bp is a global company that offers a world of opportunities for professionals as well as those starting out in their career. We’re guided by our purpose and ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner, and help the world get there too.
What does this mean for you? It means you can expect purposeful work, world-class training and the flexibility to realize your full potential. Not to mention the chance to join a company committed to delivering more sustainable energy for all. Ready to crack on? Your perfect job match awaits.
Your Early Careers Program
Production & Operations is our largest entity and is transforming our hydrocarbon business to be at the heart of bp’s net zero future. Early careers who join the Production & Operations early careers programme will follow one of four tracks: HSE&C, wells, subsurface, or project controls / construction management. Early careers will follow a structured development offer to accelerate the acquisition of foundational technical skills, experience and knowledge; and application in the business world. The programme supports transition from university to discipline professional and provides a framework of ‘non-technical’ skills to support building personal effectiveness skills.
Early Careers Experience at bp
Our graduate programs are ~3 years. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to complete 2 or 3 rotations designed to give you breadth of experience across your chosen business area whilst also supporting you to build technical depth. These rotations will be complemented by a technical development pathway for your discipline, which outlines the technical competencies you are working towards. Alongside this you’ll also complete our Ignite training modules which will support you to build your interpersonal skills.
Throughout the program you’ll have a dedicated support network to provide guidance on the program and advice on career development. You’ll also be a key part of the bp early careers community, with events, socials and the opportunity to network with other early careers from across bp.
Role and responsibilities
As a Wells Graduate Engineer, you’ll begin your career by embarking on our world-class graduate programme. This programme is designed to help you become familiar with a wide range of bp activities and learn the basic skills of a Wells Engineer. You’ll be expected to spend your first year working offshore as a Well Site Engineer, which is a key member of our operational rig teams. This role will support your teams’ objectives and build your understanding how Wells are constructed.
You’ll then join one of our onshore teams where you’ll specialise in either Drilling, Completions, Interventions, Integrity, or Subsea disciplines. With support from your team and mentors, you will develop the engineering knowledge you need to design, build, operate and maintain the Wells of the future.
You will receive comprehensive on the job learning under the guidance of a Senior Engineer, but it is expected that you will also build your own knowledge through experience. You will deliver projects which support your teams’ objectives and gain opportunities to stretch your knowledge by supporting other disciplines.
As a Well Engineer, you have the opportunity work in a multidisciplinary team to deliver the project objectives. You will be working alongside Subsurface, Operations, Supply Chain and Finance amongst others. As a Wells Engineer, you are part of the team who deliver safe and resilient hydrocarbons as part of BPs wider strategy.
Roles and responsibilities
Your part in this could be any of the following:
- Assessing future exploration and development prospects for cost and technical feasibility.
- Designing new wells, coordinating a rig team and a wide range of contractors to build them.
- Recommending how to re-use or repair existing wells to extend their useful production life.
- Specifying and ordering the materials and services needed for well construction and maintenance.
- Analysing performance and recommending changes to improve economic returns.
- Seeking out and applying new techniques or technologies to solve technical well problems.
- Evaluating the integrity of existing wells, maintaining, or repairing them to ensure they remain safe.
- Decommissioning wells which have reached the end of their life.
- Communicating with our external operating partners and government agencies.
Displaying bp’s core beliefs, you’ll become part of an organisation committed to a diverse, energetic, and inclusive culture that thrives on open, transparent, and constructive feedback.
You’ll have a good understanding of scientific principles from your studies. In addition to your technical ability, you need to be dedicated, enthusiastic, committed individuals with great organisational skills. From the beginning you’ll be expected to act as a leader, prepared to speak up, and demonstrate a deep commitment tomaintaining safety.
Requirements
To apply for this role, you will need to be in your final year of study and be on track for a 2:1, or have completed your degree with a 2:1
You are also expected to have strong spoken and written English language skills, including business and technical English. Language skills will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.
Location(s)
This role is likely to be based out of one the following UK offices:
Bp Sunbury - ICBT (International Centre for Business & Technology), Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7LN
Bp Aberdeen – NSHQ (North Sea Headquarters), 1 Wellheads Avenue, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 7PB, UK
Please note: Location will depend on business needs and can change for each rotation on your Early Careers development program, as you move between roles. If you are required to relocate during the program, depending on distance, you may be offered relocation assistance.
Start date
8th September 2025
Other Information
Please note the following when applying:
- You can only apply to one bp early careers opportunity globally per academic year – within this time, we will only process the first application you make. You will be withdrawn from any subsequent applications.
- Exploration Days are a key part of the assessment process and will be in person – bp will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs, in line with the travel policy which will be shared with you. Please ensure you will be available to attend in person.
- Unless you apply to a role with a location explicitly stated, role locations are not guaranteed – where not stated, you will be placed in a location based on business need.
- Accommodation – once confirmed, where you need or decide to move closer to your location, you are responsible for organising and funding this accommodation.
Adjustments
We are keen to make our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any adjustments, to any stage of the recruitment process, please mention this in the allocated section on your initial application form. Someone will then be in touch to discuss or confirm the adjustments as appropriate for you. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss adjustments before applying, please get in touch:
T: +44 1635 584149
E: enquiry@bpgraduates.co.uk
Reward
- Starting Salary: £39,100
- Sign on Bonus: £3,000 (One off payment, subject to tax and national insurance)
- Wellbeing Allowance: Claim up to £1,500 each calendar year (subject to tax and national insurance) for products and services that contribute to physical, mental, financial and social wellbeing
- Flexible Benefits: In addition to your base salary, you’ll receive a flexible allowance (currently 20% of your base salary) that you can take as cash or use to buy a range of extra benefits, such as a pension, critical illness, dental care, personal accident and travel insurance, and our cycle to work scheme.
- Private Medical Insurance: We’ll pay for private healthcare, and you only pay an income tax charge.
- BP Share Plans: You can choose to take part in our share plan and buy bp shares every month.