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Geology


 Topics
Overview
The work
Job profile
Requirement
Employment
Resources
Overview


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Geologists and geophysicists are down to earth people who are in the business of studying every aspect of the terra firma and translating their expertise into map construction, seismic studies (earthquake prediction, etc.), and searching for oil, natural gas, and minerals.

Geological technologists and technicians work independently or provide technical support and services in the fields of oil and gas exploration and production, geophysics, petroleum engineering, geology, mining and mining engineering, mineralogy, extractive and physical metallurgy and metallurgical engineering.

They work for petroleum and mining companies, consulting geology and engineering firms, and governments and educational institutions, as well as for a variety of manufacturing, construction and utilities companies.

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The Work

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Geological and mineral technologists and technicians conduct geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic or oceanographic surveys. They oversee prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging or underground mine survey programmes. They also operate and maintain geophysical survey and well logging instruments and equipment.

These technologist and technicians prepare notes, sketches, geological maps and cross sections; and prepare, transcribe or analyse seismic, gravimetric, well log or other geophysical and survey data. They help engineers and geologists in the evaluation and analysis of petroleum and mineral reservoirs. It is also their responsibility to prepare or supervise the preparation of rock, mineral, water and metal samples and related physical and chemical laboratory tests. They supervise oil and gas well drilling, well completions and work-overs.

Geological and mineral technologists and technicians also are involved in studies and programmes related to mine development, mining methods, mine ventilation, lighting, drainage and ground control. They help engineers and metallurgists in specifying material selection, metal treatments or corrosion protection systems, and help hydrogeologists in evaluating groundwater and well circulation, and help prepare reports. They develop specifications for heat treatment of metals or for welding, design welding fixtures, troubleshoot welding processes or quality problems, and supervise welding projects.

It is the job of an oil company’s exploration geologist to identify where oil or gas might reasonably be expected to be found and to recommend whether and where an exploratory well (a wildcat) should be drilled. Because drilling is so costly, a good deal of money can hinge on your assessment, and you would need to be comfortable with the risks involved. In the hydrocarbons industry there tends to be little fieldwork and much of the work is desk-based, using computers. In some companies the job roles of exploration geologists and exploration geophysicist are merging into one.

Geological technologists and technicians do much of their work outdoors, often in remote locations. Water technologists also do much of their work outdoors. The work outdoors can be physically demanding, and is done in all kinds of weather.

Some areas are reached only by helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, hiking, boats and all terrain vehicles.

Remote locations and long distances to laboratory and testing facilities can create problems for workers in this group, for example, if there is a requirement for periodic testing of water which is flowing from existing mines. Testing is required to ensure that heavy metal concentrations in the water do not exceed prescribed levels. Remote locations bring extra difficulties.

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Job Profile

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Engineering geologists are professionally involved with proposed development or redevelopment, assessing the impact of ground conditions on schemes such as tunnels, buildings, pipelines, docks and harbours. The ground conditions would include soil (weathered rock or poorly consolidated materials), rock and groundwater.

The transient effects of seismic forces may also be important influences on these materials both during and after construction and would need to be properly taken into account.

A vital and increasingly important activity focuses on the possible risks of environmental damage or hazards to the general population or construction workers on such schemes. The late 1990s have seen strong interest in environmental matters. This places the engineering geologist in the forefront of the balance between economic and ecological factors.

Initial desk studies where maps, plans aerial photographs and satellite imagery would be consulted would be followed by field investigations.

A geologist would decide how to extract maximum information at minimum cost. Quality and quantity of information are critical; mathematical models would be constructed to show the behaviour of rock under different conditions.

It is the job of an oil company’s exploration geologist to identify where oil or gas might reasonably be expected to be found and to recommend whether and where an exploratory well (a wildcat) should be drilled.

Because drilling is so costly, a good deal of money can hinge on your assessment, and you would need to be comfortable with the risks involved.

In the hydrocarbons industry there tends to be little fieldwork and much of the work is desk-based, using computers. In some companies the job roles of exploration geologists and exploration geophysicist are merging into one.

The mine geologist advises the mine manager on geological aspects of development and production. This involves the control of programmes of drilling and surface exploration to determine likely directions for future development.

Some work is underground, observing and noting geological features which influence the mining development.

The mine geologist is often responsible for estimating the mine reserve and should be numerate and computer literate. Being prepared to work abroad and underground are particularly important in hard rock mining.

In an oilfield, the supervision of the collection of information will normally be done by a well-site or operations geologist working for the oil company; one geologist may be supervising a number of wells in the same area.

You would build up knowledge of the structures being drilled and compare this with the exploration geologists' prediction.

Identification of critical strata, from core samples and rock-cutting and wireline data, is a key task. The work is rig-based and involves close liaison with drillers and petroleum engineers, supervision of contracts and reporting to managers.

In addition to technical skills and knowledge, you need to have a robust personality with good communication skills.

Drilling is a round-the-clock activity and you could be called upon to make a decision at any time. At critical times, particularly when entering a potential reservoir, you will need to be active on the site, perhaps for long periods (48 hours without breaks for meals or sleep is not uncommon).

Oil companies may recruit geologists to this job as a prelude to work as an exploration geologist. Alternatively it may be reached after a few years as a mud-logger.

In Geology, one can specialise as:

  • log technician
  • marine technologist
  • geoscience technologist
  • metallurgical technologist
  • mineralogy technician
  • mining technologist
  • petroleum technician
  • petroleum engineering technologist
  • petrology technician
  • reservoir engineering technician
  • rock mechanics technician
  • seismic technician
  • welding technologist
  • geological technician
  • geophysical technologist
  • assayer
  • mining engineering technologist
  • groundwater technologist

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    Requirement
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    Geological and mineral technologists generally take a two to three-year college degrees in geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology, hydrogeology or groundwater technology, mining technology, mining engineering technology, mineralogy, metallurgical technology, or welding technology.

    They might also acquire the necessary knowledge through an undergraduate degree in a related field.

    Geophysics technologists usually require completion of a two to three-year college program in electronics technology. Geological and mineral technicians generally need a one to two-year college programme in a related field.

    Upside
         
  • Travel opportunities
        
  • Flexible schedules

    Downside
         
  • Long hours
        
  • Physical strain

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    Employment
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    Geologists work largely in the mining sector. Demand for technical workers is therefore very dependent on mining developments taking place in the area. Employment in the mining industry is sensitive to business and world commodity price cycles, and therefore has periods of demand and downtime.

    Geologists are recruited for vacancies in the Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board through the examination for Geologists conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Selected candidates are initially put on probation for a period of two years.

    Geological Survey of India puts freshly recruited candidates through training and an internal examination before posting them to any part of the country.

    Postgraduates in Geology/Applied Geology/Marine Geology/Mineral exploration/ Hydrology or Associates in Applied Geology of the Indian School of Mines at Dhanbad are eligible to appear in the examination. They should be between 21 to 30 years in age. The examination has 5 papers in (English, 3 papers in Geology and hydrology).

    Geologists work in the private sector as consultants or are involved in exploration and survey. Several government organisations employ geologists where survey or exploration work has to be done. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation holds a written examination annually in the areas of General Studies, English and Geology, which is followed by an interview. The selection is based on vacancies.

    Oil India Limited is involved in oil exploration. The Mineral Oil Exploration Corporation Limited interviews candidates placements. Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Coal India Ltd offer jobs after a written examination of two papers followed by an interview.

    The Atomic Mineral Division at Hyderabad functions under the Ministry of Atomic Energy. The examination for recruitment is exclusively in Geology and has an objective paper along with a test of practical knowledge. Selected candidates have to take an interview.

    The National Geophysical Research Institute at Hyderabad and the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa select geologists with specialisation and a doctorate qualification. Similar openings are at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology in Dehradun.

    If involved in research, geologists work as research associates with institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science and Technology. These institutes also recruit geologists as scientific officers. Doctorates are preferred for these posts. Many students take up research studies and are aided financially in this by the examination conducted by CSIR. There is a shared fellowship scheme granted under this examination by CSIR and UGC, tenable for 4-5 years.

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    Resources
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    School students who have studied physics, chemistry and mathematics can opt for a career in geology. Admission to university courses is merit based. Several universities offer graduate and post graduate courses in geology.

    A specialised five-year integrated programme in Exploration Geophysics is offered by IIT Kharagpur after one clears the JEE. After a B.Tech./B.E. one can take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) for a three-semester M.Tech. course in geology and geophysics. B.Sc. (Applied Geology)

    * Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai

    B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Geology

    NORTHERN REGION
    Vikram University,
    Ujjain 456 010
    Madhya Pradesh
    Chaudhary Charan Singh University,
    Meerut 250 005
    Uttar Pradesh
    Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University,
    Kanpur 208 024
    Uttar Pradesh
    Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya,
    Indore 452 001
    Madhya Pradesh
    Dr. Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya,
    Sagar 470 003
    Madhya Pradesh
    Guru Ghasidas University,
    Bilaspur 495 009
    Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalay,
    Pachpedi,
    Jabalpur 482 001
    Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University,
    Raipur 492 010
    Madhya Pradesh
    Punjab University,
    Sector 14,
    Chandigarh 160 014
    Guru Nanak Dev University,
    Amritsar 143 005,
    Punjab
    Kurukshetra University,
    Kurukshetra 136 119
    Maharishi Dayanand University,
    Rohtak 124 001
    University of Lucknow,
    Badshah Bagh,
    Lucknow 226 007
    Kumaon University,
    Nainital 263 001
    Kanpur University,
    Kanpur 208 024
    University of Jammu,
    Jammu 180 004
    University of Kashmir,
    Srinagar 190 006
    H.N. Bahuguna Garhwal University,
    Srinagar 246 174,
    Garhwal
    Gujarat University,
    Navrangpura,
    Ahmedabad 380 009
    M.S. University of Baroda,
    Fatehgani,
    Vadodara 390 002
    Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya,
    Bhopal 462 026
    Madhya Pradesh
    Benaras Hindu University,
    Varanasi 221 005
    Uttar Pradesh
    Awadhesh Pratap Singh University,
    Rewa 486 003
    Agra University,
    Agra 282 004
    Aligarh Muslim University,
    Aligarh 202 002

    SOUTHERN REGION
    Sri Venkateshwara University,
    Tirupati 517 502
    Osmania University,
    Hyderabad 500 007
    Nagarjuna University,
    Nagarjuna Nagar 522 510
    University of Mysore,
    Crawford Hall,
    Mysore 570 005
    Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,
    Tirunelvelli 627 008
    Madurai Kamaraj University,
    Madurai 625 021
    University of Madras,
    Chepauk,
    Chennai 600 005
    Bharathidasan University,
    Tiruchirapalli 620 024,
    Tamil Nadu
    Mahatma Gandhi University,
    Kottayam 686 560
    Kerala
    University of Kerala,
    Thiruvananthapuram 695 034
    Karnataka University,
    Pavate Nagar,
    Dharwad 580 003
    Kakatiya University,
    Warangal 506 009
    Andhra Pradesh
    Osmania University,
    Hyderabad 500 007,
    Andhra Pradesh
    Gulbarga University,
    Gulbarga 585 106,
    Karnataka
    University of Calicut,
    Calicut University,
    PO Calicut 673 635
    Bangalore University,
    Jnana Bharati,
    Bangalore 560 056
    Annamalai University,
    PO Annamalainagar 608 002
    Andhra University,
    Vishakapatnam 530 003

    EASTERN REGION
    Vinoba Bhave University,
    Post Box 31,
    Hazaribagh 825 301
    Sambalpur University,
    Burla,
    Sambalpur 768 019
    Ranchi University,
    Ranchi 834 001
    Patna University,
    Patna 800 005
    North Eastern Hill University,
    Shilong 793 022
    University of North Bengal,
    District Darjeeling 734 430
    Gauhati University,
    Guwahati 781 014
    University of Calcutta,
    87, College Street,
    Calcutta 700 073
    Berhampur University,
    Bhanja Bihar,
    Berhampur,
    District Ganjam 760 007
    University of Burdwan,
    PO Rajbati,
    Burdwan 713 104
    Dibrugarh University,
    Dibrugarh 786 004,
    Assam
    Jadavpur University,
    Calcutta 700 032
    Manipur University,
    Imphal 795 003,
    Manipur

    WESTERN REGION
    Shivaji University,
    Vidyanagar,
    Kolhapur 416 004 (Offers Geochemistry also)
    University of Rajasthan,
    Gandhi Nagar,
    Jaipur 302 004
    University of Pune,
    Ganeshkhind,
    Pune 411 007
    Nagpur University,
    Rabindranath Tagore Marg,
    Nagpur 440 001
    Mohanlal Sukhadia University,
    Pratap Naar,
    Udaipur 313 001
    Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati University,
    Ajmer 305 001
    Jai Narain Vyas University,
    Jodhpur 342 001
    Goa University,
    PO Santacruz,
    Taleigao Plateau,
    Goa 403 203
    University of Bombay,
    MG Road,
    Fort,
    Mumbai 400 032 (Offers Geochemistry and Geophysics)
    Amravati University,
    Tapowan Road Camp,
    Amravati 444 602
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad 431 004
    Gujarat University,
    Ahmedabad 380 009
    Saurashtra University,
    Rajkot 360 005,
    Gujarat
    Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University,
    Nanded 431 603