Working in the oil and gas industry in Canada

Canada is the world's third-largest oil country after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. This North American country holds 10% of the world's reserves. Canada is also one of the world's largest oil producers and exporters. According to USA Today, oil production in Canada has increased by almost 30% in the last 5 years.

In June 2019, Prime Minister Trudeau approved construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, which will triple the existing capacity from 300,000 bpd to 890,000 bpd. The 1,150-km transport system would extend from the Alberta oil sands to the coast of British Columbia. Crude shipments could start as early as 2022, barring any significant legislative changes.

Almost all (97%) of Canada's oil production comes from the three provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta produces almost 80% of Canada's oil, Saskatchewan about 13%, and Newfoundland and Labrador about 4%. British Columbia and Manitoba also produce 1% each.

Most immigrant oil workers go to work in Alberta. The province is the largest producer of crude oil, synthetic oil, natural gas and petroleum products in Canada, and one of the world's largest exporters and producers of natural gas. Alberta's oil sands area (142,200 km²) is larger than England.

In this article you will learn:

• Salaries of oil workers in Canada
• Terms and conditions of work
• Employee requirements in the industry
  • Education
  • License
  • Work experience
  • Knowledge of English
  • Special rights
• How to find a job in the industry

Salaries of oil workers in Canada

Canada's oil sector attracts foreign workers primarily by its high wages.

According to the Neuvoo website, the average salary in the oil and gas industry in Canada is $55,575 CAD per year ($4,631 per month) or $28.50 per hour. Entry-level positions have salaries starting at $37,050, while most experienced workers earn up to $94,478 per year.

Average wages in the Canadian oil and gas industry by province (CAD):

• Saskatchewan: $57,769;
• Alberta: $57,038;
• British Columbia: $52,650;
• Manitoba: $50,700.

According to Statistics Canada, the average wage in the oil and gas industry (along with forestry, fishing and mining) is $38.50 CAD per hour. From 2014 to 2018, this amount increased by 10%.

Salaries on average across Canada in the oil and gas industry vary widely by sub-category (CAD):

• oil exploration and production: 153.6 th;
• on the oil pipeline: 145.1 th;
• services sector in the oil and gas industry: 95.7 th;
• production sector: 56.6 ths.

Terms and conditions of work

Good working conditions and salaries — only for experienced, highly qualified professionals with the appropriate education.

If there is neither experience in the oil and gas industry nor education, one can work, for example, as a support worker (leasehand) on a drilling rig. His/her duties include cleaning the equipment and the site, inspecting the equipment, helping the crew on duty, assisting in the transportation of equipment and units, and performing other tasks as assigned by the personnel. After 6-8 months of working as an auxiliary worker you can be promoted to third assistant driller (floorhand).

An oilman without a complete education can get at most a position of work team leader (supervisor).

Many people go to work on a rotational basis at remote sites in Alberta. Usually the employer takes care of the moving expenses or reimburses them. Often rotational work means working in winter at -50°C far from civilization in the deep taiga, living in a caravan without normal food and normal rest. The shifts often last 12 hours. The shift foremen earn good money in such conditions .

If you have a background in the oil and gas industry, you can get a job in Canada as a petroleum engineer. Such specialists are employed both directly at oil and gas production facilities and in consulting companies, government organizations, and educational institutions.

Petroleum engineers conduct research to explore and develop fields, recover oil and gas, design facilities for the oil and gas industry, and direct the drilling of wells to produce oil and gas. They also design the equipment used in oil and gas fields: drilling equipment, oil and gas storage tanks, hoists, floating drilling platforms, and devices for developing oil production from oil sands.

The minimum contract period for most companies in the oil and gas industry is 6 months.

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