Review/correct my SoP, I am applying for PhD in Petroleum Engineering

Statement of Purpose

My decision to quest for graduate study in the United States is underscored by my desire to be a part of the graduate program at your institution. The University of XXXXXX offers the flexibility needed for such a vast and rapidly changing field. The research facilities and the faculty at the university are par excellent.

Petroleum is an industry that has changed our lives, especially in the Middle East. In a very short period it has changed the way we have looked at things since centuries. It is one industry that is going to shape our future for decades to come. Hence my desire to do doctoral in Petroleum Engineering with Enhanced oil and gas recovery as my focal point.

My interest in the petroleum industry blossomed during my high school years. It was the time when oil prices had begun to start their dramatic growth that impacted the lives of people in Saudi Arabia. Hence engineering with petroleum as my major was the first choice for my undergraduate studies. Right since the beginning of my undergraduate study petroleum engineering is a subject that has fascinated me with its power on people's lives. The subjects that I have studied include reservoir, production, and drilling. These laid the foundation for my courses in Petroleum Engineering at a later stage. My undergraduate and master's studies already focus on the reservoir aspect of engineering. A doctoral degree in petroleum engineering with enhanced oil and gas recovery as a focus is the next logical step.

Starting from August 2012 till August 2014, I have been working as a reservoir engineer at XXXXXX. Since then, I am working at the XXXXXX Research Center that targets to "develop specialized technologies necessary to achieve the upstream objectives of increasing discovery of oil resources and increasing reservoir recovery from 50% to 70% in major producing fields". This short stint has given me invaluable practical experience. It has given me the confidence to pursue a higher degree and also kindled a desire to do research.

During the course of my work at XXXXXX, I have come across several engineers and scientists. Most of them work in different areas of petroleum industry. Interactions with them have made me realize the vastness and the scope of this industry. My discussions with them convinced me that specializing in enhanced oil and gas recovery would suit me very well.

In 2014, I decided to pursue my Master's degree at West Virginia University. During my studies, I continued to focus on reservoir engineering aspects, such as reservoir simulation. I am planning to graduate in May 2016.

The subject of research, which interests me very well, is enhancing oil and gas recovery. I strongly believe that this subject would impact the oil and gas production of XXXXXX. I am eager to find out more about the technologies and applications of enhancing recovery by reading technical papers about this subject.

Saudi Arabia is a developing country with an enormous potential in the petroleum business. To serve the needs of this developing industry and more important its vast population, enhancing oil and gas recovery is going to become of utmost importance. Thus working at the research center at XXXXX upon my return with my doctoral degree would be strongly helpful for the development of my country.

I would appreciate anyone reviewing/correcting my SoP for PhD in Petroleum Engineering.

Thanks

You have a very acceptable statement of purpose. It shows a sense of professional drive and maturity that is often lacking in other sop's. I would like to comment on the earlier content of your essay though. You don't really need to represent when your interest in petroleum engineering began (high school). Rather, you should be concentrating on portraying how you see yourself helping to further improve the field through the completion of your higher studies. This can be done in a number of ways but you actually mention something that leads up to this very idea in your statement.

In the latter part of your essay you mention that you are interested in learning about the ways that oil and gas recovery can be enhanced. Try to develop a research plan for yourself based upon this interest. While there are many literature existing regarding this topic, you should let the reviewer know that you have some pretty solid plans for research and development in this field. If you had done any preliminary or partial research regarding the topic, that would be the best point to mention it in the essay.

I am suggesting that you should develop such a paragraph in your essay because that is the only aspect of interest that is somewhat weak (in my opinion) in this SOP. You need to highlight the fact that the university you have chosen actually has a program or study grants, or internship programs that align not only with your interests, but also with your plans for future career development. Remember, an SOP is all about showing how you have grown professionally and thus, require further academic learning, training, or development in order to achieve the next phase of your career plan.

If you can integrate some of the ideas that I have presented here within your essay, I would be more than happy to help you further revise and edit your content to make it even better than it is now :-)

Thank you so much for your ideas. I will work on it and post it here for further correction.