Oil & Gas Recruitment Specialists
With an experienced consultant who has held strategic engineering positions within major international groups, Phénicia Conseil provides high-performance support to clients in sourcing international talent for roles such as Project Managers, Electricians, and Petroleum Engineers.
Overview of the Oil & Gas Sector
Nuclear or hydroelectric power plants, wind or solar farms, electricity or gas networks, offshore oil platforms… energy professionals work across diverse environments to enhance installation safety and address environmental challenges.
The first step is designing and building installations, sometimes defining technical processes. This involves researchers, project managers in engineering offices, R&D engineers, and testing technicians.
Operations and maintenance engineers and technicians then take over, managing processes, monitoring and repairing equipment or networks, and improving machines and installations.
Sales teams and consultants negotiate contracts and help reduce energy costs for clients.
A key feature of the sector is that most activity occurs on production and operational sites, both in France and internationally, especially for major groups. Mobility and proficiency in English are therefore essential.
Key Roles, Training and Qualifications
Wind Project Manager
Responsible for capturing wind energy and converting it into electricity, the Wind Project Manager supervises wind farm installation from preparatory work to construction.
They select sites based on topography and energy potential and conduct technical and economic feasibility studies, including wind frequency, average speed, meteorology, and environmental impacts.
Strong communication and negotiation skills are vital, as the role involves constant interaction with local authorities, citizens, and the media. The manager ensures community support and mitigates concerns about noise or pollution. While primarily office-based, site visits are frequent.
After secondary school:
5 years of study leading to an engineering degree (generalist or specialised) or a Master’s in energy or environmental sciences.
Electrician
Responsible for distributing electricity in buildings, the Electrician installs cable lines, connects equipment, and coordinates work with other construction teams. They read plans, install conduits, set up switches, outlets, heating systems, and perform connections. Testing and commissioning are done in collaboration with clients and site managers. Depending on the site, they may also handle IT cabling, telephony, video surveillance, alarm systems, and climate control.
Key attributes include teamwork, rigour, and responsibility. Career progression to team leader or site manager is possible.
After lower secondary school (3ème):
2 years: CAP Electrician, optionally followed by BP Electrician (2 years), BTM Electrical Installer (2 years), or a FCIL (1 year);
3 years: Bac pro in electricity and connected environments.
After secondary school (Bac):
1 year: MC Technician in Renewable Energies, Option A: Electrical Energy;
2 years: School certificate for Site Manager in Electrical Installation.
Geophysicist
A physicist and mathematician trained in geology, the Geophysicist studies the Earth’s depths. They work in research labs, universities, or companies, specialising in earthquakes, geological structures, or natural resource detection (water, minerals, oil).
Fieldwork involves collaborating with geologists, engineers, and tectonic specialists, measuring electric, magnetic, and seismic waves. Laboratory analysis and IT skills are essential. English proficiency and strong reporting abilities are also required.
After secondary school:
Minimum Bac+5: Engineering degree or Master’s in Geophysics.
Gas Engineer
Gas engineers explore and extract natural gas, often working abroad due to France’s reliance on imports. Gas is transported from terminals to industrial and residential users via extensive networks. Engineers oversee the extension, maintenance, and renewal of pipelines, storage facilities, and distribution systems, managing gas flows while considering climate conditions and consumption forecasts.
After secondary school:
Engineering degree or Master’s with specialisation in energy, geo-resources, geo-risks, or geotechnical engineering (Bac+5).
Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear engineers work on equipment and installations, decommissioning plants, safety, and risk prevention. They conduct studies, tests, engineering supervision, process management, and quality control. They may design or modernise reactors, supervise spent fuel recycling, organise production in plants, and maintain equipment.
The nuclear sector employs around 125,000 people, mainly in energy groups (Areva, EDF, GDF Suez), engineering offices, research institutions, and regulatory agencies. Workforce renewal and ongoing projects create opportunities for recent graduates.
After secondary school:
Bac+5: Engineering degree (generalist or specialised) or Master’s.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum Engineers work with geologists and geophysicists to locate oil deposits and design extraction wells. Reservoir engineers optimise production, while drilling engineers plan well trajectories and supervise operations. Facility engineers manage pipelines and processing plants, ensuring crude oil is refined into petrol, diesel, and heating oil. Process engineers ensure refineries operate efficiently.
After secondary school:
Bac+5: Engineering degree or Master’s.
Hydraulic Engineer
Hydraulic Engineers design and maintain water supply and sanitation systems. They manage infrastructure from pumping stations to taps, evaluate distribution requirements, plan projects, and supervise water intake and well construction. Work often combines field visits and office duties and may include international assignments.
After secondary school:
5 years for an engineering degree specialised in hydraulics, hydrogeology, sanitary or civil engineering.
High-Voltage Line Electrician
Responsible for transporting electricity at up to 400,000 volts from production sites to urban areas, they monitor and maintain electrical lines, detect anomalies, and respond to emergencies rapidly, replacing components or reinforcing protection as needed.
After secondary school:
Bac+2: BTS Electrotechnics.
Geologist
Geologists study the Earth, collecting rock and fossil samples, gas, or soil, analysing minerals, and exploring raw material deposits. They combine fieldwork with laboratory research, using microscopy, aerial photography, and digital tools. Specialisations include soil studies (pedologist) or groundwater (hydrogeologist).
After secondary school:
2 years: BTS Applied Geology for technicians;
5 years: Master’s in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Bio-Geosciences with Geology specialisation, or an engineering degree in geology (École des Mines, EOST Strasbourg, Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais).