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 CategoryOperators

Drilling RigPlant & FacilitySeismicField ProductionWell ServicesControl CentreHeavy 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 CategoryTechnicians

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 CategoryTechnologists

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 CategoryTrades

Crane Operators Heavy Duty Equipment Mec

hanics

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 CategorySpeciality 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 CategoryGeosciences 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 CategoryEngineers

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

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Starting SalaryRange

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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