- Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement
- Surface Land Professional
- NOC #1225
Surface Land Professional
Accessing the land…It’s one small step in building a well or pipeline, and one giant leap for making oil and natural gas happen. Enter the surface land professional. You are the first point of contact with a land owner. You work with farmers, property owners and other parties to create agreements that allow your company to explore, drill or build in a particular area. Do you like meeting new people? Are you a negotiator? If so, consider becoming a surface land professional.
Surface land professionals participate in the planning of drilling, pipeline and facility projects, and perform a critical role in negotiating the acquisition of the surface rights access required to carry out drilling and production activities. The Surface land professional provides valuable insights into surface, community, environmental and regulatory issues. They serve as an ambassador for the company and industry, and represent the company’s interests when interacting with landowners, regulators and industry partners. They are typically the first point of contact between land owners and operators. Direct experience in Indigenous consultation may be required.
Surface land professionals manage financial transactions and ensure field activity reporting and information sharing complies with laws and regulations. They often spend a lot of time in the field negotiating with key stakeholders. Senior level positions tend to work more in an office environment overseeing professionals working in the field. This role requires use of databases and various types of computer software.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Pipelines
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $52,000 to $81,000
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Growing
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
- Sub-sector Engineering, design and procurement
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading Minor
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Refocus
A surface land professional considering a career change from oil and natural gas to the engineering, design and procurement project life cycle phase of industrial construction and maintenance in energy may expect to complete some minor upskilling for a successful transition.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in industrial construction and maintenance in energy may include:
- Establishing and maintaining Indigenous relationships and partnerships. (engineering, design and procurement)
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (engineering, design and procurement)
- Travel required (engineering, design and procurement)
- Primarily indoor/office work (engineering, design and procurement)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (engineering, design and procurement)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (engineering, design and procurement)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (engineering, design and procurement)
- Safety-sensitive environment (engineering, design and procurement)
- Transition to a similar level (engineering, design and procurement)
- Urban location (engineering, design and procurement)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
- Sub-sector Well site decommissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a surface land professional in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the well site decommissioning sub-sector of cleantech.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech inlcude:
- Primarily indoor/office work (well site decommissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (well site decommissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (well site decommissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (well site decommissioning)
- Urban location (well site decommissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a surface land professional in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to petrochemicals and refining.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Career Demand Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as a surface land professional in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the renewables sector. A worker considering a career change to the geothermal sub-sector of renewables may expect to earn an average salary range similar to the average salary range in oil and natural gas, however, in the solar or wind sub-sectors, the average salary range may be lower than that in oil and natural gas.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Primarily indoor/office work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (geothermal)
- Transition to a similar level (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Urban location (geothermal | solar wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Solar
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Wind
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
There could be differences in the expected salary range 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 Growing
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as a surface land professional in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to LNG facility operations.
When you start in this occupation activities may include:
- Setting up and maintaining agreements in the relevant databases and ensuring files and records are current, thorough and accurate
- Monitoring obligations/commitment dates/expiry dates of surface land agreements
- Serving as an ambassador for the company and industry, and representing the company’s interests with landowners, regulators and industry partners
As you advance in this career, you may take on additional tasks including
- Negotiating on behalf of the company with landowners to acquire oil and gas surface leases, pipeline right-of-ways, meter site agreements, and other related agreements
- Participating in the development, approval and maintenance of the Land Department’s policies, procedures and precedents and the review, comment and acceptance of industry drafted documents
Education
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma, and two- to three-years of relevant experience is typically required for this occupation. An internship is required to complete a Land Agent licence to become an accredited negotiator. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL) offers a voluntary program to recognize experience, proficiency and professionalism.
Certifications
- Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
Licensing
- Industry certification may be obtained for Certified Surface Landman (CSL) or PSL© (Professional Surface Landman) through the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL). Both designations have a number of requirements that must be satisfied including a combination of active membership in CAPL, qualifying experience, completion of mandatory courses, academic achievement and payment of fees. The P.Land© designation also requires the completion of a written examination.
- A valid driver’s licence may be required
- A Land Agent licence is required for all negotiator roles
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You are a skilled and determined researcher with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills. You are ethical. You are organized and pay attention to each detail. You work well with computerized data bases and research programs.
- Collaborative
- Attention to detail
- Customer and personal service
- Document use
- Law and government
- Administration and management
- Judgment and decision making
- Managing conflict
- Planning and organizing
- Negotiation
