Today's competitive petroleum engineers need elaborate computer skills in addition to the necessary engineering skills. This paper identifies the computer skills and knowledge base that an engineer should master to maintain a competitive position in his company and in the industry. The opinions presented here, from experience, professional interaction, and observation, can lead to further analysis of computers and their application to our profession.
Statistics show that 91% of petroleum industry professionals have at least one computer on their desk and 80% of those spend at least 25% of their time using it. Many have concluded that the computer is the prime tool to use to achieve productivity improvements in our industry. To be competitive, a superior engineer must understand and be able to apply efficiently the computer skills needed in his organization to function effectively, to reduce costs, to return a profit on investment, and to assess and minimize risk. Frequently, he or she must also be able to impart those talents, priorities, and opinions to others.
It has been suggested1 that petroleum engineers are too busy concentrating on their discipline to devote much time to computing. Yet there are those of us who have used our knowledge of computer techniques to perform more efficiently in our organizations. Are you too busy to question and understand the systems available to you? The competitive engineer will not only be able to anticipate the necessity of increased computer usage but also to recommend the direction and the products needed for general implementation.
This paper organizes various computer skills in three levels: basic skills, competence, and excellence. Each section summarizes the skills needed to move to a higher capability. Readers should find their comfort levels and then proceed to a higher level. Note that the computer skills of competitive engineers are in addition to the professional skills a superior engineer needs.
