The energy industry relies heavily on automated machines and processes but still require people to operate, monitor, maintain the equipment and facilities where these processes take place. Process operators are generally skilled workers who perform a variety of hands-on tasks essential to the safe and efficient operations of various facilities.
Depending on the employer, process operators may be responsible for a wide variety of tasks from manual labour to complex machine operations in smaller organizations or being responsible for managing a single specific process in larger organizations.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil sands, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Offshore
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Education Post-secondary diploma
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Participating in procedure and operating standard reviews and updates
- Participating in safety audits and safety programs and maintain a safe work environment
- Operating production and processing equipment from a central control room
- Identifying hazards, maintenance issues, and unplanned events and communicating these effectively to supervisors
- Recording readings manually or on a computer
- Collecting samples from production streams for analysis
- Moving equipment and tools between locations as directed and required
- Operating, monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining process equipment to ensure production
- Performing routine field level equipment inspections to verify and monitor operation
- Performing routine maintenance on field equipment as required or directed by supervisors
Education
- Completion of high school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified.
- A technical diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions.
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, steam operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
Additional Requirements
- Valid Driver’s License
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 tolerant culture
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Understanding Risk
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Mechanical Operation
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operation and Control
- Operation Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
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Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a process operator in oil and natural gas are transferable to the petrochemicals and refining sector but workers may require additional knowledge on the processes involved.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Participating in procedure and operating standard reviews and updates
- Participating in safety audits and safety programs and maintain a safe work environment
- Operating production and processing equipment from a central control room
- Identifying hazards, maintenance issues, and unplanned events and communicating these effectively to supervisors
- Recording readings manually or on a computer
- Collecting samples from production streams for analysis
- Moving equipment and tools between locations as directed and required
- Operating, monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining process equipment to ensure production
- Performing routine field level equipment inspections to verify and monitor operation
- Performing routine maintenance on field equipment as required or directed by supervisors
Education
- Completion of high school is required. Mathematics, chemistry and physics subjects are often specified.
- A technical diploma in process operation, sciences or a related subject may be required for some positions.
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, steam operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain kinds of equipment are included in the process.
Additional Requirements
- Valid Driver’s License
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily outdoor work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Rural location
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 tolerant culture
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
- Understanding Risk
- Works Safely
- Interpreting Documents/Plans
- Mechanical Operation
- Equipment Maintenance
- Operation and Control
- Operation Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Troubleshooting
- Attention to Detail
