Oil & gas Jobs in South korea

Why Work in the Oil & Gas in South Korea

Strategic Location in Asia
South Korea is a key hub in Northeast Asia, offering access to major regional markets like China and Japan. Its well-developed ports and shipping infrastructure make it an ideal base for regional operations.

Strong Industrial Base
South Korea boasts a highly developed manufacturing and engineering sector. This industrial strength supports a robust oil and gas supply chain, including equipment manufacturing, refinery operations, and petrochemical production.

Advanced Technology and Innovation
The country is known for its technological innovation, which extends into the energy sector. Companies in South Korea often invest in cutting-edge technologies that improve efficiency, safety, and environmental performance in oil and gas operations.

Government Support and Policy Stability
The South Korean government maintains a stable regulatory environment and has policies in place to support energy security and industrial development. This creates a favorable environment for long-term investment and career growth.

Opportunities in LNG and Clean Energy Transition
With a growing focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and cleaner energy sources, South Korea presents new opportunities for professionals involved in the transition to low-emission fuels while still leveraging oil and gas expertise.

High Standards of Safety and Training
The oil and gas sector in South Korea emphasizes safety and professional training. Workers benefit from strong workplace standards and ongoing development, creating a secure and skilled work environment.

Competitive Compensation and Global Exposure
Jobs in the South Korean oil and gas industry often offer competitive salaries and the opportunity to work in multinational teams. This provides valuable global experience and career advancement prospects.

Creative Oil & Gas in South Korea for International Candidates

A Dynamic Industry at the Crossroads of Innovation
South Korea’s oil and gas sector is not just about traditional energy—it’s about transformation. From advanced refinery technologies to digital integration in plant operations, the industry is evolving rapidly, opening doors for creative thinkers and problem-solvers.

Global Projects with Local Excellence
South Korean companies like Hyundai Heavy Industries, SK Energy, and GS Caltex are engaged in major international oil and gas projects. International candidates can contribute to high-impact initiatives while learning from Korea’s reputation for engineering precision and operational efficiency.

Gateway to the Energy Transition
With increasing investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies, South Korea is building a bridge between conventional oil and gas and the future of energy. Professionals with expertise in both fossil fuels and renewables will find unique opportunities to innovate and lead.

Multicultural Workforce, Global Collaboration
Many South Korean energy firms operate globally and actively seek international expertise. English-speaking professionals with diverse backgrounds are increasingly welcomed, especially in engineering, project management, and environmental roles.

Creative Problem Solving in Complex Environments
The oil and gas sector in South Korea values ingenuity in tackling complex challenges—from deepwater exploration to refining process optimization. International candidates with a creative, solution-driven mindset will find meaningful roles that require both technical skill and strategic thinking.

Supportive Ecosystem for Professional Growth
With strong government-industry collaboration, ongoing training programs, and global certifications, South Korea provides international talent with the tools to grow professionally. Career advancement and skill development are highly encouraged, especially in technical and leadership tracks.

Positioned for Global Impact
Working in South Korea offers more than a job—it’s a platform to make a global impact. Whether contributing to cleaner energy production, smarter infrastructure, or sustainable resource management, international professionals play a vital role in shaping the future of energy in Asia and beyond.

Types of Oil & Gas Jobs in South Korea

Engineering and Technical Roles

Petroleum Engineers – Design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth's surface.
Reservoir Engineers – Analyze reservoir behavior and maximize oil and gas recovery.
Process Engineers – Focus on refining, petrochemical, and gas processing plant operations.
Mechanical Engineers – Handle equipment design, maintenance, and reliability in upstream and downstream facilities.
Electrical & Instrumentation Engineers – Design and maintain control systems, power systems, and automation.
Subsea and Offshore Engineers – Specialize in underwater and offshore extraction infrastructure.

Operations and Maintenance

Production Operators – Manage the daily operations of oil and gas production facilities.
Maintenance Technicians – Responsible for servicing mechanical and electrical systems.
Control Room Operators – Monitor and control plant systems from centralized locations.
Field Service Technicians – Support equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting at client or project sites.

Project Management and Support

Project Managers – Oversee timelines, budgets, and coordination of large-scale oil and gas projects.
Construction Managers – Lead on-site activities during the development phase of facilities.
Planners and Schedulers – Develop detailed project timelines and coordinate resources.
Contract Administrators – Manage contracts, procurement, and compliance with project specifications.

Geosciences and Environmental

Geologists and Geophysicists – Conduct subsurface studies to locate viable oil and gas reserves.
Environmental Engineers – Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and manage impact assessments.
HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) Specialists – Promote safe work practices and manage risk assessments.

Supply Chain and Logistics

Procurement Officers – Source equipment, materials, and services for operations.
Logistics Coordinators – Manage transportation and delivery of goods to sites and plants.
Warehouse and Inventory Managers – Oversee materials management and inventory control.

Corporate and Commercial Roles

Business Development Managers – Identify growth opportunities and partnerships.
Financial Analysts – Support capital budgeting, cost control, and investment planning.
Legal and Compliance Officers – Handle regulatory, contractual, and legal aspects of operations.
Human Resources and Training Specialists – Support recruitment, employee development, and workforce planning.

Average Salary of Top 20 Job Profile of Oil & Gas in South Korea

Job Title	USD/year	INR/year	KRW/year
Petroleum Engineer	$95,000	₹7,88,5000	₩123,500,000
Reservoir Engineer	$92,000	₹7,63,6000	₩119,600,000
Process Engineer	$80,000	₹6,64,0000	₩104,000,000
Mechanical Engineer	$78,000	₹6,47,4000	₩101,400,000
Electrical Engineer	$76,000	₹6,30,8000	₩98,800,000
Subsea/Offshore Engineer	$90,000	₹7,47,0000	₩117,000,000
Production Operator	$62,000	₹5,14,6000	₩80,600,000
Maintenance Technician	$58,000	₹4,81,4000	₩75,400,000
Control Room Operator	$60,000	₹4,98,0000	₩78,000,000
Project Manager	$105,000	₹8,71,5000	₩136,500,000
Construction Manager	$95,000	₹7,88,5000	₩123,500,000
Planner / Scheduler	$70,000	₹5,81,0000	₩91,000,000
Contract Administrator	$72,000	₹5,97,6000	₩93,600,000
Geologist / Geophysicist	$85,000	₹7,05,5000	₩110,500,000
Environmental Engineer	$75,000	₹6,22,5000	₩97,500,000
HSE Specialist	$73,000	₹6,05,9000	₩94,900,000
Procurement Officer	$68,000	₹5,64,4000	₩88,400,000
Logistics Coordinator	$65,000	₹5,39,5000	₩84,500,000
Business Development Manager	$98,000	₹8,13,4000	₩127,400,000
Financial Analyst	$77,000	₹6,39,1000	₩100,100,000

Job Eligibility to Work in Oil & Gas in South Korea for International Job Applicants.

Eligibility Criteria	Details / Requirements
Educational Qualifications	Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Geosciences, Environmental Science, or related field
Relevant Work Experience	2–10+ years, depending on the role (senior roles may require 10+ years of specific experience)
Technical Certifications	Preferred: PMP, NEBOSH, API, AWS, NACE, HAZOP, ISO, or equivalent, depending on role
Language Requirements	English proficiency required; basic Korean is an advantage but not mandatory for many technical roles
Work Visa / E-7 Visa	Must obtain an E-7 (Specialty Occupation) Visa sponsored by the hiring employer
Criminal Background Check	Clean background check often required for visa and company onboarding
Medical Fitness	Must pass a health check, including for offshore or industrial roles
Employer Sponsorship	Job offer must be secured prior to visa application; employer will sponsor the visa
Korean Engineering License (optional)	Not mandatory but beneficial for certain regulated positions, especially in civil or plant design
Adaptability & Cultural Awareness	Willingness to work in a Korean corporate environment and adapt to local workplace practices

General Roles and Responsibilities in Oil & Gas Jobs in South Korea with 20 Job Profiles

Job Profile	General Roles and Responsibilities
Petroleum Engineer	Design drilling and extraction methods; optimize production; ensure cost-efficiency and safety.
Reservoir Engineer	Analyze reservoir data; estimate reserves; design recovery strategies to maximize output.
Process Engineer	Develop and improve refining or gas processing systems; ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance.
Mechanical Engineer	Design, install, and maintain mechanical systems in plants or rigs; resolve equipment failures.
Electrical Engineer	Manage electrical systems; design power distribution; oversee maintenance and safety compliance.
Instrumentation Engineer	Calibrate and maintain control systems; support automation and real-time monitoring of equipment.
Subsea/Offshore Engineer	Design and manage offshore facilities, pipelines, and equipment; ensure reliability under extreme conditions.
Production Operator	Monitor daily production; operate equipment and control systems; perform routine checks.
Maintenance Technician	Perform preventive and corrective maintenance; troubleshoot equipment issues in plants or field.
Control Room Operator	Monitor plant systems via SCADA/DCS; respond to alarms; manage operational flow and parameters.
Project Manager	Oversee oil and gas projects; manage budget, schedule, and coordination between disciplines.
Construction Manager	Lead site construction activities; ensure compliance with engineering specs, safety, and quality.
Planner / Scheduler	Create project timelines; allocate resources; monitor project progress and report deviations.
Contract Administrator	Draft, review, and manage contracts; coordinate with legal and procurement teams.
Geologist / Geophysicist	Conduct seismic analysis; assess subsurface structures; support drilling and exploration decisions.
Environmental Engineer	Conduct environmental impact assessments; ensure operations meet environmental laws and standards.
HSE Specialist	Develop and enforce safety policies; lead safety audits and training; manage risk assessments.
Procurement Officer	Source and purchase equipment/materials; manage vendor relations; ensure timely delivery.
Logistics Coordinator	Organize transport and delivery of materials; track shipments; manage site logistics.
Business Development Manager	Identify new market opportunities; build client relationships; lead bids and tenders.

General Job Eligibility to work in Oil & Gas in South Korea with 20 Job Profiles

Job Profile	Educational Qualification	Experience Required	Preferred Certifications / Skills
Petroleum Engineer	B.E./B.Tech or M.Sc in Petroleum Engineering	3–7 years	API, drilling software (e.g., Landmark, Petrel)
Reservoir Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Petroleum/Chemical Engineering	3–8 years	Reservoir simulation tools (ECLIPSE, CMG)
Process Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering	2–6 years	HAZOP, Aspen HYSYS, ISO 9001
Mechanical Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering	2–6 years	Piping, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ASME codes
Electrical Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Electrical Engineering	2–6 years	IEC standards, ETAP, grounding, substation design
Instrumentation Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Instrumentation/Electrical Engg.	3–7 years	PLC/DCS systems, Foundation Fieldbus, HART, ISA standards
Subsea/Offshore Engineer	B.E./B.Tech in Marine/Mechanical/Oil & Gas Engg.	5–10 years	Offshore certifications (e.g., BOSIET, IMCA, API standards)
Production Operator	Diploma or B.E. in Mechanical/Chemical Engg.	2–5 years	Control systems, shift work experience
Maintenance Technician	Diploma or Trade Certification	2–5 years	Preventive/predictive maintenance, hands-on technical skills
Control Room Operator	Diploma/B.E. in Chemical/Instrumentation	3–6 years	SCADA, DCS (Yokogawa, Honeywell, Siemens)
Project Manager	B.E./B.Tech + PMP or MPM	8–15 years	PMP®, Primavera, MS Project, multi-disciplinary leadership
Construction Manager	B.E./B.Tech in Civil/Mechanical	8–12 years	Site supervision, safety management, EPC projects
Planner / Scheduler	B.E./B.Tech or MBA	3–7 years	Primavera P6, MS Project, resource allocation
Contract Administrator	B.E./LLB/MBA (Contracts or Commercial)	4–8 years	FIDIC, contract negotiation, ERP systems
Geologist / Geophysicist	M.Sc in Geology/Geophysics	3–7 years	Seismic software (Petrel, Kingdom), field exploration
Environmental Engineer	B.E. or M.Sc in Environmental Engineering	2–6 years	EIA, ISO 14001, regulatory compliance
HSE Specialist	B.E./B.Sc + HSE Certifications	4–10 years	NEBOSH, OSHA, ISO 45001, risk assessment
Procurement Officer	B.Com / BBA / B.E. + SCM certification	3–7 years	SAP, ERP, contract/vendor management
Logistics Coordinator	BBA / B.Com / Diploma in Logistics	2–5 years	Supply chain software, customs clearance knowledge
Business Development Manager	B.E./MBA in Marketing or Energy Mgmt.	5–10 years	Tendering, client acquisition, international business

Experience Required to work in Oil & Gas in South Korea

Job Profile	Experience Required (Years)	Typical Level	Remarks
Petroleum Engineer	3–7 years	Mid-Level	Experience in drilling, reservoir, or production engineering preferred.
Reservoir Engineer	4–8 years	Mid to Senior Level	Knowledge of reservoir modeling and simulation is essential.
Process Engineer	2–6 years	Junior to Mid-Level	Refining, LNG, or petrochemical plant experience is preferred.
Mechanical Engineer	2–6 years	Junior to Mid-Level	Rotating/static equipment experience is valued.
Electrical Engineer	2–6 years	Junior to Mid-Level	Power systems and control systems experience required.
Instrumentation Engineer	3–7 years	Mid-Level	Exposure to DCS/PLC systems and field instrumentation is essential.
Subsea/Offshore Engineer	5–10 years	Senior Level	Offshore or subsea project experience is a must. BOSIET preferred.
Production Operator	2–5 years	Technician / Operator	Shift operation and process monitoring experience required.
Maintenance Technician	2–5 years	Technician / Skilled Trade	Hands-on industrial maintenance experience in oil & gas or heavy industry.
Control Room Operator	3–6 years	Technician / Mid-Level	Experience with SCADA/DCS control room systems is essential.
Project Manager	8–15 years	Senior Level	Large-scale EPC or energy infrastructure project experience is expected.
Construction Manager	8–12 years	Senior Level	Field construction supervision experience in oil & gas required.
Planner / Scheduler	3–7 years	Mid-Level	Scheduling experience using Primavera or MS Project required.
Contract Administrator	4–8 years	Mid-Level	Contract drafting, negotiation, and vendor coordination experience needed.
Geologist / Geophysicist	3–7 years	Mid-Level	Field exploration and seismic interpretation experience required.
Environmental Engineer	2–6 years	Junior to Mid-Level	Environmental compliance and EIA experience required.
HSE Specialist	4–10 years	Mid to Senior Level	NEBOSH, OSHA certifications plus field HSE experience essential.
Procurement Officer	3–7 years	Mid-Level	Experience in oil & gas sourcing, supplier management, SAP preferred.
Logistics Coordinator	2–5 years	Junior to Mid-Level	Oil & gas logistics or industrial shipping experience required.
Business Development Manager	5–10 years	Senior Level	Experience in tendering, client acquisition, or commercial operations.

Top Hiring Companies in South Korea of International Candidates in Oil & Gas

Company	Sector Focus	Hiring Notes for International Candidates
Hyundai Engineering & Construction (HDEC)	EPC, Refining, Petrochemical Projects	Regularly hires foreign engineers for global and domestic energy projects.
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)	Offshore Platforms, Shipbuilding, LNG	Seeks skilled expat engineers for shipyards, FPSOs, and offshore modules.
Samsung Engineering	Refining, Petrochemicals, LNG	Employs international experts for FEED, EPC, and project execution.
GS Engineering & Construction	Oil & Gas, Refining, LNG	International roles in project management, QA/QC, and construction engineering.
SK Energy / SK Innovation	Refining, Petrochemicals, Battery Materials	Selective global hiring in R&D, refining, and clean energy transition projects.
Daewoo E&C	Oil & Gas, LNG, Civil	Has hired expat professionals for international and large-scale plant projects.
Doosan Enerbility (formerly Doosan Heavy Industries)	Power, Oil & Gas, Engineering Services	Global roles in turbine systems, EPC projects, and environmental engineering.
POSCO E&C	LNG Terminals, Energy Infrastructure	Occasionally hires foreign engineers and specialists in LNG construction.
Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS)	LNG Import/Distribution, Energy Trading	Limited international hiring, but opportunities in trading and strategy exist.
S-OIL (Aramco Joint Venture)	Refining, Petrochemicals	Occasionally hires international candidates through Aramco’s global mobility.
Lotte Chemical	Petrochemicals, Refining, R&D	Limited foreign recruitment but some roles in research and technology.
Hanwha Energy / Hanwha Solutions	Energy Transition, LNG, Hydrogen	Growing focus on clean energy; hiring international experts in future fuels.
MODEC Korea (subsidiary)	FPSO Engineering & Offshore Projects	Actively hires foreign professionals for design, offshore systems, and fabrication.
McDermott Korea (subsidiary)	EPC, Offshore, LNG	Seeks international engineers and project personnel for offshore module works.
Technip Energies Korea	LNG, Refinery, Hydrogen Projects	Hires globally, including for Korean mega-projects like LNG terminals.