Business & Operations Support

Business and Operations Support covers a wide range of occupations that support the various aspects of the petroleum industry's business. These activities include areas such as air transportation, energy asset management, environment, health and safety, surface and sub-surface rights acquisition, regulatory affairs and stakeholder relations.

Education

Employees in Business and Operations Support are considered "specialists." Most of these positions require post-secondary education and/or extensive expertise in both the industry and the particular subject area. Many of these careers also require specialized training.

Here are some of the common certifications associated with these occupations:

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified General Accountant (CGA)
• Professional Landman (P.Land) and Professional Surface Landman (PSL)
• Certified Petroleum Contracts Administrator, Mineral Administrator and Surface Administrator
• Commissioner for Oaths Appointment
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP)
• Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC)
• Construction Safety Officer
• Accredited Public Relations (APR)
• Accredited Business Communicator (ABC)
• Boiler and Pressure Vessel, Process Pipeline and Above-ground Storage Tank Inspector
• In-Service Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector and In-Service Pressure Vessel Inspector
• Non-destructive Testing
• Welding Inspector
• Petroleum Joint Venture Administration (PJVA) Certifications - Mount Royal University
• Well Asset Management
• Energy Asset Management diploma

Career Paths

Once working in the field, career paths tend to be vertical within the field.

At Work

Some positions are primarily based in an office, and most involve at least occasional travel to work sites. A promotion opportunity or change in area of assignment may require relocating to another geographic location.

Safety-sensitive positions have strict requirements related to being drug and alcohol free.

Quick Tips & Additional Resources

• Check out organizations that specialize in safety training.
• Research emergency management and public safety information.
• Review Health and Safety in the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry in Atlantic Canada.
• Read Canadian Occupational Safety and Occupational Health and Safety.
• Browse through regulatory agency websites.
• Network and attend meetings held by the Canadian Association of Professional Landmen (CAPL), Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Administrators (CAPLA) and the International Right of Way Association (IRWA).
• Download The Negotiator magazine.