Abstract: Big data technology, gradually becoming one of the most important methods for oil companies and oilfield service companies to realize petroleum engineering intelligence, cost reduction and efficiency improvement, has become a research hotspot at home and abroad. The paper introduces the definition and characteristics of big data technology to promote its rapid development and widespread application in the oil and gas industry and accelerate the digital and intelligent transformation of petroleum engineering. In this study, the current application of big data in petroleum engineering is analyzed from two aspects: big data platforms and specific application scenarios including drilling, fracturing and developing. Based on the analysis, it is proposed that an unified big data platform should be established with the cooperation of digital giants to modify the data management mechanism and technical standards. Besides, basic and prospective research should be strengthened, and research projects should be implemented for specific application scenarios, establishing an ecosystem of big data for petroleum engineering. The application of big data technology in petroleum engineering is promising, and it is of great significance to accelerate the investigation and application of big data in petroleum engineering for promoting the economic and efficient development of oil and gas .