In the oil and natural gas industry, there are critical stages between removing petroleum and gas from underground and making it available at the touch of a switch in homes, schools, and businesses. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers run the equipment that processes and refines crude petroleum, and they start the process of distributing the fuel by testing it, and feeding it into pipelines. Gas plant operators run compressor equipment along pipelines used by utility companies to distribute and process gas. They maintain the all-important specified pressures within the pipelines. Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators run the equipment that transmits and pressurizes gases such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas. Parts of their work locations may be temperature controlled, but cold outdoor facilities and hot plants filled with noisy machinery are the norm for these workers. Hazardous conditions and extreme temperatures mean they wear protective gear much of the time. Work schedules are typically at least 40 hours per week, and longer hours are common. It’s typically very physical, exhausting work, although staying safe and effective is essential even when stamina is running thin. Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, and earning professional certifications may be helpful for job seekers in this field.
What they do:
Operate steam-, gas-, electric motor-, or internal combustion-engine driven compressors. Transmit, compress, or recover gases, such as butane, nitrogen, hydrogen, and natural gas.
On the job, you would:
Monitor meters and pressure gauges to determine consumption rate variations, temperatures, and pressures.
Respond to problems by adjusting control room equipment or instructing other personnel to adjust equipment at problem locations or in other control areas.
Record instrument readings and operational changes in operating logs.
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
computers and electronics
Business
management
customer service
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady
Controlled Movement
use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
see hidden patterns
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Attention to Detail
Persistence
Achievement/Effort
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Facilities management software
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
high school diploma/GED or associate's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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