Seismic Line Cutter
Seismic line cutters cut and remove trees and other vegetation to clear the way for seismic lines, pipelines or power lines.
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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
Starting | $22.56 |
---|---|
Overall | $26.07 |
Top | $30.69 |
Interest in comparing information to handle, sort and move drill tools, pipes, cement and other materials, and to clean up rig areas; may drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment
Interest in operating equipment to manipulate sections of pipes and drill stems at rig floors during drilling and for removal and replacement of strings of pipes, drill stems and bits
Interest in maintaining drilling equipment on drill floors
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Seismic line cutters work on line construction crews. Using chainsaws, they cut and remove trees and other vegetation to clear a path for other seismic crews such as surveyors, drillers and helpers (jughounds). They must follow strict guidelines to limit environmental impact, such as:
The size of a seismic line cutting crew varies with the nature of the job. Crews usually consist of a team of specialists.
Packers or helpers are entry-level crew members who are learning the role of bucker. In general, they:
Buckers follow the instructions given by the crew faller. In general, they:
Fallers operate chainsaws to clear lines for larger equipment to follow. They are responsible for the safe operation and productivity of the line construction crew. In general, fallers:
Crews work outdoors in remote locations. They may have to stay in hotels, motels or camps when away from home for extended periods. They may be exposed to extreme weather, dirt, dust, mud, noise and fumes. Heavy lifting of items weighing up to 20 kilograms often is required.
To avoid injury, seismic line cutters must wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Seismic line construction crews typically work 10 to 12 hours a day on rotation. Work is seasonal and overtime is common.
Seismic line cutters need to have the following characteristics:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work, being physically active and operating and maintaining equipment.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 14 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 26, 2020 and Apr 16, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
Personal Suitability: Team player | 13 |
---|---|
Handle, sort and move drill pipes, tools, cement and other materials | 9 |
Drive trucks to transport materials and well service equipment | 9 |
Clean up rig areas | 9 |
Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs and service equipment | 9 |
Write daily basic progress reports | 8 |
Manipulate sections of pipes or drill stems at rig floor during drilling and during removal and replacement of pipes, drill stems and drill bits | 8 |
Assist other workers to maintain drilling equipment on drill floor | 8 |
Area of Specialization: Forklift | 1 |
Clean machines and immediate work areas | 1 |
There are no minimum education requirements for entry-level seismic line cutting crew positions. Packers are trained on the job. Employers generally prefer to hire job applicants who have a high school diploma, Class 3 driver's licence with Q endorsement and experience with:
Employers also sponsor safety training related to job duties:
To advance from packer to bucker, and bucker to faller, workers must complete the required amount of work experience in addition to the appropriate level of the Chainsaw Faller Competency Program offered at Enform in Calgary and Nisku (near Edmonton).
Advancement to more senior positions generally requires additional work experience or post-secondary training in heavy equipment operation.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Seismic line cutters are employed by:
Employment may be seasonal.
Seismic line clearing crew members start as packers and progress to buckers and fallers. With additional training, fallers may advance to faller tutors.
Seismic line cutters are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8615: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers. In Alberta, 80% 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:
In Alberta, the 8615: Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 59 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
In 2014, the Petroleum Labour Market Information (PetroLMI) Division of Enform (formerly the Petroleum Human Resources Council) indicated that more than 20% of the workforce in the oil and gas industry is eligible for retirement, contributing to the labour demand required to support the industry.
Members of line cutting or line clearing crews may be paid an hourly wage or paid by the metre of land cleared. Most employers cover all accommodation costs while the employee is working and a daily living allowance (or hotshot) of $40-$50 per day is paid to each employee to cover food expenses.
Packers and buckers generally start at $15 an hour, and fallers start at $18 an hour (2016 estimate).
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $15.00 | $34.62 | $22.56 | $20.00 |
Overall | $17.00 | $40.38 | $26.07 | $25.00 |
Top | $21.00 | $47.12 | $30.69 | $27.74 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Oil & Gas Extraction | $55,267 |
---|---|
ALL INDUSTRIES | $50,914 |
Transportation and Warehousing | $50,005 |
Construction | $49,066 |
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $35,337 |
Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractor website: www.cagc.ca
Careers in Oil + Gas website: www.careersinoilandgas.com
Enform website: www.enform.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 24, 2016. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.