Careers in the Oil & Gas Sector

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

Helpers, Labourers and Semi- Skilled Workers

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

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

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

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

Operators

Types of Jobs in this Category Operators Drilling Rig Plant & Facility Seismic Field Production Well Services Control Centre Heavy Equipment

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

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

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

Technicians

Types of Jobs in this Category Technicians Chemical Technicians Electrical Technicians Oil & Gas Transportation Technicians Geological, Seismic & Mineral Technicians Warehouse Technicians Well Testing Service Supervisors

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

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

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

Technologists

Types of Jobs in this Category Technologists Chemical Engineering Technologists Civil & Structural Engineering Technologists Electrical Engineering Technologists Engineering Design and Drafting Technologists Geological, Geophysical and Seismic Instrumentation Technologists Mechanical Engineering Technologists Petroleum Engineering Technologists Power Engineering Technologists Survey and Geomatics Technologists

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

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

Trades

Types of Jobs in this Category Trades Crane Operators Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics Industrial Electricians Industrial Instrument Mechanics Insulators Machinists Millwrights Rig Technicians Steamfitters and Pipefitters Welders

Welding

Heavy Duty Mechanic

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)

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

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

Specialty Business Services

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

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

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

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

Geosciences Professionals

Types of Jobs in this Category Geosciences Professionals Geochemists Geologists Geophysicists

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

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

Engineers

Types of Jobs in this Category Engineers Chemical- Civil and Facilities Computer Cost Control Electrical/Instrumentation/Process Control Environmental Geological Geomatics Materials & Metallurgical Mechanical Petroleum Pipeline

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

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

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

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

Job Classes-Yearly Salaries

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