Harman Patil (Editor)

SPE Certified Petroleum Professional

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The Society of Petroleum Engineers has created a program whereby it certifies the competency of Petroleum Engineers. The certification is given by a written Examination in conjunction with experience of the applicant.

Contents

Certification and Professional Competency

Part of SPE's mission is to assist members in furthering their technical and professional competence. Defining required knowledge for different areas of engineering, and offering an opportunity to demonstrate technical knowledge through examination are two of the ways that SPE accomplishes this. A SPE-certified petroleum professional is competent to provide reserves for oil and gas in accordance with the guidelines promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers[1] Petroleum Resources Management System

Petroleum Professional Certification

While the United States, United Kingdom and some countries have Professional Engineer registration programs, many other countries do not. The Society of Petroleum Engineers developed a certification program for Petroleum Engineers to demonstrate their technical knowledge. The SPE certification program requires a thorough knowledge of the principles of Petroleum Engineering.

The requirements to receive the SPE certification, as listed on the SPE web site in April, 2013:

  1. Undergraduate degree in engineering from a recognized institution.
  2. Passing score on the SPE exam to measure level of engineering fundamentals and ability to solve practical engineering problems. (The site notes that the exam may be waived for those with proof of having passed a written competency examination to practice in petroleum engineering as a registered, licensed, chartered, or professional engineer, although university exit exams are not considered valid for this waiver.)
  3. Demonstration of at least four years of experience and training in engineering.
  4. Membership in good standing with the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Maintenance of the certification requires completing 16 hours of continued professional development and education, in addition to paying an annual renewal fee.

Professional Competency Matrices

Beyond basic engineering skills, many disciplines require specialized expertise gained through training and experience. SPE has identified the skills associated with various levels of competency in five primary areas of engineering.

Guide to Professional Conduct

SPE's Board has set forth the expectations for professional and ethical behavior by petroleum professionals. [2]

References

SPE Certified Petroleum Professional Wikipedia