Careers in the Oil & Gas Sector

1. Careers in the Oil & Gas Sector

2. Oil & Gas – It’s More Than Just Working The Rigs The Oil and Gas sector is a booming industry in southwest Saskatchewan. Most people think of working directly on the rigs – hard work, big $$$ However, there are many more types of jobs involved in the industry than you may think

3. Helpers, Labourers and Semi-Skilled Workers

4. Types of Jobs in this Category • Drilling • Pipeline Transportation • Seismic • Well Services

5. Education and Training • High school diploma preferred • On-the-job training • Valid driver’s license • Health and safety certifications • Providers of training: Regional Colleges, SIAST, Local safety trainers

6. Working Conditions • Often hazardous conditions • Labour intensive • Outdoor work – year round • Shift Work • Work in remote locations • Paid overtime is a regular requirement • Wage range –$40,000-$50,000

7. Career Path • These are entry level jobs • Advancement to operators and trades may be possible with further education and training beyond a grade 12 diploma

8. Operators

9. Types of Jobs in this CategoryOperators • Drilling Rig • Plant & Facility • Seismic • Field Production • Well Services • Control Centre • Heavy Equipment

10. Working Conditions • Strong safety requirements; must be drug and alcohol free • Shift work • Travel and remote locations • Some positions require office work, others are more outdoor and labour intensive • Paid overtime may be a requirement • Wage range – $40,000 to $80,000 depending on job and experience

11. Education and Training • High school diploma preferred; on-the-job training as well as technical and safety courses • Mechanical aptitude • Valid and clean driver’s license

12. Career Path • Largest job family in the petroleum industry • Post-secondary education in an engineering technology may be required to advance further • May work into supervisory positions with experience and on-the-job training

13. Technicians

14. Types of Jobs in this CategoryTechnicians • Chemical Technicians • ElectricalTechnicians • Oil & Gas Transportation Technicians • Geological, Seismic & Mineral Technicians • Warehouse Technicians • Well Testing Service Supervisors

15. Education and Training • From a few technical courses to two-year diploma • Must be certified, meeting standards set by a recognized Canadian technical association or sometimes by apprenticeship bodies

16. Working Conditions • Office or lab work for most positions but more hands-on work than technologists • May require work in remote locations and travel • Some positions require outdoor and/or hazardous work and/or shift work • Paid overtime may be required • Wage range- $40,000 to $65,000

17. Career Path • Can enter these positions at a training level with no previous experience • May advance to senior levels by gaining work experience and competencies

18. Technologists

19. Types of Jobs in this CategoryTechnologists • Chemical Engineering Technologists • Civil & Structural EngineeringTechnologists • Electrical Engineering Technologists • Engineering Design and Drafting Technologists • Geological, Geophysical and SeismicInstrumentationTechnologists • Mechanical Engineering Technologists • Petroleum Engineering Technologists • Power Engineering Technologists • Survey and Geomatics Technologists

20. Education and Training • Two to Three year diploma required • Must be certified – meet standards set by recognized Canadian technological associations • Power Engineering requires provincial certification

21. Working Conditions & Career Path • Mainly office work • Some travel or relocation may be required • Some outdoor work may be required • Some degree of labour may be required • Wage range – $40,000 to $65,000 • May enter at a training level • Advance based on gaining experience and work competence

22. Trades

23. Types of Jobs in this CategoryTrades • Crane Operators • Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics • Industrial Electricians • Industrial Instrument Mechanics • Insulators • Machinists • Millwrights • Rig Technicians • Steamfitters and Pipefitters • Welders

24. Welding

25. Heavy Duty Mechanic

26. Education and Training • High school diploma plus… • Most are Red Seal Trades – interprovincial certification • May enter as an apprentice without experience but must register as an apprentice and work with a journeyperson, some time in the field and some in formal classes (3-4 years is typical)

27. Working Conditions • Often travel, remote locations and relocation • Shift work • May work with hazardous materials • Paid overtime may be required • Outdoor work may be required • Wage Range- $40,000 to $55,000

28. Career Path • Can work for a company or as a private operator • Expecting shortages in many trades over the next few years

29. Specialty Business Services

30. Types of Jobs in this CategorySpeciality Business Services • Air Transportation • Environment • Health & Safety • Land Negotiation and Management • Petroleum Customer Relations • Quality Control and Inspectation • Stakeholder Relations • Regulatory Affairs

31. Education and Training • Various qualifications, experience and knowledge required – these are specialists in their area • Most require post-secondary education and industry knowledge

32. Working Conditions • Vary – some require travel and outdoor work but most are more office-oriented • Most have lower work hazards • Wage range- $40,000 to $55,000

33. Career Path • Require several years experience and industry knowledge • Not entry level jobs • Can advance to managerial levels within specialty

34. Geosciences Professionals

35. Types of Jobs in this CategoryGeosciences Professionals • Geochemists • Geologists • Geophysicists

36. Education and Training • Usually an undergraduate degree in geology, or sometimes math and physics; may require a professional designation and provincial licensing • Work experience and post-graduate work may be required

37. Working Conditions & Career Path • Mostly office work but some outdoor work • Relocation and remote locations are common • May require travel • Wage Range –$55,000-$70,000 • Enter at Junior Level and room to advance to management position

38. Engineers

39. Types of Jobs in this CategoryEngineers • Chemical- • Civil and Facilities • Computer • Cost Control • Electrical/Instrumentation/Process ControlEnvironmental • Geological • Geomatics • Materials & Metallurgical • Mechanical • Petroleum • Pipeline

40. Education and Training • Undergraduate degree and often a professional engineering designation (P. Eng.) • May require provincial licensing as well • Some positions require work experience and post-graduate training

41. Working Conditions • Mainly office work, although some positions have outdoor work components • Travel and relocation to remote locations may be required • Wage Range – $60,000 to $85,000

42. Career Path • Begin as junior engineer and can advance upward to management positions • Co-op education programs may start your career • Not entry level positions

43. Careers in demand in the next 10 years • Electrical Engineer • Instrumentation Engineer • Instrumentation Technition • Industrial Electricians • Industrial Millright • Stationary Engineer • Process Operator • Supervisor, Drilling and Service Sectors

44. Job Classes-Yearly Salaries

45. Women Working in Oil & Gas • For men only – In Saskatchewan women represent only 11% are employed in the oil and gas sector • However, new technologies have eased the physical demands and enrollment indicate there is a growth of participation by women