Career Opportunities
There are so many career opportunities in the petroleum industry. Here is a sample of career paths, and the skills you'll need to be successful:
Labourers
Many of these challenging jobs don't require academic credentials higher than a high-school diploma. People may be employed by drilling, oilfield servicing and some pipeline companies.
Operators
Operator jobs, such as seismic, drilling rig and heavy equipment operators, typically involve operating control systems and equipment related to the facilities, heavy equipment, rigs, wells and pipelines.
Trades (Apprenticeable)
Tradespeople, like crane operators, industrial electricians, machinists and welders, are typically involved in the industry's day to day functions, or work in maintenance roles where they do the work necessary to keep facilities and equipment in good repair and reliable working order.
Technicians (Certified)
This family of jobs includes a wide range of opportunities. Work involves the installation, operation, servicing, monitoring, troubleshooting and fixing of equipment used in the upstream petroleum industry.
Technologists (certified)
Technologists usually provide technical support to professional engineers. Technological work is highly specialized - designing devices and equipment, deciding what equipment to use on a project, determining how to use it and supervising its installation and use.
Geosciences Professionals
Geologists and geophysicists use chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics to locate and analyze mineral, geothermal and petroleum deposits. They also measure the forces impacting the earth and study, analyze and interpret data relating to seismic forces.
Engineers
Engineers work in all parts of the industry, including exploration, extraction, production and transportation and are employed in all of Canada's oil and gas producing regions.
Marine and Nautical Services
Employees may work on floating drilling and production facilities, supply and standby vessels, seismic and chase vessels, petroleum product carriers/tankers and tugs.
Specialty Business Services
This group supports the petroleum industry's main business. Areas of support include air transportation, health and safety, surface/mineral rights acquisition, regulatory affairs and stakeholder relations.
