OPERATORS / NOC #93101

Offshore Petroleum Operator Offshore Petroleum Operator 1

On an offshore petroleum production vessel, offshore petroleum operators are the generalists who keep everything moving
smoothly, from the rig’s equipment to the oil and natural gas they’ve come out to sea to find.

Oil and natural gas exploration and production in Canada occurs both on land as well as on offshore vessels and installation
Offshore production operators have a number of responsibilities including monitoring, operating and maintaining the vast
network of pipes, pumps, separators, centrifuges, processing units and valves on an offshore petroleum production vessel.

Oil and gas

Sub-sector Offshore

Environment Primarily outdoor work

Education High school diploma

Career Demand Limited

Work Activities
In this occupation, activities may include:
 Offshore Petroleum Operator 2
Operating electronic or computerized control panels from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical an
chemical processes for several processing units
Operating control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direc
product flow rate, according to process schedules.
Adjusting equipment performance to match operating requirement (centrifuges for low gravity solids removal or barit
recovery), optimize screen selection on shale shakers or mud cleaners etc.
Ensuring equipment is in good condition and operating properly
Monitoring process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

A High School Diploma is required with some companies requiring a College Diploma in process operation, sciences o
related subject

Certifications

The following certificates may be required and obtained by taking short courses for work in an offshore environment:
First Aid
Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness (H S Alive®)
2
Blowout Prevention
Well Control
Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
Firefighting

Licensing

A provincial power engineer licence, compressor operator or refrigeration certificate may be required when certain ki
equipment are included in the process.
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Additional Requirements

Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Marine work in general includes:
Basic Survival Training
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET)
Helicopter Underwater Emergency Breathing Apparatus (HUEBA)
Marine Emergency Duties (MED)

Nature of Work & Environment

Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:

Minimal or no travel
Shiftwork/variable work hours
Primarily outdoor work
Physical work
Safety-sensitive environment
Work away from home/in camps

Competencies
Production and Processing
Understanding Risk
Works Safely
Interpreting Documents/Plans
Mechanical Operation
Preventative Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Selection
Operation and Control
 Offshore Petroleum Operator 4
Operation Monitoring
Troubleshooting

Additional Work Activities

Working safely and participate in emergency drill / safety meetings.
Participating in safety audits and programs and provide emergency response when required.
Adjusting equipment performance to match operating requirement (centrifuges for low gravity solids removal or barit
recovery), optimize screen selection on shale shakers or mud cleaners etc.
Operating electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and
chemical processes for several processing units.
Operating control panels to coordinate and regulate process variables such as temperature and pressure, and to direc
product flow rate, according to process schedules.
Completing job-related paperwork and other records for self and assigned crew.
Ensuring equipment is in good condition and operating properly.
Reading automatic gauges at specified intervals to determine the flow rate of oil into or from tanks, and the amount o
tanks.
Monitoring process indicators, instruments, gauges and meters to detect and report any possible problems.
Operating compressors, pumps and separators.
Servicing mechanical equipment (pumps and compressors) devices.
Supervising, coordinating and educating service operators and operator assistants and any third parties in rig up,
operations, routine service and maintenance and rig down of all operations equipment.
Mentoring and monitoring service operators and operator assistants in proper performance and associated paperwor
reports.

Also known as

Oilfield production operator

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Operations technician
Petroleum process operator
Petroleum unit operator
Plant operator
Gas field production operator
Process technician
Production controller
Production planner
Production technician

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