Petroleum engineering refers to the engineering activities related to the finding and producing of naturally occurring subsurface hydrocarbon resources by the application of earth and physical sciences. The petroleum engineer evaluates potential oil and gas reservoirs, oversees drilling activities, selects and implements recovery schemes, and designs surface collection and treatment facilities.

With 100 million barrels of oil and 400 billion standard cubic feet of gas used worldwide every day, the demand for workers skilled in petroleum engineering continues to be high. Trinidad and Tobago remains a country where oil and gas are key contributors in the economy. Additionally, natural gas is seen as a cleaner fossil fuel and a transition fuel for the foreseeable future. Renewable energy is expanding, but it has not yet replaced oil and gas.