Here's how you can navigate technical interview questions in the oil and gas industry.

Candidates with a solid understanding of technical fundamentals are better when it comes to operations and contribute effectively to project planning, execution, and problem-solving. Understanding fundamental concepts allows you to speak short, crisp and intelligently during an interview. For freshers, interviewers are not looking for an extreme deep dive into technical, but rather expecting to have a strong fundamentals. Answering all questions does not matters, what matters is how well you are answering the questions you really know.

As a petroleum engineer, it is very essential to have basic knowledge on all the subjects such as sedimentary and petroleum geology, geophysics, well logging and formation evaluation, which form a base to the subjects like drilling tech., reservoir engineering, production engineering, etc. It is sufficient to ace an interview and defend well when questioned on basics, for an entry level position, with strong understanding of the job description.

Staying informed about current trends and advancements in the oil and gas sector is crucial for interviews. You could follow industry publications, attend conferences, join online forums, and engage with professionals in the field to stay updated. Key topics to focus on might include renewable energy integration, digitalization, environmental regulations, and emerging technologies like fracking and carbon capture.

Keeping up with current trends in the oil and gas sector, like new technologies and sustainability practices, is crucial. This knowledge demonstrates your strategic thinking and readiness for future changes, helping you navigate technical interview questions effectively. Discussing these trends shows you as a forward-thinking, valuable asset in this dynamic industry.

Interviewers often use scenario-based questions to assess candidates' practical skills and problem-solving abilities. These scenarios may involve hypothetical situations or real-life challenges that candidates could encounter on the job. For example, in terms of production, they might ask how you would handle a sudden equipment failure, well closures, production management, hydrate issues etc. These questions should be encountered by giving a real-life situation. They may ask how you would prioritize competing demands, assess risks, or make difficult decisions with limited information.

If you're an experienced professional, the interviewer would most likely be interested in knowing your previous experiences and practical applications of theoretical concepts. Be clear on what you've done and how that impacted your value drivers. For freshers, the experience gained through internships and trainings is of utmost importance. Don't shy away from asking questions because these experiences will help you the most in your future interviews and jobs.

Sometimes, the interviewers look for those candidates who are capable enough to quickly think of possible solutions for a practical problem. This efficiency can only be gained when we pay attention to the laboratory sessions that we perform as a part of our course curriculum, the industrial trainings we do as a part of our summer and winter internships, etc. It is always necessary to jot down important points to quickly refer when needed.

Safety protocols in the oil and gas industry are comprehensive sets of guidelines and procedures designed to prevent accidents, injuries, and environmental damage. It measures such as equipment inspections, training programs, emergency response plans, and regular safety audits. During an interview, you can discuss about any previous roles where you were involved in implementing or adhering to safety protocols and risk management practices. Highlight any experience you have in conducting risk assessments, developing contingency plans, and implementing controls to minimize risks. Explain how you prioritize safety in your work and encourage others to do the same. This demonstrates commitment to maintaining a safe work environment

In the oil and gas industry, teamwork is the backbone of successful operations. Sharing experiences of collaboration and problem-solving not only showcases an individual's ability to thrive in a team environment but also reflects their commitment to achieving collective goals. These qualities are indispensable in an industry where challenges are often complex and dynamic, making teamwork a critical factor in driving success.

As petroleum engineers, we can be suitable for a career as a drilling engineer, production engineer or a reservoir engineer. Each role has its own technicalities and challenges. It is us who have to grasp knowledge and mold ourselves according to the position to which we are being interviewed. We should give the interviewers that confidence that we are willing to sustain in this particular domain for a long time and contribute to the business operations of the company at which we are having a strong desire to work with.

An emerging trend in the industry is to work with industry peers on issues around digitalisation, sustainability including commitment to low carbon initiatives etc. Any experience in working across a peer group as an external face of the company is an asset. Use it to demonstrate influencing skills and working on projects that has potential to shape ways of working in future.