17 Reservoir Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

The oil and gas industry is a vital part of the global economy, and reservoir engineers are responsible for the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves. This is a complex and challenging job, and interviewers will be looking for candidates with the skills and experience to meet those challenges.

If you’re applying for a reservoir engineer job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer questions about your experience, your understanding of reservoir engineering principles, and your ability to solve problems. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with large amounts of data?

Reservoir engineers often work with large amounts of data, so the interviewer wants to make sure you have experience working in this type of environment. Use your answer to highlight your ability to manage and organize large amounts of information.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with large amounts of data because I’ve done it for many years. In my last position, I was responsible for organizing all of our reservoir engineering projects. This included collecting data from field reports, compiling that data into spreadsheets and then creating graphs and charts based on that data. I also used these tools to create presentations for clients and other stakeholders.”

What are some of the most important skills for a reservoir engineer?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a reservoir engineer and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for a reservoir engineer are problem-solving and communication. A reservoir engineer needs to be able to solve problems quickly, as there may be many issues that arise during the construction process. You also need to be able to communicate effectively with other professionals on a team. I find it helpful to write down my thoughts before speaking with others, which helps me organize my ideas and express them clearly.”

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and continually learning new things. They may ask this question to see if you have a plan for keeping up with the latest developments in reservoir engineering. In your answer, share two or three ways you stay current on industry news. You can also mention any certifications you’re working toward.

Example: “I am currently enrolled in an online course through the American Institute of Reservoir Engineers. I find it helpful to take courses like these because they give me a chance to learn from other professionals. I also subscribe to several reservoir engineering blogs so I can read about what others are doing. I think it’s important to keep up with the latest technology as well, which is why I’m looking into getting my drone certification.”

What is your experience with designing new wells?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific task that is often part of reservoir engineering. Your answer should include information about what you did and how it helped your team or company.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for designing new wells to meet our needs. This included determining where we needed more water storage capacity and creating plans for drilling new wells. I also worked with other engineers on the project to ensure all aspects were accounted for, including construction and maintenance. The process took several months, but in the end, we had enough space to store additional water until we could use it.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem with a well.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your ability to analyze a situation, collect data and make decisions based on your findings.

Example: “In my last position as a reservoir engineer, I had to troubleshoot a well where the water level was dropping at an alarming rate. After inspecting the well, I found that there were several leaks in the piping system. To fix the issue, I replaced the entire piping system with new materials and installed sensors to monitor the water levels for any future issues.”

If we were to visit your previous workplace, what would we see you doing on a typical day?

This question is a great way to learn more about the daily responsibilities of a reservoir engineer. Interviewers ask this question to see if your previous job duties match their expectations for the role. In your answer, try to describe what you would do on a typical day at work. Try to include as many tasks as possible and explain why they are important.

Example: “On a typical day at my last workplace, I would arrive around 8 a.m. and check in with my supervisor. Then, I would review any reports or data that were available from the night before. After that, I would meet with other engineers to discuss our progress and make sure everyone was on track. Throughout the day, I would also be reviewing data and making adjustments to ensure we were meeting production goals.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy between the actual production levels and the ones predicted by the models you created?

An interviewer may ask you this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. Your answer should show that you can use critical thinking, analyze data and make informed decisions.

Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy between the actual production levels and the ones predicted by the models I created, I would first try to understand why there was a difference. If it’s because of an error in my calculations or input data, I would correct the mistake and recalculate the model. If the discrepancy is due to external factors such as weather conditions, I would have to adjust the parameters of the reservoir model to reflect these changes.”

How well do you understand the relationship between pressure, flow rate and porosity?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the fundamentals of reservoir engineering. It’s important for employers to know that you have a strong understanding of these concepts because they’re so fundamental to the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you use pressure, flow rate and porosity in your work.

Example: “Pressure, flow rate and porosity are all interconnected. Pressure is the force per unit area exerted on a surface by a fluid at rest. Flow rate is the volume of fluid that passes through a given surface within a specific amount of time. Porosity is the ratio between the total pore space and the solid matter in a rock formation.”

Do you have experience working with engineers from other disciplines? If so, how did you manage the collaboration?

Reservoir engineers often work with other professionals, such as geologists and environmental scientists. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience collaborating with others and how well you can communicate with them. Use examples from your past experience to show that you are a good communicator and team player.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of engineers in my career. I find it helpful to meet with all the relevant parties before beginning any project so we can discuss our individual roles and responsibilities. This helps me understand what information they need from me and vice versa. It also allows us to establish clear expectations for each other and develop a timeline for the project.”

When would you recommend plugging and abandoning a well?

This question can help interviewers understand your decision-making process and how you apply it to the job. Use examples from your experience that show your ability to make important decisions, such as when plugging a well is more cost-effective than repairing it.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing several wells in an oil field. One of these wells had a small leak that we couldn’t repair due to its location on a steep hillside. We decided to plug this well because repairing it would have been too costly compared to other options. Plugging the well allowed us to save money while still producing oil.”

We want to increase production without having to drill new wells. What would be the best strategy for you?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how you would apply your engineering skills and knowledge to increase production at their company. Use examples from past projects where you helped increase production without having to drill new wells.

Example: “I would first analyze the current water usage, which includes both surface water and groundwater sources. Then I would determine if there are any areas of improvement that could be made by increasing efficiency or reducing waste. If not, then I would look into alternative methods of sourcing water such as desalination plants or recycling facilities. These options can help reduce the need to drill new wells while still maintaining high levels of production.”

Describe your experience with using artificial lift techniques.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific skill that’s important for this role. Use your answer to highlight your skills and abilities, such as how you use artificial lift techniques in your current or past job.

Example: “In my last position, I used artificial lift techniques to increase the amount of oil production from our wells. One way I did this was by using gas injection methods, which involves injecting natural gas into an oil well to push out more oil. Another method I used was water injection, where I injected water into the ground to force out more oil. These two methods helped me increase production at one of my sites by 20%.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they align with the job. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that are relevant to reservoir engineering. Focus on highlighting these skills rather than listing every qualification you have.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me an excellent candidate for this position. I understand the importance of planning ahead and making sure my work is accurate. In my last role, I was responsible for overseeing construction projects, so I know how to manage large teams and delegate tasks effectively. These skills will help me succeed in this role.”

Which oil and gas industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to their company. When answering this question, make sure you mention which oil and gas industries you have worked in and what type of projects you completed while working there.

Example: “I’ve primarily worked in the onshore oil and gas industry throughout my career as a reservoir engineer. I started out working with small companies that were just starting up, helping them develop their drilling plans and find new wells. Eventually, I moved into larger companies where I was able to work on more complex projects, like building pipelines and refineries.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being a reservoir engineer?

This question can help interviewers understand what you find challenging and how you approach challenges. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on a challenge, but also have the skills necessary to overcome it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a reservoir engineer is finding solutions for water shortages in areas where there isn’t enough rainfall or snowfall. I enjoy problem-solving, so this is something I look forward to when interviewing for new positions. In my last position, I worked with local farmers to create irrigation systems that would use less water while still producing crops.”

How often do you make mistakes when designing new wells?

This question can help interviewers understand how much experience you have as a reservoir engineer. They may also want to know if you are willing to admit when you make mistakes and learn from them. In your answer, try to be honest about the amount of mistakes you’ve made in the past and what you learned from them.

Example: “I used to make many mistakes when designing new wells because I was still learning the process. However, now that I have more experience, I rarely make mistakes during this part of the design process. If I do make a mistake, I take time to analyze it so I can learn from my mistake and not make it again.”

There is a mistake in your model that hasn’t been noticed yet, but it will cause a production problem in six months. What do you do?

This question is a test of your problem-solving skills. It’s important to show that you can identify and solve problems quickly, especially if they are time sensitive. In your answer, explain how you would go about identifying the mistake, what steps you would take to fix it and how you would communicate with others involved in the project.

Example: “I would first check my calculations and compare them to other models. If I still couldn’t find the error, I would contact my supervisor immediately so we could discuss our options. We would then decide whether or not to restart the entire model from scratch or just make changes to the current one. Either way, we would need to inform everyone else working on the project so they could adjust their work accordingly.”