The energy industry is complex, highly automated and technical, and so are the facilities. Panel operators monitor gauges and control a myriad of pipes, tanks, pumps and other machines that process oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids in control rooms at a variety of facilities.
I'm interested in a career in
Oil and gas
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil sands, Oil and gas services, Pipelines
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
In this occupation activities may include:
- Operating electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
- Operating control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Adjusting equipment performance to match operating requirement (centrifuges for low gravity solids removal or barite recovery), optimize screen selection on shale shakers or mud cleaners etc.
- Ensuring equipment is in good condition and operating properly
- Reading automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Monitoring process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Operating compressors, pumps, and separators
- Conducting general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
Education
- A High School Diploma is required with some companies requiring a College Diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject
Certifications
Depending on the employer the following certifications may be required:
- First Aid
- Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness (H2S Alive®)
- Blowout Prevention
- Firefighting
- Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Lower risk environment
- Computers and electronics
- Production and processing
- Understanding risk
- Works safely
- Interpreting documents/plans
- Mechanical operation
- Equipment maintenance
- Operation and control
- Operation monitoring
- Instructing
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education High school diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a panel operator in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the petrochemicals and refining sector.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Operating electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
- Operating control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direct product flow rate, according to process schedules.
- Adjusting equipment performance to match operating requirement (centrifuges for low gravity solids removal or barite recovery), optimize screen selection on shale shakers or mud cleaners etc.
- Ensuring equipment is in good condition and operating properly
- Reading automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount of oil in tanks.
- Monitoring process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
- Operating compressors, pumps, and separators
- Conducting general housekeeping of units, including wiping up oil spills and performing general cleaning duties.
Education
- A High School Diploma is required with some companies requiring a College Diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject
Certifications
Depending on the employer the following certifications may be required:
- First Aid
- Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness (H2S Alive®)
- Blowout Prevention
- Firefighting
- Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)
Licensing
- A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
Additional Requirements
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Potential for relocation
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Lower risk environment
- Computers and electronics
- Production and processing
- Understanding risk
- Works safely
- Interpreting documents/plans
- Mechanical operation
- Equipment maintenance
- Operation and control
- Operation monitoring
- Instructing
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to detail
