Alberta Oil Careers

Category: Alberta Oil Jobs

  • Exploring the Different Types of Oil Field Jobs!

    For many families throughout the world, oil field jobs have been acting as a dependable source of income for many years. This includes both on and offshore jobs as well as blue and white collar jobs. The oil industry has countries spread out all around the world that do a global business and are classified as one of the leading business sectors. Some of the different kinds of jobs that exist on the oil fields are discussed below:

    Roughneck

    This is perhaps the most common job and comprises of individuals who are responsible for working on and around drilling rigs and platforms. A high level of agility and physical fitness is the basic requirement of this job as it’s extremely labor intensive. The salary is also worth the effort although it is lower as compared to skilled workers. The main activities of the workers include repairing problems related to the rig, carrying parts and pipes, changing drill fittings and operating the drill equipment. But the main responsibility is the running the connecting pipe down the well shaft.

     Tool Pusher

    The boss of the drilling site is the tool pusher. For several days a week, the tool pusher has to stay on location. In order to guarantee production, the tool pusher is responsible for keeping the drilling team on task. Also known as rig master, the tool pusher works in the same manner as a line supervisor in a manufacturing line. Their salary is considerably better than the roughnecks.

    Driller

    Oil field jobs include that of drillers who head separate drilling teams. The boss of a single crew is a driller and is deemed answerable for their team’s production. Therefore, keeping the drilling process on target is their job. During drilling and other operations of the rig, the driller is responsible for the machinery. The outfitting and repair process is also supervised by them. The salary of the driller is similar to that of roughnecks.

    Derrick hand

    The drilling mud is the responsibility of the derrick hand. A mixture which is utilized in drilling gas and oil wells for lubricating the holes is called the drilling mud. In this way, during drilling, the pipe remains cool and straight. The derrick hand supervises the drilling process when the pipe is removed from the well. Their salary is quite considerable and sufficient.
    These are the different kinds of oil field jobs that can be availed.

  • Securing oil rig jobs is also possible without experiences

    Most of the job seekers believe that there is no chance of getting oil rig jobs if you have no prior experiences. To some extent there view is valid as there are many jobs where strict criteria of selections are maintained. However, there are many such oil drill jobs where experience is no bar. In fact, in these types of jobs only a high school diploma is necessary to get hired. But if anyone is interested in advancing with this challenging career then required education and some degree of training are also necessary. As the oil rig jobs are plenty and all of these jobs offer great stability, financial security and great career opportunity we should be specific only about those positions for which no prior experiences are needed. As these jobs needed persons with no experiences or no formal education so the demand for these posts are also very high. It will be better for anybody to realize what the proper way of getting hired is and what is the wrong one.

    One necessary thing that should be done by any job seeker is a solid planning for the future. If anyone is interested in making rapid money by doing a job for a short period of time then his/her options can be different from the options of a person who wants to pursue a career in this challenging field. A great thing about some of the oil drilling jobs where no prior experience is required is that they are good to serve both the purposes. Several such jobs are there where no experience or formal educational degrees are needed and they can be used as platform for building a good career in oil related jobs or they can be used to earn some extra bucks during a short period of time. Oil Rig Jobs -Have you been considering employment on an oil rig jobs? It is to your advantage to have some basic understanding of the danger complicated in this work. As you are better informed, you can determine if this is the right kind of working environment for you. A blowout is one of the most dangerous and expensive situations on an oil rig jobs. And drilling companies and personnel take every precaution to keep away from these human and environmental risks.

    This is true that in different advertisement for oil rig jobs the term no experience is there but the term itself is a bit misleading. The employer company is actually interested to see some working experience which not necessarily is in the related industry and any work experience in any other sector can be proven as a great benefit for the job seeker. Many of the oil rig companies are interested to train the devoted workers, still this sector is not very safe for the young ones with no prior work experience in any field as the danger and risks are always there.

    To Know more about Oil Field and Oil Rig Job Articles

  • City Spotlight: Grande Prairie Alberta

    Are you looking for work in a new city; you may want to consider Grande Prairie Alberta. In this guide we are going to introduce you to Grande Prairie, its population, climate, and economy.

    Location

    Grande Prairie is the main city in northwestern Alberta in western Canada. The city is located on the southern edge of Peace River County and almost on the border with British Columbia. Grande Prairie is located north of the 55th parallel and is 465 kilometers (289 miles) northwest of Edmonton. The city is bounded by farmland to the north, east, and west, and by immense boreal forest to the south. The city is on the edge of the aspen parkland which contains the northernmost area of aspen in North America which has long been altered from widespread oil and gas drilling.

    Climate

    Grande Prairie has a climate typical of northern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia. Winters in Grande Prairie are often very cold with some mild spells and the summers are typically mild throughout the day and cool at night. Hot days over 30°C (86°F) are uncommon, and only occur one to two times per year which is not unexpected for a northern Alberta climate. Winters vary from year to year.

    The average temperature in Grande Prairie in January is -15°C however temperatures as low as -52°C have been recorded in previous years.

    Population

    Grande Prairie is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities and as of the 2006 Canadian census Grande Prairie has a total population of 47,076. Grande Prairie is Alberta’s seventh largest incorporated city and is the largest city between Edmonton, Alberta and Fairbanks, Alaska.

    Economy

    Grande Prairie has one of the most diverse economies in all of Alberta. Their economy covers agriculture, forestry, oil, and natural gas. There have been two major oilfield discoveries in this area with the Elmworth and Deep Basin fields which has brought substantial oil and natural gas development to the area. Major employers in Grande Prairie are Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd., Burlington Resources, Bonus Well Servicing, Schlumberger, Devon Energy Corporation, Talisman Energy, and EnCana.

    Here are some related articles about oil field jobs:

  • City Spotlight: Fort McMurray Alberta

    Have you been thinking about making the move to Fort McMurray Alberta but don’t know anything about the city? Well we have the right guide for you; in this article we highlight the city of Fort McMurray Alberta, its location, history, population, climate, and economy.

    Fort McMurray, or as it is commonly referenced to in the media “Fort McMoney” is an oil boom town located in Northeastern Alberta in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Although it has a large enough population and many people think of it as a city, Fort McMurray is technically not a city as it is un-incorporated.

    Location

    Fort McMurray is located in northeastern Alberta Approximately 435 kilometers (270 miles) northeast of Edmonton on highway 63 and about 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Saskatchewan. It is located in the boreal forest at the convergence of the Athabasca River and the Clearwater River.

    History

    Before European settlers arrived in the 18th century, the First Nations tribes “The Cree” were the dominant peoples of the Fort McMurray area and were known to use the oil sands to waterproof their canoes and housing.

    Fort McMurray has played a considerable role in the history and developments within the Canadian petroleum industry. Oil exploration is believed to have been going on in Fort McMurray since the early 20th century, but wasn’t seriously examined until 1921 when the Alcan Oil Company showed interest in developing a refining plant in Fort McMurray to separate the oil from the sands.

    Abasands Oil was actually the first company that successfully extracted oil from the oil sands through a process known as “hot water extraction” in the 1930s.

    In 1967, the Great Canadian Oil Sands Plant opened for business and Fort McMurray’s economy skyrocketed and has been skyrocketing ever since.

    Population

    As of 2006 Fort McMurray’s population is 64,441 and has sustained an average annual growth rate of almost 9% since 1999. Fort McMurray’s population is forecasted to reach the 100,000 mark by 2012. Native Albertans make up almost half of Fort McMurray’s population while the second largest denomination of people in Fort McMurray are people from Newfoundland and Labrador, with 20% of the population.

    Fort McMurray is a very cold place to be in the winter but has moderate temperatures in the summer. Fort McMurray’s climate is actually classified as sub arctic. In January, the average temperature in Fort McMurray is -19.8°C (-3.6°F) while the average temperature in July is 16.6°C (61.9°F).

    Economy

    Fort McMurray is located close to the Athabasca Oil Sands and serves as a base of operations for many of the companies and employees that work in the Oil Sands. Fort McMurray is considered one of the major cores of oil production in Alberta and its economy is largely based on the oil sands industry. Fort McMurray’s economy also relies on oil pipelines, natural gas, and forestry.

    Links of Interest

  • Alberta’s Oil Field Safety Courses

    Alberta’s Oil Field Safety Courses

    In this guide we will introduce you to several safety courses that will help you get a job in Alberta’s oil field.

    When working for any oil field company in Alberta safety is the number one concern and you can always rest assure that you and the people you are working with will have the proper knowledge and safety training to keep the jobsite safe. In this guide we are going to look at several different courses that you can take prior to looking for a job that will look good on your resume and help you get a job and get to work faster and safer.

    Keep in mind attending these courses is strictly optional as most companies will hire you without them and will actually pay for you to attend them, but it can’t hurt to have a few before you start looking.

    H2S Alive
    This course is mandatory to have for anyone working in the oil field or anyone that could be exposed to Hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This course covers the properties and hazards of H2S, how to protect yourself from H2S, and how to rescue others that have been exposed to H2S.

    First Aid and CPR

    First Aid and CPR are great tools to learn for everyday life as well as for the workplace. First Aid and CPR

    will give you the skills and knowledge to care for an injury until professional medical help arrives. In order to step foot on an oil field in Alberta an employee must be trained in First Aid and CPR.

    Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
    WHMIS is the national communication program for hazardous materials in Canada. You will be working with dangerous chemicals and materials in the oil field and you will have to take a WHMIS course. Keep in mind WHMIS is not transferable from employer to employer so every time you start a new job your new employer will have to give you a WHMIS certification, so taking this course on your own may be redundant.

    Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
    TDG is much like WHMIS in that it is a communication program for hazardous materials but it is specifically designed for the transportation of those hazardous materials. Again, like WHMIS, your transportation of dangerous goods certification is non-transferable.

    Here are some articles regarding Alberta’s oil industry and careers:

  • Basic Requirements for a Job in Alberta’s Oil Field

    Basic Requirements for a Job in Alberta’s Oil Field

    This guide outlines the basic requirements you should have before looking for work in the Alberta oil field jobs and what employers are looking for when hiring new employees. Working in Alberta’s oil field jobs can be a very satisfying livelihood but at the same time it can be very demanding. Working long hours, long periods of time away from home, and working in the elements are very common in most oilfield jobs but so are above average pay, travel, and working in the great outdoors.

    When it comes to working in the oil field you have to take the good with the bad and realize that these types of jobs won’t suit everyone, but for the right individual the oil field can provide a very satisfying career.

    Each individual company will have their own set of requirements for hiring a new employee but here is a list of common requirements found in Albertan oil field employers:

    • High school education
    • Class III or class I (class V in some provinces) clean drivers license
    • You must be physically fit (i.e. normal blood pressure, strong, be in half decent shape)
    • Be drug free (they will test you)

    While those are the basic requirements most employers in the oil field jobs are looking for here are some of the skills you should possess if you would like to succeed in the industry:

    • Be able to read and write
    • Be able to communicate yourself and your ideas verbally
    • Problem solving skills
    • Planning and organizational skills
    • Plans and documentation skills (read maps, plans, ect.)
    • Math and science skills
    • Be mechanically apt

    Here are some articles related to Alberta’s oil industry:

  • About The Drilling Industry in Alberta

    About The Drilling Industry in Alberta

    In this guide we will discuss the drilling industry in Alberta, what it is, employment opportunities, and everything else you may want to know about Alberta’s drilling rigs.

    Alberta’s drilling industry is a crucial player in the search for new crude oil and natural gas deposits in Alberta as well as the rest of Canada. Once geologists have a location plotted where they think there could be a large deposit of oil or gas a drilling rig comes in and drills a well.

    The drilling industry in Alberta has evolved quite a bit since the first discovery of oil in Alberta and is now a highly technologically advanced multi billion dollar industry.

    Drilling rigs are owned and operated by private companies that specialize in drilling wells and are called “drilling contractors” and are contracted by the large oil companies to drill their wells. Some of these “drilling contractors” are larger then others and some drilling companies specialize in certain types of drilling, such as directional drilling or deep well drilling.

    Alberta’s drilling industry is constantly expanding as are the ever changing technologies that form the industry and result in a great need for skilled personnel and laborers.

    Here are some articles about some oil field jobs:

  • Oil Patch Cities in Alberta

    Oil Patch Cities in Alberta

    Are you thinking about moving to Alberta to work in the oil industry but have no idea which city would make a great home? Alberta Oil Careers brings you the Guide to Oil Patch Cities in Alberta which will help you find a new place to call home.

    1. Fort McMurray Alberta

    Fort McMurray (or as it is commonly referred to, “Fort McMoney”) is located in northern Alberta along the Saskatchewan border in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Now technically Fort McMurray is no longer incorporated so it is not listed as a city, but it has a population large enough to make several. The population of Fort McMurray in 2006 was tallied at almost 65,000 people and the “city” has a projected population of about 100,000 before 2012. Albertans make up about 50% of the Fort McMurray population followed by almost 40% of migrants from the Atlantic Provinces that for the most part were in search of work.

    Being in heart of the Athabasca Oil Sands makes Fort McMurray one of North America’s major oil producers, but Fort McMurray’s economy also relies on the traditional oil sector, natural gas, and forestry.

    Known as a “boomtown” Fort McMurray’s economy is growing at an exponential rate opening the doors for people in search of work. Right now there is an endless supply of job openings in Fort McMurray for anyone willing to relocate there.

    There are several things you should consider before moving to Fort McMurray; living costs are far higher then one would expect from a comparably small northern Alberta area, and you are in a remote location. Aside from those two small factors Fort McMurray is an excellent place to live and find work.

    2. Grande Prairie Alberta

    Grande Prairie in the main city in Northwestern Alberta and is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities with a population of just over 47,000 with a growth rate of 23%. Grande Prairie is Alberta’s seventh largest city, and the biggest city between Edmonton and Alaska. Grande Prairie is surrounded by farmland and vast boreal forests.

    The major industries in Grande Prairie are oil, natural gas, forestry, and agriculture. Although Grande Prairie is not known to be a “boomtown” there are still plenty of high paying jobs to be had by hard workers in the oil, gas, and forestry industries.

    3. Edmonton Alberta

    Alberta Oil Career Map

    Edmonton is the Capital city of Alberta and boasts the provinces second largest population with over 730,000 permanent residents. Edmonton is the staging point for the large scale oil sands projects in northern Alberta as well as the Northwest Territories large diamond operations. Edmonton is one of two oil headquarters in Alberta where many oil companies base their operations from.

    There are plenty of jobs to be had in Edmonton with oil and gas companies as well as in the oilfield service sector. If you are looking for a corporate job in the oil sector then Edmonton is a perfect place to start looking.

    4. Red Deer Alberta

    Red Deer Alberta’s third largest city behind Calgary and Edmonton with a population of 83,000 and is located almost directly between the two on the Calgary-Edmonton corridor. Red Deer’s economy is primarily focused on the oil and gas industry but also includes cattle production and grain.

    Red Deer has a booming oil sector with lots of job opportunities available in the exploration, production, service, and maintenance sub sectors. Red Deer is an exceptional place to live with lots of employment opportunities, reasonable living costs, as well as great neighborhoods and schools for families.

    5. Calgary Alberta

    Calgary is Alberta’s largest city (by population) with a population count of just over 988,000 and is the third largest city in Canada. Calgary is located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in Southern Alberta.

    Calgary’s economy is dominated by the oil and gas industry and is home to the behemoths of the oil industry such as: British Petroleum, EnCana, Imperial, Shell, Petro Canada, Suncor, and TransCanada, as well as thousands of smaller oil and gas companies which lead to many job possibilities.

    Calgary is an expensive city to live in and there isn’t very much affordable housing which makes it hard for someone moving to Calgary on a fixed budget. If you do not have a tight budget then Calgary is a great place to live but for those of you that do then you may want to look into a smaller city that is more affordable.

    6. Brooks Alberta

    Brooks is one of Alberta’s newest cities (2005) with a population of 12,000 and is located southeast of Calgary in Southern Alberta in what is commonly referred to as the “Canadian Badlands.”

    Brooks’ economy is solely driven by the oil and gas industry which is why it is often called an “oil patch town.” There are many companies in Brooks in need of skilled/unskilled employees, in Brooks many people find a new job the same day they begin looking for one.

    On top of the excellent job market Brooks has a very reasonable cost of living, with plenty of affordable apartments and houses.

    Recommended Resources
    City of Fort McMurray Official Website
    City of Grande Prairie Official Website
    City of Edmonton Official Website
    City of Red Deer Official Website
    City of Calgary Official Website
    City of Brooks Official Website

  • The Alberta Oil Industry

    The Alberta Oil Industry

    In this guide we discuss The Alberta Oil Industry and its two main sectors; conventional oil production and the Oil Sands project.

    For over 50 years the driving force in Alberta’s economy has been the oil and gas industry, giving the province thousands of jobs in exploration, production, transportation, distribution, refining, and has contributed over $3.7 billion in direct royalty payments to the Alberta Government in less then three years (2003 – 2006).

    Even though Alberta’s conventional oil sector has been around for over 50 years the province has created a large infrastructure that is dedicated to the continued growth of the conventional oil sector through exploration, drilling, and transporting as well as creating new technologies that would assist Alberta’s oil industry. Between the years 2000 and 2005 private industry has invested more the $100 billion in the provinces conventional oil and gas industries with hopes of growing the business well into the next 50 years.

    The majority of the crude oil that is produced in Alberta is exported to other countries.

    Along with the conventional oil and gas industry Alberta also has an enormous oil resource in

    its oil sands. The oil sands reserves are the second largest oil reserves in the world, second to Saudi Arabia. Time magazine has said Alberta’s Oil Sands could satisfy the world’s oil demands for the next century.

    What exactly are the Oil Sands? Alberta’s Oil Sands are deposits of bitumen, hard oil that will not flow unless it is heated or thinned with lighter hydrocarbons. The Oil Sand deposits are primarily located in three areas in north eastern Alberta and are believed to be much larger then the state of Florida.

    In 2005 the Alberta Oil Sands produced approximately 58% of Alberta’s oil and about 40% of all crude oil produced in Canada.

    The Alberta Oil Sands industry is growing at a steady rate; it is currently producing about 966,000 barrels or oil per day and is estimated to grow to around 3 million barrels per day by the year 2020 and 5 million barrels per day by 2030.

    So as you can see the Alberta oil industry is definitely in it’s infancy with plenty of great money making years to come.

    Here are some articles related to Alberta’s oil industry:

  • Moving to Alberta – Resources to Help You Prepare

    Moving to Alberta – Resources to Help You Prepare

    Whether you are moving to Alberta from within the province or from elsewhere in Canada or the world here are all the resources you are going to need to start your new life in oil country.

    Alberta Communities
    Community Profiles
    Official Alberta Population Lists / history from 2000-2010

    Living Arrangements
    Affordable Housing
    Condominium – Buying and Owning
    Home Renovations and Repair
    Information for Landlords and Tenants – Tipsheet
    Mobile Home Site – Renting
    Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service – Edmonton Area
    Welcome to Alberta: Information for Immigrants Publication
    Federal Service – Buying a Home
    Federal Service – Housing Programs and Financial Assistance
    Alberta apartments and houses for rent
    Edmonton & N. Alberta, Apartments for Rent

    Forwarding Your Mail and Changing Your Address
    Federal Service – Canada Post
    Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan – Moving
    How to Change Your Address
    Motor Vehicle Registration
    Operator’s (Driver’s) Licence
    Federal Service – Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
    Federal Service – Canada Revenue Agency: Online Address Change
    Federal Service – Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Change of Address
    Federal Service – Old Age Security Pension
    Federal Service – Veterans Services

    Getting Settled

     

    welcome to albertaAlberta Doctor Directory
    Alberta Municipalities Listing
    Immigration
    Welcome to Alberta: Information for Immigrants Publication

    Services and Schools
    Alberta Dentist Directory
    Alberta Doctor Directory

    Alberta Rural Family Medicine Network (ARFMN)
    Attractions
    Choosing a School
    Colleges, Technical Institutes and Universities
    Day Care Lookup
    Directory of Public Libraries in Alberta
    Drug Benefit list (interactive)
    Family Day Home Agency Lookup
    Hospitals – Approved Hospitals by Region
    Lawyers
    Motor Vehicle Registration
    Museums and Historic Sites
    Outdoor Activities and Recreation
    Welcome to Alberta: Information for Immigrants Publication

    Utilities
    Energy Providers
    Natural Gas Rebate Program

    Moving to Alberta from another Province
    Energy Providers
    Housing Support Programs
    Intransit Permit
    Transferring to an Alberta School (K-12)
    Federal Service – Consumer Checklist for Choosing a Moving Company

    Moving to Alberta from another Country
    Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
    CERTinfo – Certification and Registration Requirements for Employment in Alberta
    Energy Providers
    Exchanging a Non-Alberta Operator’s Licence
    Guide to Immigration
    Housing Support Programs
    Language Assessment and Referral Centres
    Transferring to an Alberta School (K-12)
    Travel Essentials
    Welcome to Alberta: Information for Immigrants Publication
    Working in Alberta: A Guide for Internationally Trained and Educated Immigrants

    Federal Service – Newcomers Guide to Canadian Housing

    Information about Alberta
    About the Province of Alberta
    Alberta’s Economic Advantages
    Facts on Alberta
    Highlights of the Alberta Economy
    Kindergarten to Grade 12 – Education in Alberta
    Labour Market Information
    Taxes / Rebates Publications and Forms
    Travel Alberta
    Welcome to Alberta: Information for Immigrants Publication