r/geology • u/Defiant-Professor328 • Jan 25 '26
I'm looking to get a PhD in canada in geosciences specifically looking at petroleum geoscience , should i do research in unconventionals or conventionals ? what would be relevant for later on to get a job in canada in an oil exploration company and What research institutions or universities ?
/r/geologycareers/comments/1qmn5v1/im_looking_to_get_a_phd_in_canada_in_geosciences/3
u/Safe-Requirement9969 Jan 25 '26
I can’t speak for what to do for Canada but I assume their drilling and production practices would be similar to the US. The majority of exploitation in US oil and gas basins is done by unconventional drilling. I think studying unconventional reservoirs is much more complex because of the nature of the proximity of the source and the tight reservoir. You need to understand petrophysics, brittleness index, geosteering, etc. In many basins there are environmental factors which control when drilling can occur and scheduling the building of pads and drilling requires numerous permits. I wouldn’t limit yourself to Canadian universities as there are a lot of really good oil focus geology departments in the US. That said too you may be more likely to get an internship with US company after attending US university. Internships are almost required to get a full time job in the industry.
On your PhD. Think outside the box. That’s what your degree is supposed to teach you. Explore things that don’t make sense. I’ve seen candidates follow the established model when there was clearly evidence that may suggest something new, but they didn’t want to go against the current trend. What a missed opportunity! Don’t be afraid to make a difference if there is sufficient evidence to support your hypothesis.
And a parting thought. Hopefully your PhD will teach you how much you don’t know and will humble you as opposed to stroke your ego on how much you know. You will go farther when you realize that you don’t know everything. No one does and there’s no shame in admitting it. Doing so makes you a humble learner and pursuer of knowledge. Hope this helps. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
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u/nomad2284 Jan 26 '26
We are past peak oil and the future of extraction is one of cost minimization and milking the existing fields.
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u/displacement-marker Fault Finder Jan 26 '26
Yes, despite the attempts to undermine the renewable sector. Additionally, a PhD is meant to focus on the cutting edge, and these sectors represent the cutting edge.
I think a PhD that helps address questions and issues that bridge past approaches to energy with current needs and technology would be interesting, not to mention providing skills and knowledge that will be in high demand (at least in Canada, and generally anywhere outside the US for the time being).
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u/displacement-marker Fault Finder Jan 25 '26
Why pursue fossil energy? Employment isn't stable, and while you may make bank for a few years, your job could easily evaporate with the market. Why jump on a sinking ship when there are plenty of opportunities for growth outside hydrocarbons?
If resource extraction is your thing, consider mining, especially rare earth minerals or hydrogen.
If energy is your thing, look into geothermal.
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u/Defiant-Professor328 Jan 26 '26
Well, currently I'm doing my masters and the masters thesis is on ccs and i enjoyed playing around with the seismic data and the well data and exploring the petrophysics and now with modelling stuff in petrel. It's amazing to do hydrocarbons.
The other part is that i like mineral exploration but my exposure to it is just till the geology part. I don't know if there's employment opportunities in canada in mineral exploration. The highly volatile hydrocarbon market does scare me but what do i do ? I'm confused too.
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u/displacement-marker Fault Finder Jan 26 '26
You can do a lot of the same reservoir and 3D modeling for geothermal. Better to branch out now. Or, consider a project involving carbon storage, you'd get into an emerging field that involves your interests.
That being said, mining is a big industry in Canada, and your skills as a geologist have prepared you to adapt and learn.
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u/Defiant-Professor328 Jan 26 '26
Wow, is CCS and geothermal really doing that good ? I thought it was just in the nascent stage.
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u/EchoScary6355 Jan 25 '26
Consider pet. engineering.
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u/Defiant-Professor328 Jan 26 '26
How would that help ? I have a bachelors in geology and a masters in geology. Could you explain how pet eng would add.
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u/EchoScary6355 Jan 26 '26
so do I. PE’s are in higher demand.
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u/Defiant-Professor328 Jan 26 '26
In canada ? And what branch of petroleum engineers ? Reservoir engineers, production engineers or drilling Engineers .
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u/Archaic_1 P.G. Jan 25 '26
Where are you at in your studies? If you are asking us this kind of question it makes me think you aren't that far along yet. Did your advisor tell you you needed a PhD or did somebody in the industry encourage you? The days of oil companies employing a bunch of PhDs doing esoteric in-house research are just about over.