Occupation Profile: Offshore Oil And Gas Engineers. Under the Job Family: Engineers

Transcription

1 Under the Job Family: Engineers

2 Under the Job Family: Engineers Table of Contents Introduction...4! National Occupational Classification (NOC)...4! Examples of Benchmark Job Titles...4! Industry Context...4! Main Responsibilities...9! Consulting and Project Engineer...9! Drilling and Completions Engineer...10! Intervention Tooling Engineer...10! Marine Corrosion Engineer...11! Marine Riser Engineer...11! Offshore Commissioning Engineer...12! Offshore Process Engineer...12! Subsea Controls Engineer...12! Subsea Equipment Engineer...13! Subsea Flow Assurance Engineer...13! Subsea Installation Engineer...14! Subsea Structural Engineer...14! Subsea Systems Engineer...14! Umbilical Engineer...15! Minimum Qualifications for Entry...15! Education and Experience...15! Licensing...16! Certifications...17! Characteristics and Nature of this Occupation...17! Regional Considerations...18! Other Work-Related Conditions...18! Key Competencies and Related Training and Development...19! Competencies...19! Training and Development...20! Work Opportunities and Typical Career Path...20! Career Advancement and Occupational Options...20! November 2009 Page 2 of 29

3 Employment Outlook...23! Workplaces and Employers in the Petroleum Industry...25! Compensation: Wages, Salaries and Other Typical Remuneration...25! Extra Information...25! Related Web Links...25! Something to Think About and Helpful Tips...28! Copyright Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada 2009.The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. November 2009 Page 3 of 29

4 Introduction National Occupational Classification (NOC) #2148: Other Professional Engineers. Examples of Benchmark Job Titles Consulting Project Manager; Drilling and Completions Engineer; Intervention Tooling Engineer; Marine Riser Engineer; Offshore Commissioning Engineer; Job titles vary in the industry, with the most common ones being: Offshore Process Engineer; Project Engineer and Manager Subsea Structures; Subsea Control Engineer; Subsea Equipment Engineer; Subsea Flow Assurance Engineer; Subsea Installation Engineer; Subsea Structural Engineer; Subsea Systems Engineer; and Umbilical Engineer. Industry Context The jobs covered under this profile should not be confused with a Marine Engineer, a role with responsibilities for the operation of an engineering room on marine vessels. Information on those jobs can be found on the federal National Occupational Classification database by searching for Engineering Officers or for NOC Code 2274 at The Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers profile will introduce what is involved in the stages of offshore exploration, production and transportation, and the roles professional engineers play. November 2009 Page 4 of 29

5 Oil and gas operations involve work above the level of the ocean, in the water and beneath the surface of the ocean. There are plenty of similarities between offshore and onshore operations, e.g. seismic exploration, drilling, well servicing, production and transportation. Platforms are multi-use surface structures that can contain drilling rigs, production facilities and storage and crew quarters. Four types of offshore platforms generally used in Canadian offshore oil and gas production are: Shallow Depth Drilling Platforms that are placed on standard piles planted on the ocean floor and are usually used in depths of up to approximately 25 meters. Jackup Platforms that can be raised or lowered similar to jacking a car up and down. They are typically used in depths of up to 100 meters. Semi-submersible Platforms (see Figure 1) that are supported by columns sitting on hulls or pontoons which are ballasted below the water surface, and provide excellent stability in rough, deep seas. These mobile platforms use propellers and thrusters controlled by computers when positioning or repositioning themselves as required, and can be used in depths ranging from 180 to 10,600 meters. Figure 1: BP s Thunder Horse platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Source: BP. Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels (FPSO) are specialized floating vessels that contain oil production, storage and offloading facilities in its operations. Figure 2 is an illustration of the White Rose offshore oil production project. Figure 2: White Rose floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO). Source: Suncor Energy Inc. November 2009 Page 5 of 29

6 Drillships are maritime vessels that have been fitted with drilling equipment. Canadian projects such as Hibernia, Sable, Terra Nova, White Rose and Cohasset-Panuke use selective combinations or variations of these platforms. Here are some examples: The Hibernia Project platform is supported by a massive concrete structure called a Gravity Based Structure (GBS) which sits on the bottom of the ocean to stabilize and anchor the entire structure (see Figure 3). Located off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, the project uses this structure because of the storms and icebergs in the area, and because it has a lengthy production life which warrants such a stationary and rather expensive structure. Figure 3: Hibernia project. Source: Suncor Energy Inc. The Terra Nova Development Project (see Figure 4) is located off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and uses a FPSO vessel as a production platform when producing crude oil from the fields below. It contains oil storage tanks and is used to take offloaded oil to shuttle tankers which take it to onshore facilities. The facility can detach from its wellheads if threatened by icebergs. Figure 4: Terra Nova Development Project. Source: Suncor Energy Inc. The Sable Offshore Energy Project (see Figure 5) is located off the shores of Nova Scotia in a relatively shallow depth of 30 to 40 meters. It is made up of natural gas drilling and production platforms supported by steel piles. It also uses Jackup platforms for drilling purposes. Below the surface of the water is an amazing network of facilities, pipelines, wells, lifters, risers, flowlines, etc. Figure 5: Aerial view of ExxonMobil Sable Project Thebaud compression and deck production platform. Source: ExxonMobil and Prisma Productions. November 2009 Page 6 of 29

7 Figures 6 and 7 depict the operations of two major eastern offshore projects. The Terra Nova Development Project Figure 6 shows a multidimensional illustration of the Terra Nova Project. In addition to the drilling rig, the project is made up of a FPSO vessel, a semisubmersible drilling rig, shuttle tankers to transport the oil to shore and various support vessels. Also shown below the surface of the water is a subsea wellhead where oil is extracted from the reservoir below the surface of the ocean and pumped to the FPSO vessel through flexible flow-lines. Figure 6: Terra Nova Development Project. Source: Canadian Centre for Energy Information. November 2009 Page 7 of 29

8 Hibernia Project Figure 7 is a multidimensional illustration of the Hibernia Project. On the surface, one can see a complex platform containing drilling derricks, cranes, booms, process modules, crew quarters, etc. Supporting the platform below the surface is a GBS containing drilling and utility shafts and storage cells all protected by a massive concrete ice wall. A network of wells extends from the platform s base some as far as several kilometers. Subsea pipelines carry the oil to the production facilities located on the platform where contaminants are removed and readied for shipment to onshore terminals. Figure 7: The Hibernia Project. Source: Canadian Centre for Energy Information. Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers play critical roles in all aspects of operations as depicted by these two illustrations. Their skills are used in designing and constructing platform and subsea structures, drilling operations, wellhead operations, subsea pipelines, production and transportation. For more information, see Producing Oil and Gas Offshore in Atlantic Canada at November 2009 Page 8 of 29

9 Main Responsibilities The scope in which Oil and Gas Offshore Engineers contribute to the many facets of offshore oil and gas operations can range from a multifunctional generalist approach to a very specialized application of skills. The allocation of responsibilities and accountabilities will depend on the employer, the complexity and volume of work, and the qualifications and experience of the engineer. The main responsibilities are grouped by: Consulting and Project Engineer; Drilling and Completions Engineer; Intervention Tooling Engineer; Marine Corrosion Engineer; Marine Riser Engineer; Offshore Commissioning Engineer; Offshore Processing Engineer; Subsea Controls Engineer; Subsea Equipment Engineer; Subsea Flow Assurance Engineer; Subsea Installation Engineer; Subsea Structural Engineer; Subsea Systems Engineer; and Umbilical Engineer. Consulting and Project Engineer These engineers typically work for consulting or contracting firms. They can range from engineers who provide expertise in all facets of offshore engineering to those who might specialize in certain functions. Responsibilities may include: Corrosion prevention or integrity; Pre-commissioning structural design work; Projects associated with planning, designing and commissioning of all structural facilities; November 2009 Page 9 of 29

10 Intervention engineering on specialized subsea equipment; Sophisticated control systems; Production-related engineering; and Project management services. Drilling and Completions Engineer The drilling process occurs on stationary or floating platforms and is not unlike the process used on land. Completion is a process of equipping an undersea well so that it can produce oil or gas. Responsibilities may include: Providing shore professional design and operational support to the offshore drilling and completion operations; Developing well specific drilling and work-over programs; Compiling regulatory licensing information to gain approval to drill a well; Interfacing with and directing third-party contractors in the development of detailed operations programs; Interfacing with geologists and geophysicists to ensure efficient planning of wells; Monitoring and interpreting drilling parameters and making recommendations for increasing the efficiency of the operation; Performing casing and tubing designs and optimizations (Casings are steel tubulars placed across open hole intervals to create a pressure containing envelope for a well. Tubing is the smallest steel pipe in the well, and acts as the conduit for hydrocarbon to be produced.); and Developing time and cost estimates for drilling and work-over programs. Intervention Tooling Engineer Intervention engineering is the provision of engineering solutions to all remote operating vehicles (ROVs) and diver-based operations. Tooling includes all subsea equipment operated by ROVs and divers. This can include diver aids and tools to accomplish offshore structural installation and maintenance tasks. Other responsibilities may include: Developing engineering applications for existing and new technologies; Ensuring that work performed is in accordance with industry best practice; Developing tooling and intervention strategies in conjunction with design, construction and maintenance programs; November 2009 Page 10 of 29

11 Developing and monitoring performance and quality control standards for the safe use of all intervention equipment; Designing and developing intervention solutions when required; and Working with suppliers for the manufacture or supply of in-house designs. Marine Corrosion Engineer The Marine Corrosion Engineer is responsible for providing engineering support for the long-term integrity of marine systems associated with offshore oil and gas production. Marine systems include topside platform structures, risers and flowlines, marine mechanical equipment, vessel hulls and moorings. Responsibilities may include: Mechanical and structural integrity; Corrosion and erosion (see Figure 8); Cathodic protection; Development and application of corrosion resistant alloys, coatings, wraps and linings; Hazard evaluation; Emergency response; System performance monitoring; and Maintaining regulatory compliance. Figure 8: Pipeline with corrosion. Source: Spectrol Energy Services Inc. Marine Riser Engineer Marine Riser Engineers are critical to undersea gas and oil extension and development. A riser is a string of pipe that connects undersea equipment to a drilling platform rig or drilling ship. It is subject to forces from the ocean such as buffeting of waves caused by storms or just simple drifting. A marine tensioner is used to counteract these forces so that these lines of pipes will not buckle. Riser Engineers use their knowledge and skills to continually improve designs and design methodology resulting in more cost effective and innovative components. Fully working level Riser Engineers must have a good knowledge of all facets of offshore oil and gas operations with particular emphasis placed on deep water riser solutions. Responsibilities may include: Working with multidisciplinary pre-commissioning and commissioning teams representing the marine riser discipline; Performing quality control inspections, audits and verifications; November 2009 Page 11 of 29

12 Developing innovative ideas for improving operations; Providing a link between research and development, and installation of new riser components; Evaluating and analyzing pipe stresses, interaction mechanisms and operational loads; and Overseeing the work of installation and maintenance contractors. Offshore Commissioning Engineer This project-oriented engineering position is involved in the front end of offshore construction projects. Responsibilities may include: Overseeing site contractors; Serving as the chief interface between construction activities and design and planning activities; and Overseeing safety, quality control, costing and scheduling. Offshore Process Engineer A Process Engineer is a technical advisor providing expertise in most facets of offshore oil and gas operations. Responsibilities may include: Execution of front-end loading (FEL) studies, pre- front-end engineering design (pre-feed),front-end engineering design (FEED) and engineering performance certificate (EPC) engineering performance certificate activities; Generating process specifications, process flow diagrams and other process deliverables; Budgeting; and Scheduling. Senior Process Engineers may also have the following responsibilities: Leading other engineers involved in the development of heat and material balances, hydraulic calculations, and the design and rating of vessels, towers, exchangers, pumps, etc. Subsea Controls Engineer Subsea Control Engineers are responsible for the installation and maintenance of subsea controls and umbilical systems for tie-back projects. Figure 4 shows the key components of a production facility using a FPSO. November 2009 Page 12 of 29

13 Responsibilities may include: Overseeing the design, procurement, fabrication, installation and testing of control systems; Ensuring that the control systems are effectively integrated with all other facilities including wells and pipelines; Supervising the installation of equipment by vendors or suppliers; and Providing ongoing guidance to operational staff and assisting with troubleshooting. Subsea Equipment Engineer Subsea Equipment Engineers mechanical engineering backgrounds give them expertise in a variety of marine equipment including: Wellhead systems; Tree systems (valve configuration located on the top of wellheads); Jumper systems; Manifold systems; Production control systems; Installation and work-over systems; Umbilical systems; Remote operating vehicles; Flowlines; and Flowline connection systems. Responsibilities may include: Participating in the specification, design, selection, manufacture, testing and installation of subsea production equipment. Subsea Flow Assurance Engineer Subsea Flow Assurance Engineers provide technical expertise to project and operational teams on fluid dynamics, supporting systems and equipment. Responsibilities may include: Gathering and analyzing statistical data; and Performing fluid studies, simulations and cost benefit analysis and subsequently provide supporting technical reports. November 2009 Page 13 of 29

14 Subsea Installation Engineer Subsea Installation Engineers are involved with developing and amending installation procedures for all offshore equipment. Responsibilities may include: Planning and coordinating drilling rig moves; Ensuring equipment is brought in and taken out at required times during the installation or operational project; and Testing equipment and how it interfaces with subsea structures. Subsea Structural Engineer Subsea Structural Engineers are responsible for executing design and consulting work related to offshore drilling and production platforms. Responsibilities may include: Analyzing structural and hydrodynamic impacts of various platforms; Designing and analyzing hull structural components; Providing finite element and fatigue analysis; and Supervising the development of structural drawings. Subsea Systems Engineer Offshore production involves the initial removal of impurities or contaminants from the oil prior to loading on tankers for transportation to onshore facilities. Subsea Systems Engineers have a broad range of knowledge and experience in all or most of the following areas: Well systems; Subsea production equipment and systems; Umbilical systems; Flowline systems; Riser systems; Host facilities; Subsea architecture development; System hydraulics and flow assurance analyses; Flow assurance mitigation methods; and Risk analysis. November 2009 Page 14 of 29

15 Responsibilities may include: Selecting, designing, installing, commissioning, starting up and operating subsea production systems. Umbilical Engineer Subsea umbilical lines (see Figure 9) supply necessary control and chemicals to oil and gas wells, manifolds and any subsea system requiring a remote control, e.g. remotely operated vehicles or machinery. Responsibilities may include: Providing technical guidance, design and analysis support; Evaluating equipment and subsea architecture; Overseeing manufacturing; and Supervising pre-installation and installation phases of projects. Figure 9: Umbilical lines. Source: Technip. Minimum Qualifications for Entry Education and Experience Engineers Canada is the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulates the practice of engineering in Canada and licenses the country's more than 160,000 professional engineers. For more information, go to and try the following search terms: Accredited Engineering Programs, List by Institution, List by Program Title and/or Engineering Schools. Some programs are tailored to better prepare someone to work in the petroleum industry. For example: The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering degree program at the University of Calgary offers a specialized program in oil and gas, go to and Memorial University offers programs in Process Engineering and Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering, areas that are very relevant to offshore oil and gas operations, go to November 2009 Page 15 of 29

16 For most of the benchmark positions noted in this profile, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine and Ocean Engineering, Structural, Civil or Chemical Engineering from an accredited college or university will suffice when applying for an entry-level position. However, for more specialized positions such as Process Engineers or Corrosion Engineers, Chemical Engineering degrees are typically required. When hiring into intermediate and senior-level positions, employers require experience in environments where the specific disciplines are required. However, when there is an imbalance of high demand and low labour supply, many employers focus on in-house training to address specialty requirements. For information on the International-Education Assessment Program, go to Licensing In Canada, engineering is a regulated profession. This means that by law, no one can practice the profession of engineering without a license. Licensing is carried out by 12 provincial and territorial associations and orders that set standards and regulate the profession. For more information, go to An engineering license is valid only within the jurisdiction that granted it; however, there is a mobility agreement among the provinces and territories regarding transfer of licenses. These associations serve and protect the public on behalf of their provincial or territorial government. Once registered, or licensed, as a member of a provincial or territorial association, engineers are known as professional engineers and are eligible to use the designation "P.Eng." ("ing." in Québec) after their name. In Canada, it is illegal to practice the profession of engineering or to use the P.Eng./ing. designation without being licensed as a member in an association. Before being accepted for registration and licensure, individuals are required to write and pass a series of examinations set by the licensing body in the province or territory where they intend to reside. They must also demonstrate sufficient communication skills in at least one of Canada's two official languages, and have three or four years of acceptable engineering work experience, including one year of experience in a Canadian jurisdiction. To be licensed as a professional engineer by a provincial or territorial engineering association, candidates must typically: Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Citizenship or permanent resident status is required to apply for licensure. It is not possible to be licensed before immigrating to Canada.); November 2009 Page 16 of 29

17 Possess an undergraduate (Bachelor's level) degree in engineering from a recognized Canadian university program, or possess an otherwise recognized engineering degree and complete an assigned exam program. Recognition of degree equivalency by a Canadian university or other organization is unrelated to recognition of a degree by the Engineers Canada and its constituent associations; Complete three or four years of engineering work, depending on the association. Experience obtained outside Canada may be acceptable if sufficient documentation is provided. A minimum of 12 months experience must be in a Canadian environment to ensure familiarity with Canadian codes and standards; Write and pass a professional practice examination on professional practice, ethics, engineering law and liability; Be of good character and reputation; and Be proficient in English (French in Quebec, English or French in New Brunswick). Information for foreign-trained engineers is available on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website at Certifications National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) certification and/or related professional experience are an asset when employers are hiring for a specialty role, e.g. corrosion-related positions. See available certifications at Characteristics and Nature of this Occupation A career as an Offshore Oil or Gas Engineer will appeal to individuals with the following attributes, interests and preferences: Like to build new things, or improve the way things work; Have good communication skills and are able to explain things clearly to others; Are good at math and science; and Like to apply critical thinking and figure out practical solutions to problems. November 2009 Page 17 of 29

18 Regional Considerations Many engineers work from onshore office locations, e.g. Halifax, with frequent trips by helicopter to isolated floating rigs. On occasion, they will need to spend extended periods on these rigs to oversee project development or troubleshoot maintenance problems. Life on a platform can feel isolated and there is exposure to severe marine weather conditions. However, work challenges and the close association with fellow team workers offset these factors. Many companies that operate platform housing crew quarters ensure the quarters are comfortable and the food is good. The East Coast Most of the offshore projects in Canada are located in the Maritimes, e.g. off the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. Five major projects dominate the Maritime offshore operations: The Arctic Cohasset-Panuke, Nova Scotia (light crude oil); Hibernia, Newfoundland and Labrador (crude oil) (see Figure 3); Sable Offshore Energy, Nova Scotia (natural gas and natural gas liquids) (see Figure 5); Terra Nova, Newfoundland and Labrador (crude oil) (see Figure 4); and White Rose Oilfield Development, Newfoundland and Labrador (crude oil) (see Figure 2). Oil and gas exploration in the Canadian arctic has been delayed by high production costs, a complex regulatory environment, environmental issues, Aboriginal issues and a short season. However, the future looks bright for this area particularly in the Beaufort Sea and among the Arctic Islands. The West Coast Oil and gas exploration and development activity has been challenged. A moratorium was place on exploration and development in 1972 for reasons including potential interference with Alaskan oil tanker traffic and environmental issues. However, this area has great potential for renewed activity in the future. Other Work-Related Conditions Most Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers perform their work indoors, onshore in office settings. Trips to the field (offshore platforms) can occur quite frequently depending on project and troubleshooting requirements. Temporary quarters and meals are typical of field work. However, there is exposure to inclement weather and hazardous conditions. Safety protocols are taken seriously with zero tolerance expectations. November 2009 Page 18 of 29

19 Key Competencies and Related Training and Development Competencies Key competencies for this Occupation Profile are listed below. Business Technical Enabling Understand the fundamentals of the industry and the particular operating systems and processes in use; Follow established employer policies, practices and expectations; and Compliance with regulations and legislative requirements, environmental and other standards and safe work procedures including personal protective equipment. Project management; Working knowledge of applicable equipment and industry standards; Strong aptitude for working with computers and database systems; and Proficient in Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint ). Professional interpersonal and influencing skills; Well developed verbal and written communication skills; Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment; Willing to share professional expertise with others; Proven aptitude to effectively manage multiple tasks and changing priorities, often under pressure and within time constraints; and Problem solving techniques to resolve process design and engineering issues. November 2009 Page 19 of 29

20 Training and Development As professionals, engineers are expected to keep current on the latest advances in technology, materials, standards and practices. This expectation, and the engineer s duty to only undertake engineering work for which they are fully competent, are captured in Engineers Canada's Code of Ethics. For more information, go to and search the term Guidelines. Graduation from an accredited undergraduate engineering program provides aspiring engineers with the knowledge and tools they need to enter the profession successfully. However, life-long learning has always been a requirement for professionals due to the rapid introduction of new technologies, and the advances occurring in scientific and engineering knowledge. To facilitate the process of assessing and evaluating the professional competency of engineers on an ongoing basis following registration, and/or assisting members in their professional development, Engineers Canada has developed a national guideline on continued competence, which outlines the responsibilities of engineers, the regulatory associations and ordre, technical societies and educational institutions. The guideline expresses widely accepted principles and is intended as a model to help the regulatory associations and ordre develop jurisdiction specific approaches to ensure the continued competence of professional engineers, and other related professionals, following their initial licensure. For more information, go to and search Continuing Professional Development and Continuing Competence for Professional Engineers. Work Opportunities and Typical Career Path Career Advancement and Occupational Options For most would-be engineers, the first step is to be admitted into an accredited engineering program at a Canadian university. Accredited means that the program has been evaluated by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board Engineers Canada, and found to meet the high standards set by the engineering profession. This process ensures that students who graduate from an accredited program have the technical, design and hands-on skills they need to begin a career in engineering. There are many different fields, or disciplines, of engineering to choose from, and even more accredited engineering programs. More than 30 Canadian universities offer accredited engineering programs. These universities and programs are listed at Engineering internship (Engineer in Training (EIT) or Member in Training (MIT)) programs are offered by all 12 provincial and territorial engineering licensing bodies. Internship programs help individuals understand the requirements for licensing, particularly the engineering work experience required to qualify for a P.Eng. license. November 2009 Page 20 of 29

21 To register or find out more about the profession's engineering internship programs review the websites listed in Table 1. Table 1: Engineering internship programs. PROVINCE LICENSING BODY URL LINK Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA). Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC). Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of Manitoba (APEGM). Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of New Brunswick. Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of the Northwest Territories (NAPEGG) Nova Scotia Engineers Nova Scotia. Ontario Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO). Prince Edward Island Engineers PEI. November 2009 Page 21 of 29

22 PROVINCE LICENSING BODY URL LINK Québec Saskatchewan Yukon Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ). Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of Saskatchewan. Association of Professional Engineers of Yukon Entry into this occupation typically begins at the junior or associate engineer level, with upward mobility through intermediate, advanced, team lead, supervisory and finally, management levels. In some cases, engineer-in-training and co-op and intern student roles are entry-level points to professional engineering jobs. Some roles may be performed by a number of engineering disciplines, offering more flexibility for movement. Others, particularly those that are specialized, may require a combination of work experience and post-graduate training. Career paths typically offer people management or technical specialization opportunities, often with the same employer. There are generally two career paths in Engineering technical and managerial. A technical path provides opportunities to increase depth of knowledge and skill in a specialization. A typical career progression may look like this: Engineer (Junior Intermediate Senior) to Project Engineer to Specialist, Advanced Specialist and Senior Specialist. A managerial path involves leading and directing the engineering function, often comprised of interrelated professionals with different fields of expertise. This career path focuses on leadership and may look like this: Project Engineer to Supervisor, Manager and Senior Manager. Figure 10 shows the complementary career paths. Within the industry, it is common to hire someone in early stages of their career with any related engineering degree and to support their skills development in a particular area of expertise that meets an employer s needs and appeals to the interests of the individual. When employers fill positions, a common practice is to consider whether equivalencies of formal education and work experience will meet business needs. However, increased sophistication within the industry requires that individuals in specialist roles have specific directly related academic backgrounds and experience. November 2009 Page 22 of 29

23 Employment Outlook The oil and gas industry is key to Canada s economy and with many people retiring over the coming decade, the industry is expected to hire for years to come. The number of people retiring already outnumbers those joining the industry today. The Petroleum Human Resources Council has generated medium to long-term industry validated labour market information that forecasts employment demand to 2020 for exploration, development, production, service industries, pipeline transmission, gas processing and mining, and extracting and upgrading heavy oil (in situ) and bitumen. Overall, oil sands operations are expected to provide the most new employment opportunities, while conventional oil and gas activity is projected to decrease over time and not return to the peak experienced in In addition, the service and pipeline sectors are expected to provide increasing support to the heavy oil (in situ) extraction within the oil sands. The East Coast For more information, see The Strategic Human Resources Study of the Upstream Petroleum Industry: The Decade Ahead at or Canada s Evolving Offshore Oil and Gas Industry at Atlantic reserves could contain 18 per cent of Canada s total conventional crude oil and natural gas resources. The proximity to large American markets also bodes well for East Coast oil and gas production. Current infrastructure and four season operations are two other factors boding well for optimistic projections. The Arctic Two Arctic sedimentary regions alone contain 16 per cent of Canada s total conventional oil and gas resources. A large portion of these reserves is offshore in the Beaufort Sea and among the Arctic Islands. Future planned northern pipeline projects and increasing world demand may positively impact future Arctic exploration and development. For more information, see Canada s Evolving Offshore Oil and Gas Industry at The West Coast The West Coast is estimated to contain about four per cent of Canada s oil and gas resources. Although there has been no development since 1972, the British Columbia government is looking to diversify its economy from reliance upon fishing and forestry. Opening up oil and gas developmentwill only proceed through consultation with Aboriginal, environmental, and regulatory bodies. or more information, see Canada s Evolving Offshore Oil and Gas Industry at November 2009 Page 23 of 29

24 Figure 10: Career advancement. Source: APEGGA. November 2009 Page 24 of 29

25 Workplaces and Employers in the Petroleum Industry Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers work for hiring companies including: Oil and gas exploration, production and transportation; Petroleum services; Engineering consulting; and Educational institutions. Compensation: Wages, Salaries and Other Typical Remuneration Compensation within the oil and gas industry is competitive when compared to similar jobs in other sectors, particularly for technical disciplines. A summary of published information links can be found at A Salary Survey is also available on the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) website at Extra Information Related Web Links Table 2: Related web links. SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) Provides valuable career information and links. See the brochure entitled Careers in Engineering, Geology and Geophysics the facts ; and Information about how to become licensed and registered to practice in Alberta. November 2009 Page 25 of 29

26 SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Information and statistics about the Canadian petroleum industry, by region. Canadian Centre for Energy Information Provides information on the energy industry including a glossary of terms. Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) Engineers Canada (Canadian Council of Professional Engineers) Role is to facilitate the exploration for and development of hydrocarbon resources in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area in a manner that conforms to the statutory provisions. The national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulates the practice of engineering in Canada and licenses over 160,000 professional engineers; Provides links to provincial and territorial associations; Provides links to Canadian and international engineering associations; Provides information about student scholarships; and Frequently Asked Questions International Education Assessment. Generation-E Provides an interactive exploration of engineering innovations, career paths and opportunities, with supporting resources for teachers and guidance counselors. November 2009 Page 26 of 29

27 SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Government of British Columbia Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Government of Nova Scotia Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) Job Futures National Edition NACE International (originally established as The National Association of Corrosion Engineers) Provides information on British Columbia s energy issues. Provides information about Newfoundland and Labrador s oil and gas industry. Describes energy environment in Nova Scotia. Provides a National Occupation Classification (NOC) description that includes main responsibilities, example titles, employment requirements, additional information and links to similar occupations. Description of occupations work, education, training and experience, work prospects and important facts. Recognized internationally as an authority for corrosion control solutions in the engineering and science community www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca P.Eng. Provides key information about the P.Eng Designation what it is, how to get it, etc. November 2009 Page 27 of 29

28 SOURCE DESCRIPTION URL LINK Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada This website provides information and resources on human resources issues facing the oil and gas industry including the Occupation Profiles Library; The site also includes an information package called Careers in Oil and Gas: Rich with Potential ; and The Careers in Oil and Gas website provides information about the industry, job search tips and other career management information. Petroleum Industry Human Resources Committee (PIHRC) Project Management Institute (PMI) PIHRC s mandate is to review employment, training and other human resource issues related to the emerging provincial petroleum sector and develop initiatives to disseminate information about careers in the oil and gas industry. An association for the project management profession sets professional standards, promotes professional development and offers certification in project management. Something to Think About and Helpful Tips Students, parents, career counselors and others who are interested in obtaining more information about the Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers occupation may find it useful to: Review the brief descriptions of the many engineering disciplines at Review Engineering Your Future a Career Planning Guide in Engineering at Review the Generation-E Career Launch at November 2009 Page 28 of 29

29 Review the P-Eng website for helpful information, including a section of Frequently Asked Questions at Contact educational institutions for information on related post-secondary programs; Review websites of industry and professional associations; and Attend career fairs hosted by employers who offer jobs and careers in this occupation, and review their websites to learn more about their business focus. Individuals are also encouraged to participate in: National Engineering Month and National Technology Week held each November and offers a host of activities along with interactive and fun resources to help students, teachers and parents explore career choices in applied science and engineering technology Potential Offshore Oil and Gas Engineers should consider acquiring skills and knowledge in the competency areas outline in this Occupation Profile. Additional suggestions include: Seek a Bachelor's degree in engineering to begin a career as an engineer. This degree will typically take four years, and will help someone become proficient in the design, budgeting and implementation of pipeline projects; Choose a university that offers co-op engineering programs. These programs combine academic classes with practical experience terms involving participating employers; Gain familiarity with the predominant design software used by engineering firms for pipeline design. Universities and first employers provide basic software, but a person should seek proficiency in alternative software titles to broaden their skills. A good way to find out about the latest design software is to review trade publications that offer demo links; Remain open to new opportunities in engineering by staying flexible about work-related travel. Engineers must go to job sites on a regular basis to assess progress of pipe fitting and structural construction. A person should become comfortable with traveling 25 per cent of their early career to stay competitive; Obtain employment with a construction company during summer breaks from university. Several months of work on a commercial construction site will demonstrate the hard work and diligence that is used with every engineering project; and Compile a list of contractors and regional companies. The contacts established early in a person s career can be utilized to save money and create a quality pipeline for future employers. November 2009 Page 29 of 29