Laboratory technicians combine a love of chemistry with the energy industry. They are the ones behind the scenes who test drilling results in the field, examine water quality in SAGD processes, or work with chemicals within refinery processes in oil sands operations. They monitor and analyze chemical reactions and levels to understand, measure and remediate any issues.
Laboratory technicians work throughout the industry, setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses. They also develop and document new testing procedures as part of continuous improvement.
They often work in teams and are responsible for the quality control of chemical processes.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Oil and gas services, Oil sands, Pipelines, Exploration & production, Offshore
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
In this occupation, activities may include
- Maintaining, cleaning or sterilizing laboratory instruments or equipment
- Setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation and microscopy
- Conducting or assisting in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and developing and complying with standards
- Monitoring product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications
- Compiling records and interpreting experimental or analytical results
Education
- Laboratory technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- National certification for chemical technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
- Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You have a strong understanding on chemical composition and of chemical processes and transformations.
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Quality Control Analysis
- Systems Evaluation and Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
- Sub-sector Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
The skills gained as a laboratory technician working in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the emissions reduction and well site decommissioning sub-sectors of cleantech. Workers may find some minor upskilling is required to work in the same role in the CCUS sub-sector. Exposure to laboratory work at an industrial scale may be needed.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in the cleantech sector may include:
- Researching, improving and developing new theories, methods and processes to advance business priorities. (CCCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Performing a wide range of routine and non-routine laboratory analysis/wet chemistry on process samples including GC, AA, PSD, TSS, Turbidity and Titrations. (CCUS)
- Identifying, investigating and implementing areas for improved procedures and quality control or opportunities for automation. (CCUS | emissions reduction)
- Verifying and adjusting calibrations on a laboratory equipment including Gas Chromatograph, Flame AA, Particle Size Analyzer, Balances, Pipette verifications, Turbidity Meter. (CCUS)
- Preparing manual or computerized calculations worksheets, statistics and other data and material related to the process. (CCUS | emissions reduction)
- Utilizing software to convert, transform and integrate spatial and non-spatial data. (well site decommissioning)
In this occupation, activities may include
- Maintaining, cleaning or sterilizing laboratory instruments or equipment
- Setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation and microscopy
- Conducting or assisting in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and developing and complying with standards
- Monitoring product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications
- Compiling records and interpreting experimental or analytical results
Education
- Laboratory technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- National certification for chemical technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
- Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (well site decommissioning)
- Travel required (well site decommissioning)
- Work away from home/in camps (well site decommissioning)
- Primarily outdoor work (well site decommissioning)
- Primarily indoor/office work (CCUS | emissions reduction)
- Physical work (well site decommissioning)
- Less formal organizational structure (well site decommissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (well site decommissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (well site decommissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You have a strong understanding on chemical composition and of chemical processes and transformations.
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Quality Control Analysis
- Systems Evaluation and Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
The cleantech sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
CCUS
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
Emissions reduction
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
Well site decommissioning
- Transferability: Direct
- Skills upgrade: None
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into cleantech may vary by sub-sector. 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 diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A laboratory technician working in oil and natural gas may require some minor upskilling to work in an equivalent role in LNG facility operation. Familiarity with chemical processes associated related to LNG may be needed.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in LNG facility operation may include:
- Researching, improving and developing new theories, methods and processes to advance business priorities.
In this occupation, activities may include
- Maintaining, cleaning or sterilizing laboratory instruments or equipment
- Setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation and microscopy
- Conducting or assisting in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and developing and complying with standards
- Monitoring product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications
- Compiling records and interpreting experimental or analytical results
Education
- Laboratory technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- National certification for chemical technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
- Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Potential for relocation
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a lower level
- Career development fostered/supported
- Work not physically demanding
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You have a strong understanding on chemical composition and of chemical processes and transformations.
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Quality Control Analysis
- Systems Evaluation and Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Stable
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A laboratory technician working in oil and natural gas may require some minor upskilling to work in an equivalent role in petrochemicals and refining. Familiarity with chemical processes associated related to petrochemical manufacturing may be needed.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Researching, improving and developing new theories, methods and processes to advance business priorities.
In this occupation, activities may include
- Maintaining, cleaning or sterilizing laboratory instruments or equipment
- Setting up and conducting chemical experiments, tests and analyses using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical and chemical separation and microscopy
- Conducting or assisting in air and water quality testing and assessments, environmental monitoring and protection activities, and developing and complying with standards
- Monitoring product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications
- Compiling records and interpreting experimental or analytical results
Education
- Laboratory technicians usually require completion of a one- or two-year college program in chemical, biochemical or chemical engineering technology.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- National certification for chemical technicians is available through the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology.
- Certification in chemical engineering technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
- Chemical technologists and technicians are regulated in Quebec and Alberta.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Work not physically demanding
- Transition to a lower level
- Potentially unionized
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
You have a strong understanding on chemical composition and of chemical processes and transformations.
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Quality Control Analysis
- Systems Evaluation and Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
