Projects often run into the multimillions or multibillions of dollars, so your attention to detail and economics focus serve a key role. Your job is to provide cost estimates and ensure there are cost controls for facility construction, production and services. In short, you make sure the company you work for is either getting the best financial return for its service or product, or getting the biggest bang for the buck.
Cost engineers provide cost estimates and ensure there are cost controls in place for energy facility construction, production and services. They also aid management in bidding or determining the price of a product or service and provide on-going analysis to ensure costs and schedules are on target.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $70,000 to $120,000
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Limited
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Participating in the development of project execution plans
- Working with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes or adjustments to cost estimates
- Preparing estimates used by management for planning, organizing and scheduling work
- Preparing estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Performing quality assurance on the contractor’s cost management system
- Consulting with clients, vendors and personnel in other departments to resolve issues
- Establishing and maintaining the tendering process, and conducting negotiations
- Resolving issues related to project cost control procedures
Education
- A post-secondary degree in engineering from an accredited institution and knowledge from within the electrical, mechanical or civil engineering field is required. Other credentials may be acceptable, such as a post-secondary degree in science, technology, mathematics or construction management. This role typically requires extensive experience and exposure to a variety of large capital projects.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
- Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP)
- Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Your organizational skills are critical. You can explain complex financial matters in ways that are easily understood by others. This helps you in negotiations and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking
- Managing financial resources
- Administration and management
- Judgement and decision making
- Attention to detail
- Economics and accounting
- Complex problem solving
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Negotiating with others
- Sub-sector Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Engineering design and procurement, Construction, Start-up and commissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Limited
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as a cost engineer in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the engineering, design and procurement, the contracted and turnaround maintenance and construction project life cycle phases in industrial construction and maintenance in energy. Workers may find the work environment differs when working for a customer-focused service provider or vendor rather than an operating company.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Participating in the development of project execution plans
- Working with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes or adjustments to cost estimates
- Preparing estimates used by management for planning, organizing and scheduling work
- Preparing estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Performing quality assurance on the contractor’s cost management system
- Consulting with clients, vendors and personnel in other departments to resolve issues
- Establishing and maintaining the tendering process, and conducting negotiations
- Resolving issues related to project cost control procedures
Education
- A post-secondary degree in engineering from an accredited institution and knowledge from within the electrical, mechanical or civil engineering field is required. Other credentials may be acceptable, such as a post-secondary degree in science, technology, mathematics or construction management. This role typically requires extensive experience and exposure to a variety of large capital projects.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
- Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP)
- Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction)
- Travel required (contracted and turnaround maintenance |construction)
- Work away from home/in camps (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | construction)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | construction)
- Safety-sensitive environment (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement | construction)
- Transition to a similar level (contracted and turnaround maintenance | engineering, design and procurement)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Your organizational skills are critical. You can explain complex financial matters in ways that are easily understood by others. This helps you in negotiations and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking
- Managing financial resources
- Administration and management
- Judgement and decision making
- Attention to detail
- Economics and accounting
- Complex problem solving
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Negotiating with others
The industrial construction and maintenance in energy sector is further divided into project life cycle phases:
Contracted and turnaround maintenance
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
Engineering, design and procurement
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
Construction
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: Minor
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into industrial construction and maintenance in energy may vary by project life cycle phase. Workers should expect there could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Limited
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained a cost engineer in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to LNG facility operation.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in LNG facility operation may include:
- Monitoring work for compliance to applicable codes, accepted engineering practices and related regulations.
- Processing hazard analysis including what-if, fault tree, HAZOP, checklist and other forms of risk assessment.
- Overseeing fabrication, verification of proper installation, perform function checks and commission equipment.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Participating in the development of project execution plans
- Working with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes or adjustments to cost estimates
- Preparing estimates used by management for planning, organizing and scheduling work
- Preparing estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Performing quality assurance on the contractor’s cost management system
- Consulting with clients, vendors and personnel in other departments to resolve issues
- Establishing and maintaining the tendering process, and conducting negotiations
- Resolving issues related to project cost control procedures
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in LNG facility operation may include:
- Previous experience with mechanical and/or electrical designs and installations.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in engineering from an accredited institution and knowledge from within the electrical, mechanical or civil engineering field is required. Other credentials may be acceptable, such as a post-secondary degree in science, technology, mathematics or construction management. This role typically requires extensive experience and exposure to a variety of large capital projects.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
- Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP)
- Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a lower level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Your organizational skills are critical. You can explain complex financial matters in ways that are easily understood by others. This helps you in negotiations and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking
- Managing financial resources
- Administration and management
- Judgement and decision making
- Attention to detail
- Economics and accounting
- Complex problem solving
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Negotiating with others
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Limited
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A cost engineer considering a career change from oil and natural gas to renewables may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a successful transition. The expected average salary range in geothermal is similar to the average salary range in oil and natural gas, however, the average salary range in solar or wind may be lower than that of oil and natural gas. A worker transitioning to solar or wind may need to be familiar with utility standards and electrical codes and standards, as well as gain knowledge of solar and wind energy components, services required and supply chain specific to the sub-sectors.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in renewables may include:
- Ensuring the comprehensive supervision and coordination of all the steps of a construction project, namely collaboration with health and safety, planning, quality, cost, relation with client, and collaboration with subcontractors. (solar | wind)
- Overseeing the design, construction and testing of electrical components and/or electrical, electronic, controls (SCADA) and/or power systems. (solar | wind)
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Participating in the development of project execution plans
- Working with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes or adjustments to cost estimates
- Preparing estimates used by management for planning, organizing and scheduling work
- Preparing estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Performing quality assurance on the contractor’s cost management system
- Consulting with clients, vendors and personnel in other departments to resolve issues
- Establishing and maintaining the tendering process, and conducting negotiations
- Resolving issues related to project cost control procedures
Education
- A post-secondary degree in engineering from an accredited institution and knowledge from within the electrical, mechanical or civil engineering field is required. Other credentials may be acceptable, such as a post-secondary degree in science, technology, mathematics or construction management. This role typically requires extensive experience and exposure to a variety of large capital projects.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
- Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP)
- Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Temporary/project-to-project work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (geothermal)
- Safety-sensitive environment (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Transition to a lower level (solar | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Your organizational skills are critical. You can explain complex financial matters in ways that are easily understood by others. This helps you in negotiations and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking
- Managing financial resources
- Administration and management
- Judgement and decision making
- Attention to detail
- Economics and accounting
- Complex problem solving
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Negotiating with others
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Solar
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Wind
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
There could be differences in the expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Limited
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a cost engineer in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to petrochemicals and refining.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Monitoring work for compliance to applicable codes, accepted engineering practices and related regulations.
- Processing hazard analysis including what-if, fault tree, HAZOP, checklist and other forms of risk assessment.
- Overseeing fabrication, verification of proper installation, perform function checks and commission equipment.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Participating in the development of project execution plans
- Working with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes or adjustments to cost estimates
- Preparing estimates used by management for planning, organizing and scheduling work
- Preparing estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including:
- Performing quality assurance on the contractor’s cost management system
- Consulting with clients, vendors and personnel in other departments to resolve issues
- Establishing and maintaining the tendering process, and conducting negotiations
- Resolving issues related to project cost control procedures
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Previous experience with mechanical and/or electrical designs and installations.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in engineering from an accredited institution and knowledge from within the electrical, mechanical or civil engineering field is required. Other credentials may be acceptable, such as a post-secondary degree in science, technology, mathematics or construction management. This role typically requires extensive experience and exposure to a variety of large capital projects.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
- Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP)
- Certified Estimating Professional (CEP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)
Licensing
- To obtain a license as a professional engineer (P.Eng) you must obtain a degree from an accredited engineering program, pass a professional practice exam and have three or four years of engineering experience, of which one year must be gained in Canada. You must also have Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency in Canada.
- Once licensed, engineers receive a seal to stamp their designs and drawings.
- Unlicensed engineers must work under the supervision of a P. Eng.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a lower level
- Potentially unionized
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Your organizational skills are critical. You can explain complex financial matters in ways that are easily understood by others. This helps you in negotiations and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking
- Managing financial resources
- Administration and management
- Judgement and decision making
- Attention to detail
- Economics and accounting
- Complex problem solving
- Engineering and technology
- Law and government
- Negotiating with others
