucial to ensure that geological models are accurate and actionable. Staying updated on the latest geophysical technologies and software also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges and delivering successful exploration outcomes.

What is the difference between Petroleum Geoscientist vs Geologist?

AspectPetroleum GeoscientistGeologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Geosciences, often with specialization in petroleum geologyBachelor's or Master's in Geology or Earth Sciences
Work EnvironmentOil and gas exploration sites, offices, seismic data analysisResearch labs, environmental agencies, field sites, academia
Employer & Industry UsageOil companies, energy sector, exploration firmsMining, environmental consulting, academia, government agencies

Petroleum Geoscientists focus on exploring and analyzing subsurface formations for oil and gas extraction, often working closely with seismic data and exploration teams. Geologists have a broader scope, studying Earth's processes, rocks, and minerals across various industries. While both roles require geoscience credentials, Petroleum Geoscientists specialize in the energy sector, making their work more targeted towards hydrocarbon exploration and production.

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What states have the most Petroleum Geoscientist jobs?

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Petroleum Geoscientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Petroleum Geoscientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,266 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Petroleum Systems Geoscientist

Woodside Energy Ltd

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

About Woodside
We know great results come from our people feeling valued, getting the support they need to reach their full potential as well as bring their whole self to work. We also recognise that enduring, meaningful relationships with communities are fundamental to maintaining our licence to operate.
Technology and innovation are essential to our long-term sustainability. We are growing our carbon and new energy businesses using technology to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint of our products. We are working to improving energy efficiency, offset emissions, reduce emissions intensity and explore options for lower-carbon energy. Woodside led the development of the LNG industry in Australia and is applying this same pioneering spirit to solving future energy challenges.
About the Role
The Gulf of America Exploration team is seeking an experienced Petroleum Systems Geoscientist to lead integrated petroleum systems evaluations supporting regional play assessments, prospect maturation, and exploration investment decisions. This position is based in Houston, Texas.
This is a senior technical role responsible for developing and integrating petroleum systems understanding across the full exploration lifecycle-from regional basin evaluation and play fairway analysis through prospect maturation and well planning. The successful candidate will serve as the team's petroleum systems subject matter expert, providing technical leadership in basin modeling, source rock characterization, hydrocarbon charge, pore pressure prediction, column height prediction, timing of migration, and reservoir preservation.
A strong emphasis will be placed on advanced basin modeling capabilities and the ability to integrate geological, geophysical, geochemical, and pressure data into exploration-ready products that directly influence acreage capture, prospect risking, and drilling decisions.
Candidates with extensive Gulf of America exploration experience and demonstrated expertise in petroleum systems analysis within salt-influenced deepwater settings are strongly preferred.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead integrated petroleum systems evaluations from regional play screening through prospect maturation, well planning and post-well evaluation.
  • Develop and maintain basin models to evaluate source rock maturity, hydrocarbon generation, migration pathways, charge timing, and reservoir preservation.
  • Integrate structure maps, structural evolution, burial history, well calibration, geochemistry, temperature, and pressure data into robust petroleum systems models.
  • Apply petroleum systems analyses to quantify prospect risk and uncertainty, including charge access/budget, charge timing, seal integrity and trap preservation.
  • Provide pore pressure and fracture gradient (PPFG) assessments to support exploration well planning and risk mitigation.
  • Partner closely with structural geologists, geophysicists, geochemists, reservoir engineers, and commercial teams to deliver integrated technical evaluations.
  • Support acreage evaluations, farm-in opportunities, lease sale strategies, and new venture assessments through regional petroleum systems analysis.
  • Communicate technical findings clearly to management and joint venture partners, translating complex uncertainty into actionable exploration recommendations.
  • Mentor geoscientists and contribute to the continued development of petroleum systems capability across the organization.

Skills and Experience
The successful candidate will possess:
  • Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Geology, Geophysics, or a related Earth Science discipline is required.
  • 10+ years of exploration experience, with significant responsibility for petroleum systems evaluations.
  • Extensive experience working in the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico), including deepwater exploration and salt-influenced petroleum systems.
  • Demonstrated expertise across the complete petroleum systems workflow, including:
    • Regional Basin Evaluation
    • Play Fairway Analysis
    • Source Rock Characterization
    • Burial History Reconstruction
    • Basin Modeling
    • Hydrocarbon Generation and Migration
    • Charge Assessment
    • Trap Timing and Preservation
    • Exploration Risking
  • Advanced proficiency with TemisFlow and Trinity basin modeling software is preferred.
  • Experience developing or integrating Pore Pressure and Fracture Gradient (PPFG) models to support exploration drilling is highly desirable.
  • Strong understanding of exploration risking, volumetric assessment, and prospect maturation workflows.
  • Experience supporting lease sales, acreage capture, farm-ins, or exploration portfolio maturation.
  • Ability to independently generate geological interpretations while integrating multidisciplinary datasets into coherent exploration models.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence technical and commercial decision-making across multidisciplinary teams.

Recognition and Reward
What you can expect from us:
  • Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs and coaching
  • Industry-leading 18 weeks paid parental leave for primary carer, and maintenance of superannuation or retirement benefits at the current rate during any period of unpaid parental leave for up to 24 months (plus secondary carer leave entitlements)
  • Values led culture with a focus on creating a psychologically and physically safe work environment
  • Active employee-led working groups driving initiatives to build an inclusive culture
  • Community volunteering opportunities
  • Relocation assistance (if required)
  • A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives

Woodside is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce culture, which is supported by our Values. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain a truly diverse and high-performing workforce.
Diversity encompasses various differences, including but not limited to differences in age, nationality, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, intersex status, gender identity or expression, relationship status, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, cultural background, thinking styles, experience, family background, including caregiving commitments, and education. Inclusion centres on all employees creating a climate of respect, trust and belonging, where people feel enabled to be their best and authentic version of themself.
We offer supportive pathways for all employees to grow and develop leadership skills. We encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples and those seeking a more flexible working environment, including part-time opportunities.
Applications close at 11:59pm CST on August 26, 2026
Click APPLY to submit your application
Please note Woodside Energy will only accept direct candidate applications. We do not accept applications from Recruitment Agencies.

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