Despite the flurry of activities and loud rumble of the cement pump and bulk truck, cementing operators are focused. As a cementing operator, your mastery is cementing well casings. You strive for cementing perfection. Your job is to ensure that the steel pipe or casing in a wellbore doesn’t move! You’re in the zone.
As a member of the oilfield services team, Cementing operators operate the equipment used to pump cement into an oil or gas well that secures the steel pipe or casing and provides structural integrity to the wellbore. The cement also prevents the transfer of liquids from the wellbore into groundwater.
Cement operators perform calculations to determine the amount of cement mix and additives required, using the depth, pressure, volume of cement required and specific purpose in their calculations.
They must be able to transport equipment to and from the well location, safely rig in and operate the equipment, perform day-to-day inspections, servicing and maintenance of equipment, and complete all required paperwork accurately and on time.
Transferability information for this occupation is available on the Oil and gas well services operators career.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Oil and gas services
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $53,000 to $67,000
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
In this occupation activities may include:
- Operating cement pumping and mixing equipment, such as blenders, liquid additive metering systems, centrifugal pumps and data acquisition systems
- Assisting during the rigging-up and rigging-down of cementing service equipment on work locations
- Troubleshooting cementing equipment and advising on its maintenance and repair as required
- Maintaining the bulk equipment and bulk plant
- Training operator assistants in the proper performance of pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and associated paperwork and/or reports
Education
- A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required. Basic mechanical skills and heavy hauling or off-road driving experience are assets to the job.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- H2S Alive
- Oilfield driver awareness
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
Licensing
- Class 1 licence (with air brake endorsement) and a clean driving record
Additional Requirements
- Ability to pass a pre-employment physical assessment and drug test
- Minimal or no travel
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work away from home/in camps
You are adaptable. You have strong leadership, mechanical and math skills. You use your active listening and communication skills to ensure a steady flow of information throughout the team, and a steady flow of cement into the wellbore.
- Attention to detail
- Selecting equipment
- Maintaining equipment
- Monitoring operations
- Critical thinking
- Installing equipment
- Controlling operations
- Mechanics
- Active listening
- Document use
