Offshore Platforms and Mechanical Engineering

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the role of various engineering disciplines in the offshore platforms and oil rigs industry, particularly focusing on the relevance of mechanical engineering compared to other fields such as structural and marine engineering. Participants explore the types of jobs available for mechanical engineers in this sector.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about which engineering branch is most associated with offshore platforms, noting a perception that mechanical engineers are prevalent in the field.
  • Another participant mentions that mechanical engineers often oversee instrumentation and perform analyses to ensure operational efficiency on offshore platforms.
  • A third participant lists various engineering disciplines involved in offshore operations, including mechanical, structural, marine, petroleum, chemical, and electrical engineering, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the industry.
  • A later reply suggests that for designing vessels, naval architecture and structural engineering are relevant, while system design may require specialization in mechanical or electrical engineering, and well design pertains to petroleum engineering.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that multiple engineering disciplines are involved in offshore platforms, but there is no consensus on the predominant role of mechanical engineering compared to others.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of specific engineering disciplines for different aspects of offshore platform design and operation, but the discussion does not resolve which discipline is most critical overall.

||spoon||
Messages
227
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and am really interested in Offshore platforms/Oil rigs etc.

What branch of engineering is most commonly associated with this industry? I would have thought structural would be very active but constantly hear that mechanical engineers are very numerous in this field.

The role of structural engineers in rig design/construction is pretty obvious. I was also wondering what kind of jobs a mechanical engineer would be likely to obtain in this area?

Cheers,

- Spoon
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I know a few MEs who are working offshore at entry level. They watch over all of the instrumentation and do analysis to make sure everything is and will continue to run smoothly. I don't know much more than the basic details of that though.

MEs will also be the ones designing and managing the manufacture of many of the components including, for example, those under products and systems at http://www.geoilandgas.com/businesses/ge_oilandgas/en/prod_serv/index.htm .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mechanical engineering (structure and power systems), structural engineering (could also be Civ Eng), marine engineering (Civ Eng specializing in marine structures), Petroleum engineering (exploration and well logging), Chemical engineering (Process engineering, storage systems, separation), Electrical engineering (electronics and electrical power systems) are all displines represented on an exploration or production platform.

In addition to the labourers.
 
||spoon|| said:
Hi,

I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and am really interested in Offshore platforms/Oil rigs etc.

What branch of engineering is most commonly associated with this industry? I would have thought structural would be very active but constantly hear that mechanical engineers are very numerous in this field.

The role of structural engineers in rig design/construction is pretty obvious. I was also wondering what kind of jobs a mechanical engineer would be likely to obtain in this area?

Cheers,

- Spoon

Like Astro pointed out, we use all types of engineering disciplines.

If you want to design the vessel, you should look into Naval Architecture and Structural Engineering. If you want to design the systems on board, you'll have to decided what system (i.e. mechanical, electrical, etc).

If you want to design wells and the like, you'll want to look into Petroleum Engineering.

CS
 

Similar threads

Engineering Mechanical Engineer looking for Career Advice
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Need Some Advice on My Job Perspective
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Engineering Trouble with choosing how to shape my engineering career
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Engineering Is a career in Optics/Photonics engineering right for me?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Engineering Electrical vs Mechanical Engineering: Jobs, Demand, Roles
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
Engineering Project Engineer to Design Engineer
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
6K
Engineering Engineering jobs for a naturalized US citizen
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Engineering Want to study mechanical engineering.... but failing physics exams?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Engineering Mechanical engineer but experience only in startups
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Engineering Mechanical Engineer Technologist Career
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K