Top 5 Engineering Careers in the Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry has been a cornerstone of the Canadian economy with Canada ranking 5th and 4th in natural gas production and crude oil production, respectively.

The expansive industry always has an ever-growing need for innovative minds to meet Canadian energy demands. Luckily, there are various types of career paths that engineers fulfill in the oil and gas sector. Here are 5 exciting career opportunities for engineers seeking employment in the oil and gas sector that promise a fulfilling career and a chance to be at the forefront of technological advancement in the energy industry. 

1. Petroleum Engineer

• Median salary CAD: $92,525/year
• Job description: Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. They oversee drilling operations, ensuring efficient and safe extraction processes. Some of their daily tasks include analyzing geological data, monitoring production rates, and implementing new technologies to enhance recovery and reduce costs.
• Some required skills:
  • Subsurface mapping
  • Project management
  • Petroleum Reservoir Simulation and Modelling Analysis (ex: Eclipse)
  • Technical report writing
  • Subsurface mapping

2. Field Engineer

• Median salary (CAD): $70,366/year
• Job description: Field engineers oversee daily project operations, ensuring all materials, equipment, and resources are available to maintain production schedules and budgets. They collect, coordinate, and analyze project data, shop drawings, and design specifications to ensure compliance with quality and contract standards, providing technical input and identifying potential risks.  They also manage cost controls, coordinate subcontractor work, handle permits, and ensure quality assurance from project start to finish. 
• Some required skills:
  • Well completion methodology
  • Data analysis
  • SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Systems
  • Management of hydraulic and pneumatic systems
  • Piping design and installation

3. Reservoir Engineer

• Median salary (CAD):  $110,929/year
• Job description: Reservoir engineers estimate the amount of oil and gas that can be recovered from reservoirs and monitor operations to ensure maximal recovery of oil and gas. To perform this responsibility, they analyze fluid properties, analyze geological data, and perform reservoir characterization for oil and gas extraction. They also work closely with geoscientists and production engineers to design and implement reservoir management plans.
• Some required skills: 
  • Material balance analysis
  • Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA)
  • Reservoir surveillance and production performance monitoring
  • Decline curve analysis
  • Enhanced oil recovery

4. Drilling Engineer 

• Median salary (CAD):  $111,552/year
• Job description: Drilling engineers collaborate with reservoir engineers, geologists, and geophysicists to plan optimal well locations and select suitable drilling equipment based on geological and operational constraints. They supervise on-site drilling activities, ensuring compliance with safety procedures and regulations.  To maximize productivity and minimize costs, drilling engineers optimize drilling processes by recommending technical improvements and new techniques. They manage and resolve issues such as formation stability and mechanical complications while mitigating risks to worker safety and the environment.
• Some required skills: 
  • Cost estimates
  • Scoping development
  • Well design
  • HAZOP analysis
  • Operational risk assessment

5. Production Engineer 

• Median salary (CAD): $82,708/year
• Job description: Production engineers manage wells after drilling, ensuring efficient oil and gas production and identifying methods to enhance output when necessary. They work with exploration and drilling teams to create production plans, using data analysis to boost oil recovery. Overseeing drilling operations, they ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards and monitor well performance to address any issues.  
• Some required skills: 
  • Java
  • Process control
  • Six sigma methods
  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
  • Lifecyle management

There are more career paths in the oil and gas industry that engineers could explore beyond the ones covered in this article that are rewarding and enhance Canada’s reputation as a top energy producer. As the demand for oil and natural gas grows, so does the need for engineers with relevant educational backgrounds to meet the demand. The oil and gas industry not only promises competitive salaries but also a chance to be at the forefront of technological advancements and improvements in environmental protection.

NOTE: Please note that the job requirements for each highlighted career path may vary depending on the company that is offering opportunities for these career paths. Moreover, the salaries for these career paths depend on the city or province you are located in, educational attainment, and the companies’ stated salaries for these job opportunities.