Petroleum engineering technologists work in a wide range of circumstances in oil and gas production and reservoir analysis. They work for:
- Exploration, geological, and geophysical companies
- Oil, gas, and resource companies
- Engineering consulting firms
- Petroleum service companies
- Government departments and regulatory bodies
Most major employers are located in western Canada, but jobs are available worldwide.
When starting out, junior technologists may be posted to a field operation to get experience before moving into the office. Others start in offices immediately following their post-secondary schooling. With experience, they can move into team leadership, supervisory, or management positions.
Petroleum engineering technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2212: Geological and mineral technologists and technicians. In Alberta, 82% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- Location in Alberta
- Employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- Occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- Size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 2212: Geological and mineral technologists and technicians occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.