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 SemiSkilled Workers
Types of Jobs in this Category
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Drilling
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Pipeline Transportation
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Seismic
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Well Services
Education and Training
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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
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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
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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
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Working Conditions
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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
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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
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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
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Chemical Technicians
Electrical Technicians
Oil & Gas Transportation Technicians
Geological, Seismic & Mineral
Technicians
Warehouse Technicians
Well Testing Service
Supervisors
Education and Training
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Crane Operators
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
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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
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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
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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
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Air Transportation
Environment
Health & Safety
Land Negotiation and Management
Petroleum Customer Relations
Quality Control and Inspectation
Stakeholder Relations
Regulatory Affairs
Education and Training
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Various qualifications, experience and
knowledge required – these are specialists in
their area
Most require post-secondary education and
industry knowledge
Working Conditions
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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
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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
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Geochemists
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Geologists
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Geophysicists
Education and Training
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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
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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
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ChemicalCivil and Facilities
Computer
Cost Control
Electrical/Instrumentation/Process Control Environmental
Geological
Geomatics
Materials & Metallurgical
Mechanical
Petroleum
Pipeline
Education and Training
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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
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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
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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
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Electrical Engineer
Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation Technition
Industrial Electricians
Industrial Millright
Stationary Engineer
Process Operator
Supervisor, Drilling and Service Sectors
Job Classes-Yearly Salaries
Starting Salary
Range
Upper End
Salary
Engineers
Geosciences
Specialty Business
Services
Trades
Technologists
Technicians
Operators
Helpers/SemiSkilled
90000
80000
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Women Working in Oil & Gas
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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