<p>Upstream tends to make more. For ChemEs, no problem getting into both. For example, the staple job for a ChemE is in refining, which is downstream. However, in upstream you also need process engineers (ChemEs) for free water knockouts, pipeline, dehydrators, etc. etc. </p>
<p>In upstream, ChemEs are more suitable to a production engineering job as opposed to reservoir or drilling, but that is a very, very general statement (lots of exceptions, ifs and buts). Yes, it is possible to do PetE if you’re a ChemE, although I agree that if you want to work as a PetE then it’s more logical to get a PetE degree. </p>
<p>Quite frankly, there’s too many engineering jobs required in the petroleum industry, you’ll be okay as long as you actually try to get in the industry.</p>