1. Energy careers
  2. Technicians and Technologists
  3. Petroleum Engineering Technologist

Petroleum Engineering Technologist

NOC #21101

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary diploma

Career profile

Petroleum engineering technologists support petroleum engineers in designing, implementing, and monitoring drilling operations. They play a key role in analyzing geological data, conducting reservoir simulations, and ensuring the efficiency and safety of drilling processes.

They assist in the maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment used in extraction and refining, employing their understanding of mechanical systems, instrumentation, and control mechanisms. They often collaborate closely with engineers and other technical teams to optimize production methods, minimize environmental impact, and adhere to regulatory standards.

Oil and gas services, Oil sands, Pipelines, Exploration & production, Offshore, CCUS, Geothermal

In this occupation, activities may include:

  • Operating electronic or computerized control panels from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units

Education

  • Petroleum Engineering Technologists require completion of a two- to three-year post-secondary program in such as geological technology, petroleum technology, petroleum engineering technology.

Certifications

  • Certification in geological and mineral technology or in a related field is available through provincial associations of engineering/applied science technologists and technicians and may be required by employers.
  • A period of supervised work experience, usually two years, is required before certification.
  • Certification by The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta is available in Alberta.

Licensing

  • Membership in the regulatory body for professional technologists is required to use the title “Professional Technologist.”

Additional Requirements

  • Health and Safety requirements vary by role, and by company but may include:
  • Standard and emergency first aid
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

  • Travel likely required
  • Shiftwork/variable work hours
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding
  • Work away from home/in camps
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Application of Engineering Design and Technology
  • Security of People and Property
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Production and Processing
  • Understanding Risk
  • Data Entry
  • Interpreting Documents/Plans
  • Mechanical Operation
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation and Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Troubleshooting