Subsea Engineer - What's the difference?

[sean77]

hello all,
I intend studying any of the Masters degree courses below this September in the U.K
They are:
1.MSc Mechanical Engineering
2.Msc Subsea Engineering
3.Msc Petroleum Engineering

Which of these courses give more opportunities and pay more since i intend returning to Nigeria to work in a Multinational Oil and Gas firm and in case I change my mind to stay/work abroad too

Hello,

To be honest, I'm also relatively new to this field. However, i hope that you can get something out of the following advice.

In my opinion, the main purpose of studying a Masters degree is to get a specific job in the oil industry that you really want, especially when you're currently working in a different industry. Hence, it doesn't make sense if you pursue a very general course such as MSc. in Mechanical Engineering. The rule of thumb is always to study something very specialized, something that will land you the specific job that you have been aiming all these while.

Thus, before you decide which course to take, ask yourself what do you aim to get out of the course? What is the specific position in the industry that you're currently aiming for?

Between subsea and petroleum, the opportunities depends.

If you're planning to go back to your home country and you're confident that you can get into an exploration & production company, then i would advice you to go for petroleum engineering.

But, if you prefer an internationally mobile type of occupation, i think it's better if you go for subsea engineering. The reason is because petroleum engineering jobs are slightly limited to E&P and service companies which normally prioritize the local workforce while subsea engineers can work in E&P, consultant, service companies, EPC contractors, inspection companies, drilling contractor, manufacturer and even certification body (DNV, Lloyd etc etc).

Please read the previous post to find out the different types of subsea engineer though.

Regarding the pay, I myself have no idea which one pays more.

If there's anything not right with my advice, i hope others (maybe Azad) can correct me.

[Azad]

Sean,

I agree with your advice, I have said the same in response to PM.

I would only add that to getting a job in places like Nigeria as a Petroleum Engineer is probaly more difficult, even though it pays better. The reason for this is that quite a few colleges/ Universities in Nigeria run this course and it has a quite a high prestige / status symbol in the country. Low Demand with High supply - need connections not just ability, to get a good job as Petroleum Engineer.

On the other hand Subsea Engineering courses are new or non existant in Nigeria with expanding scope, it would be easier to get a job with number of different companies in the chain as you have descibed above.

Regards
Azad

[sean77]

Sean,

I agree with your advice, I have said the same in response to PM.

I would only add that to getting a job in places like Nigeria as a Petroleum Engineer is probaly more difficult, even though it pays better. The reason for this is that quite a few colleges/ Universities in Nigeria run this course and it has a quite a high prestige / status symbol in the country. Low Demand with High supply - need connections not just ability, to get a good job as Petroleum Engineer.

On the other hand Subsea Engineering courses are new or non existant in Nigeria with expanding scope, it would be easier to get a job with number of different companies in the chain as you have descibed above.

Regards
Azad

Azad,

Is it true that subsurface jobs (petroleum engineers, well engineer, reservoir, petrophysicists, geophysicists etc) generally pay higher than other discipline (subsea, flow assurance, structural etc etc)....for example, in Aberdeen? In south east asia, that's a reality. Experienced drilling engineers & even drilling fluid consultants get paid a fortune here.

Also, what do you think about subsea inspection, repair & maintenance (IRM)? Well, I'm quite interested in this field especially subsea pipeline IRM. The recent Macondo blowout set an alarm in the industry and I believe subsea IRM will have a highly significant role from this point forward (anything to do with inspection i supposed).

[Azad]

Sean,

Yes It true that Subsurface related disciplines are better paid then the subsea disciplines.

Subsea Integrity Management Systems (SIMs) include IRM activities, are not generally as well paid as Subsea controls, process/flow assurance, structural etc

Regards
Azad

[sean77]

Sean,

Yes It true that Subsurface related disciplines are better paid then the subsea disciplines.

Subsea Integrity Management Systems (SIMs) include IRM activities, are not generally as well paid as Subsea controls, process/flow assurance, structural etc

Regards
Azad

Azad,

Thanks for the information. All these while, I have this perception that subsea integrity guys get paid really well as compared to other disciplines. What about Subsea Pipeline Engineer in Aberdeen? What is is the average annual salary like?

Since you're an experienced engineer, would really appreciate if you can give me some advice on whether I should continue with subsea pipeline design (rigid) or are there any areas where I should specialized? subsea hardware (xmas tree etc), flow assurance, flexibles engineer, riser engineer, mooring analysis engineer or anything else in your mind??

Thank you very much and I appreciate every single advice from you.

Cheers,
Sean

[Azad]

Subsea Hardware (xmas tree etc) - Mechanical
Flow Assurance - Process

I would suggest you get a good level of experience in pipeline design from concept to feed, detail design and installation. It is advantageous to gain some experience in flexibles & riser engineering, as well as mooring analysis and soil mechanics.

Specialisation can provide greater rewards while there is demand but can also limit chances of getting a job when demand is low in specialised area. My advice would be to gain as varied experience as possible without limiting your opportunities around the globe.

Salary Estimates
Graduate Engineer : 25-35 K [0-2 years Experience]
Engineer : 30-45 K [2-5 Years]
Senior Engineer : 40 - 50 K [5 - 7 Years]

Taxes in UK are quite high!

Regards
Azad

[sean77]

Subsea Hardware (xmas tree etc) - Mechanical
Flow Assurance - Process

I would suggest you get a good level of experience in pipeline design from concept to feed, detail design and installation. It is advantageous to gain some experience in flexibles & riser engineering, as well as mooring analysis and soil mechanics.

Specialisation can provide greater rewards while there is demand but can also limit chances of getting a job when demand is low in specialised area. My advice would be to gain as varied experience as possible without limiting your opportunities around the globe.

Salary Estimates
Graduate Engineer : 25-35 K [0-2 years Experience]
Engineer : 30-45 K [2-5 Years]
Senior Engineer : 40 - 50 K [5 - 7 Years]

Taxes in UK are quite high!

Regards
Azad

Greetings,

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

Are those post-tax salary? 40 - 50 K per annum for a senior pipeline engineer is quite low i think. Well, maybe that's the rate in the UK.

Moving from subsea pipeline to subsea hardware would be a real challenge as both are totally different things. The best place to start as a subsea hardware engineer is definitely the manufacturers (aker, fmc, vetco etc etc) in my opinion.

I guess I'll take your advice and focus on subsea pipeline design at the moment.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Sean

[sameerc12]

Azad, Sean,

Hi! I am a Mechanical Engineer, with 3 years' experience in Offshore Oil & Gas EPC Platform Projects.
I have an offer to study at the University of aberdeen - MSc Subsea Engineering.

Please give your thoughts on this course.
Also, as subsea is a new area of study "for me", please guide how i can make the transition as smooth as possible ...

I would highly appreciate your every advice...

Thanks Mentors ...


Sameer

[aki2cunihin]

Azad, Sean,

Hi! I am a Mechanical Engineer, with 3 years' experience in Offshore Oil & Gas EPC Platform Projects.
I have an offer to study at the University of aberdeen - MSc Subsea Engineering.

Please give your thoughts on this course.
Also, as subsea is a new area of study "for me", please guide how i can make the transition as smooth as possible ...

I would highly appreciate your every advice...

Thanks Mentors ...


Sameer

Sameer,
it's a great opportunity I think..
I am also interested in subsea engineering MSc program taught in University of Aberdeen, and planning to submit the student application next year.
Would you mind sharing about your admission to the University?
I am a Pipeline Engineer with 2 yrs working experience in EPC..how bout my chance?
Is there any scholarship opportunity for the 3rd country citizen?

thanks in advance..
fawzee

[Azad]

Sameer,

It may be a good opporunity to become a subsea mechanical engineer by studying subsea engineering. Subsea engineering is a broad subject with limited specialisation. It may be better to join a subsea company with your current qualifications and get on the job training experience. I would suggest doing Pipeline Engineering course at Newcastle or Cranfield for better job opportunities & financial rewards.


Fawzee,
I think it is probably not a great option to study subsea engineering, you should stick to pipeline engineering. I would suggest you get a good level of experience in pipeline design from concept to feed, detail design and installation. It is advantageous to gain some experience in flexibles & riser engineering, as well as mooring analysis and soil mechanics. Pipeline engineers are better paid then subsea engineers, at least in the UK.

Regards
Azad

[sameerc12]

Thanks Azad,

Well, how is University of Aberdeen rated for the subsea engg. course ?
Also, from where have you completed your specialisation ? and in which discipline ?

How is Uni of Aberdeen rated for subsea engg. (Especially from the employers' point of view) ?

Thanks again for your guidance..!!


Fawzee,
I am from India, and unfortunately Uni of Aberdeen doesn't offer much by way of India specific scholarships...
However, they do have some very interesting "Company Sponsorships" from tech giants such as technip, Opto, chevron, (specifically targeted for british and american nationals)....

You can check it out at the unis course webpage...

Sameer

[sean77]

Sameer,

It may be a good opporunity to become a subsea mechanical engineer by studying subsea engineering. Subsea engineering is a broad subject with limited specialisation. It may be better to join a subsea company with your current qualifications and get on the job training experience. I would suggest doing Pipeline Engineering course at Newcastle or Cranfield for better job opportunities & financial rewards.


Fawzee,
I think it is probably not a great option to study subsea engineering, you should stick to pipeline engineering. I would suggest you get a good level of experience in pipeline design from concept to feed, detail design and installation. It is advantageous to gain some experience in flexibles & riser engineering, as well as mooring analysis and soil mechanics. Pipeline engineers are better paid then subsea engineers, at least in the UK.

Regards
Azad

re


Azad, Sameer, Fawzee:

I agree with your opinion to a certain extent. Subsea engineering is a really broad area and can be generally categorized into 3 main disciplines namely Pipelines, Subsea Systems/Hardware and Flow Assurance. However, I think in the next few years, subsea hardware engineers will be more in demand compared to rigid pipeline engineers as at the moment the numbers are increasing and it is anticipated that there could be a glut of pipeline engineers in the future just like conventional disciplines ie mechanical piping, static, rotating, structural etc. Regarding the course at aberdeen, i can't say much about it and I think we should go with Azad's advice.

I think the question about which is better between subsea hardware vs subsea pipeline depends on the region where you are working. If you look at the prospect 'down under' now, companies are offering experienced subsea hardware engineers out-of-the-world hourly rates for contract positions. The reason being subsea engineers are rare and harder to find compared to pipeline engineers nowadays.

These are just my humble opinion and not necessarily true. I am asking the same question as well whether i should move to subsea hardware engineering.

So Azad, which do you think is better in the next few years? Subsea hardware or subsea pipeline

Cheers