Petroleum Companies in Pakistan: A Guide for Interview Preparation

Why Students Should Consider a Career at Dewan Petroleum

Choosing a career at Dewan Petroleum offers students multiple opportunities to work in an industry that is essential to Pakistan’s energy landscape.

It provides an opportunity to work with cutting-edge exploration technologies and gain exposure to field operations.

Students will experience hands-on work while contributing to Pakistan’s energy security by working on indigenous resource development.

Dewan Petroleum offers learning opportunities in diverse fields such as geophysics, reservoir management, production engineering, HSE, and supply chain management.

Being part of Dewan Group, a diversified conglomerate, provides growth opportunities that extend beyond the energy sector.

Common Interview Questions at Dewan Petroleum with Sample Answers

General Questions

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am a final-year student with a strong interest in Pakistan’s energy landscape, particularly in exploration and production. I’ve studied courses related to petroleum engineering, project management, and sustainability, which makes Dewan Petroleum an ideal place for me to apply my learning and gain practical industry exposure.

2. Why do you want to work at Dewan Petroleum?

Dewan Petroleum has played a key role in Pakistan’s upstream energy sector. Its focus on local resource development, innovative technology adoption, and commitment to safety and sustainability aligns with my personal and professional aspirations. I want to contribute to responsible exploration and help enhance domestic energy self-sufficiency.

3. What do you know about Dewan Petroleum?

Dewan Petroleum Private Limited is part of Dewan Group and is one of Pakistan’s leading private exploration and production companies. The company operates onshore blocks in Punjab, Sindh, and KPK. One of its most successful projects is the Safed Koh Block, where it made significant gas discoveries. DPPL follows international operational standards, emphasizing safety, environmental responsibility, and technical excellence.

Technical/Industry Knowledge Questions

1. What is the importance of onshore exploration for Pakistan?

Onshore exploration is cost-effective compared to offshore drilling and faster to develop. For a country like Pakistan, where energy demand is rising and foreign exchange reserves are limited, onshore discoveries help reduce import reliance. Companies like Dewan Petroleum, as oil exploration companies in Pakistan, play a critical role in tapping these local reserves to ensure energy security.

2. What are the key stages in the E&P process?

• Exploration: Seismic surveys, geological studies, and exploratory drilling.
• Appraisal: Evaluation of discovery size, quality, and commercial viability.
• Development: Planning and building production facilities, drilling development wells.
• Production: Extracting hydrocarbons and delivering them to the market.
• Decommissioning: Safely closing and restoring the site at the end of the field’s life.

3. How do you ensure safety at drilling and production sites?

• Conducting thorough risk assessments before operations.
• Implementing HSE management systems compliant with international standards.
• Providing regular safety training for all personnel.
• Monitoring pressure, temperature, and other parameters to detect anomalies early.
• Having emergency response plans in place.

Marketing and Corporate Image Questions

1. How can Dewan Petroleum attract young talent?

Dewan Petroleum can attract young talent by developing internship programs tailored for engineering, geology, and business students. The company should organize career fairs and technical workshops at top universities and use social media campaigns to showcase DPPL’s projects, technology, and workplace culture. Highlighting career growth opportunities and the chance to work on national-scale projects would make it a top choice for fresh graduates.

2. How can DPPL improve its public image regarding sustainability?

Publicly sharing sustainability reports and emission reduction efforts, as well as investing in community development projects near operating fields, would improve DPPL’s public image. Additionally, partnering with research institutions to promote cleaner drilling technologies, adopting water recycling and waste management at production sites, and showcasing its commitment to environmental protection through social media storytelling would help establish DPPL as a leader in sustainable operations.

Situational and Behavioral Questions

1. Tell us about a time you solved a challenging problem in a team project.

During a university project, we were tasked with designing a drilling fluid system for high-pressure wells. Our initial design failed during simulations, and the team was under pressure. I initiated a brainstorming session, where we split up the problem into smaller parts—fluid composition, pressure modeling, and temperature effects. By collaborating closely, we revised the design, and our project eventually won best technical report.

2. If you are posted at a remote well site, how will you manage the challenges?

• Be mentally prepared for tough working conditions and isolation.
• Focus on learning from senior field engineers.
• Maintain constant communication with the head office.
• Follow safety protocols strictly to protect myself and my team.
• Treat the posting as an opportunity to gain hands-on operational expertise.

Sustainability and Innovation Questions

1. What innovative technologies can help DPPL improve production efficiency?

The use of horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing can maximize recovery. Adopting real-time well monitoring systems to detect issues early, deploying enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques such as gas injection, implementing remote sensing and drone surveillance for better field management, and using AI-based reservoir modeling for better decision-making are all technologies that could help DPPL improve production efficiency.

2. How can DPPL contribute to the energy transition?

Investing in hybrid energy systems, combining gas with solar or wind for field operations, working on methane emissions reduction projects, exploring carbon capture solutions at production facilities, educating local communities about energy conservation, and collaborating with academia to research cleaner exploration methods can contribute to the energy transition.

Final Tips for Dewan Petroleum Interview Success

• Study DPPL’s key blocks and discoveries, especially the Safed Koh Block.
• Be clear about the role of private E&P companies in Pakistan’s energy mix.
• Familiarize yourself with upstream oil and gas terminology (reserves, recovery factor, seismic data interpretation).
• Highlight teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability to fieldwork conditions.
• Demonstrate awareness of HSE