Oil and Gas Industry Technician

The Job and What's Involved

Technicians in the oil and gas extraction industry play an important part in the production of oil and gas and in maintaining the systems used in the extraction processes. They work as either process operation technicians or maintenance technicians.

Process operation technicians work under supervision to produce, process and deliver oil or gas. They start up, control, monitor and shut down oil and gas production processes. They do this both manually and by using computerised distribution control systems. They maintain safe operations and make sure that all the production systems are operating efficiently to maximise the production of oil and gas.

Maintenance technicians keep the mechanical, electrical, instrument and control systems in good repair. They can work as:

Mechanical technicians - responsible for valves, pumps and transmission systems, diesel engines and gas turbines.

Electrical technicians - responsible for high-voltage power generation and distribution systems, motors, control systems and electrical equipment specially designed for use in offshore environments.

Instrument and control technicians - responsible for regulating and maintaining measurement systems for oil and gas flow, level, pressure and temperature. They also look after electronic and pneumatic process control systems, fire and gas detection systems and analysers.

Technicians work in closely-knit teams. Some technicians become multiskilled in two or more of the above areas.

Oil and gas technicians work either offshore or at an onshore terminal. The offshore working pattern is normally 12 hours on and 12 hours off continuously for two weeks, followed by two or three weeks' leave ashore. Onshore technicians normally work 37 hours a week from Monday to Friday.

Working offshore is demanding. Work takes place in all weather conditions and can be wet, cold and noisy. Technicians need to wear protective clothing, such as overalls, gloves, goggles and a hard hat.

When offshore, technicians share their living quarters with colleagues (between 30 and 200 other men and women, depending on the location). There are usually two people to each cabin.

Newly-qualified technicians working offshore may earn around £35,000 a year.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

The oil and gas extraction industry employs around 20,000 people on about 200 UK offshore installations and a further 300,000 people onshore. The number of oil and gas industry technicians has increased in recent years and there is a strong demand for them.

There are around 6,000 employers in the UK oil and gas industry. They include:

Operating companies - usually major oil companies that operate production platforms.

Drilling companies - contracted to do the drilling work.

Service companies - for example, seismic exploration firms, diving companies, drilling mud suppliers, cementing companies and well-testing specialists.

Jobs for technicians in the UK are mainly located in the North East of Scotland, East Anglia, Humberside and the Liverpool Bay area.

Job vacancies are advertised in local newspapers and in Jobcentre Plus offices. They are also advertised on websites such as www.oilcareers.com, www.joboil.com and www.monster.co.uk.

Education and Training

Entry to this work is through an Apprenticeship known as the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training Programme that is run by the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board. On completion, they are awarded with a Higher National Certificate and an NVQ/SVQ Level 3. Application forms can be obtained from www.oilandgastechnicians.com.

Applicants to the training programme normally need one of the following:

• At least four GCSE's (A-C) including English, maths and one subject from physics, chemistry, double science or technological studies.
• Those who do not have a science subject require at least four GCSE's, including maths at grade A and English and two other subjects at grades A to C.
• At least four S grades (1-3) including maths and English, and one from physics, chemistry or technological studies, plus one other subject.

Entrants to the training programme must be at least 16.5 years of age, so that they are old enough to take part in offshore training at 18.

Some people enter the training programme after completing a full-time course. Relevant courses include A levels, BTEC national awards and SQA national units in chemistry or engineering.

Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships provide structured training with an employer. As an apprentice you must be paid at least £95 per week; you may well be paid more. A recent survey found that the average wage for apprentices was £170 a week. Your pay will depend on the sector in which you work, your age, the area where you live and the stage at which you have arrived in the Apprenticeship.

Entry to Employment (e2e) can help to prepare those who are not yet ready for an Apprenticeship. In addition, Young Apprenticeships may be available for 14- to 16-year-olds. More information is available from a Connexions personal adviser or at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk, Careers Wales www.careerswales.com or Careers Service Northern Ireland www.careersserviceni.com.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

Entrants to the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry Technician Training Programme begin by attending a college or training centre in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Middlesbrough for up to 18 months. During this time they work for:

NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations.

SQA National Certificate in Multidisciplinary Engineering.

Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Process Control or Process Operations.

They then spend about two years of on-the-job training, either at an offshore installation or at a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit. Some have a placement at an onshore refinery, for example, St Fergus (Aberdeen), Mossmorran (Kirkcaldy) or Bacton (Great Yarmouth).

Before beginning any offshore training an offshore survival course is undertaken. This covers helicopter safety and underwater escape, emergency breathing systems, first aid and fire fighting.

Technicians are expected to work towards gaining an NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance or Processing Operations: Hydrocarbons.

Technicians are also encouraged to become registered engineering technicians. To achieve this they need:

• An appropriate qualification, such as an NVQ/SVQ Level 3, BTEC national certificate or diploma, or an SQA national qualification at level six in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.
• Work experience, including suitable further training and development, so they can demonstrate required competences.
• To pass a professional review.
• To be a member of a relevant professional engineering body, for example, the Energy Institute or Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).