Careers in oil and gas

Looking to start or make a career change? The broad range of career choices in
the oil and gas industry might surprise you – and job opportunities are growing
now. As the industry evolves, so does the need for a variety of skills and
experience to shape the future of the energy sector and it includes more than oil
and gas. Refer to the list below or visit Careers in Energy to plan your future in the energy sector and explore career options in oil and gas, cleantech, digitization and
automation in energy, industrial construction and maintenance, liquefied natural
gas (LNG), renewables and petrochemicals. The energy industry is dynamic and in
need of workers like you. Take the next step and find your fit at Careers in Energy.

  • Engineering

    Every engineering designation could potentially work in the oil and gas industry. Engineers work in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of all systems involved in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors:

     

    • Chemical process engineer
    • Civil engineer
    • Electrical engineer
    • Geological engineer
    • Mechanical engineer
    • Petroleum engineer
    • Pipeline engineer

  • Environment, regulatory, and stakeholder engagement

    These are the people who plan, monitor, and reclaim the environment around well sites, as well as engage with communities impacted by oil and gas activity.

     

    • Communications coordinator
    • Environmental manager
    • Environmental scientist
    • Joint venture representative
    • Inspector
    • Reclamation specialist

  • Geoscience

    This group is vital in oil and gas development, as they do the geological and geophysical analysis which locates oil and gas deposits:

     

    • Geophysicist
    • Petroleum geochemist
    • Petroleum geologist
    • Wellsite geologist

  • Information technology

    As in all areas of life and business these days, technology has become a necessary part the oil and gas industry:

     

    • Computer engineer
    • Network administrator
    • Data scientist

  • Labour

    Although these jobs may sound menial and are often where people start in the industry, they are anything but and require a skillset beyond simple labour:

     

    • Drilling and service rig labourer
    • Drilling and service rig operator
    • Field operator
    • Swamper
    • Pipeline transportation

  • Operations

    Operations involve highly specialized training in systems and controls for plants, heavy duty equipment, well sites, and rigs:

     

    • Bulk plant operator
    • Completions superintendent
    • Heavy equipment operator
    • Power engineer
    • Snubbing operator
    • Well testing operator
    • Wireline operator

  • Safety

    Almost nothing can be done on a wellsite or at a plant without safety personnel on site. They monitor air quality, entry into confined spaces, and provide medical assistance:

     

    • H2S supervisor
    • Confined space rescue
    • High angle rescue
    • Safety watch
    • Occupational first aid attendant

  • Technology

    Technicians and technologists help engineers with planning, designing, and building, as well as do the actual installation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of equipment. Technologists design the equipment and determine where and how it’s used:

     

    • Chemical technician and technologist
    • Industrial technician
    • Instrumentation engineering technologist
    • Laboratory technician
    • Petroleum engineering technologist
    • Valve technician

  • Trades

    There are multiple tradespersons needed in the oil and gas industry to keep things running:

     

    • Boilermaker
    • Carpenter
    • Crane operator
    • Heavy duty equipment mechanic
    • Industrial electrician
    • Machinist
    • Millwright
    • Steamfitter and Pipefitter
    • Welder
X