- Energy careers
- Operators
- Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Specialist
Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Specialist
NOC #83101
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Average salary $54,000 to $101,000
Career profile
Measurement while drilling (MWD) specialists collect and interpret data that measures the trajectory of a horizontal oil or natural gas well as it is being drilled. They measure the incline, depth and direction of the drill to develop a three-dimensional plot of a wellbore. Information provided by MWD specialists provides decision-making support and allows directional drillers to steer the drilling operation and conform to a drilling plan.
MWD specialists lift the MWD tool, 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.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Loading MWD equipment on vehicles in accordance with applicable regulations
- Assembling MWD tools as part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA)
- Interpreting MWD data and providing to geologists, drillers, management or the client, as required
- Identifying, preventing and reporting potential hazards
- Conducting post-operations tests once equipment is pulled out of the wellbore
Education
- A post-secondary diploma in an applied science, engineering, geology, petroleum or related discipline is typically required. Computer literacy is also required.
Certifications
- Standard and emergency first aid
- H2S Alive
Licensing
- Class 5 driver’s licence 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 have an aptitude for technology and enjoy measuring data.
- Computer use
- Document use
- Critical thinking
- Numeracy
- Monitoring operations
- Installing equipment
- Attention to detail
- Controlling operations
- Active listening
- Troubleshooting
