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 | $31.09 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $39.89 |
| Top | $55.41 |
Interest in controlling the operations of drilling and service rig drilling and hoisting machinery
Interest in speaking with members of rig crew to direct them in setting up rigs, drilling and completing and servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells
Interest in compiling information to maintain records of drilling and servicing operations
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.
Interest in driving trucks to well sites and in operating systems to pump chemicals, gases, sand, cement and other materials into wells
Interest in monitoring pressure, density, rate and concentration during pumping operations
Interest in copying information to read gauges to interpret conditions and adjust pumping procedures; may mix chemicals and cement
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.
Snubbing services are specialized oil and gas well maintenance functions that require working with a well under pressure. They include:
In Alberta, this is a designated occupation with the following six levels:
Assistant operator is an entry level position. Assistant operators provide support and assist with pre and post job snubbing operations.
An Operator 1 works in well environments where the shut in pressure is less than 10 MPa and the wellbore gas or fluid is sweet. Snubbing services involve single zone (producing section or formation of a well) work overs and completions, including jobs where the tubing can be moved through the well without staging couplings or tool joints.
An Operator 2 works in more complex medium pressure well environments that are sweet or sour, where the shut in pressure is between 10 and 21 MPa. Snubbing services involve sand cleanouts, lubricating, fishing, multi zone or dual string completions.
An Operator 3 works in even more complex high pressure well environments. The gas or fluid may be sweet, sour or critical sour. At this level, operators can work on wells with a shut in pressure greater than 21 MPa. Snubbing services may involve operations using multiple blow out preventers.
A Supervisor 1 oversees operations in medium pressure well environments, sweet or sour, with shut in pressure less than 21 MPa. Level 1 supervisors manage wellsite performance and ensure a healthy and safe work environment while following industry practices and implementing environmental policies.
A Supervisor 2 oversees operations in high pressure (greater than 21 MPa) well environments that may include critical sour gas and fluids. Level 2 supervisors are responsible for the snubbing crew, management of wellsite performance and worksite safety.
Snubbing services are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Work is primarily outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. The work environment around a well site can be noisy and dirty.
Safety is very important in this occupation because the work is performed on wells that are under pressure and may contain hydrogen sulphide. The work is physically demanding and involves handling tools and equipment that weigh up to 25 kilograms.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy operating machinery and complex equipment, having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and solving problems.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors are trained on the job. There are no standard education requirements but employers generally prefer to hire high school graduates or people who have related training or experience.
This is a designated occupation in Alberta which means that certification is not required but trainees can apply to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training for an Alberta Occupational Certificate. To qualify, applicants must have completed Enform's petroleum competency program.
Enform, located in Calgary and Nisku (near Edmonton), offers courses for those employed in the oil and gas industry.
To access and work in the oil and gas industry, employees must complete the Enform Electronic General Safety Orientation (eGSO) course. Some employers may provide this training in-house.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
This is a designated occupation. For full details, see the Snubbing Services Operators and Supervisors certification profile.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors insert and remove drill pipe, tubing and specialized equipment into and from oil and gas wells when blowout preventers are closed to contain well pressure. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
In Alberta, government-legislated certification is available for snubbing services operators and supervisors.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Snubbing services operators and supervisors are employed by contractors in the upstream petroleum industry. Newly hired individuals usually start in the entry level position of assistant operator. With experience, they may become operators at a higher level and advance to supervisor positions.
Certified Alberta snubbing services supervisors who have the supervisory and management competencies required by industry may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting an Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training office.
Snubbing services operators and supervisors are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 8412: Oil and gas well drilling workers and services operators. In Alberta, 80% of people employed in this classification work in the Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 22,000 Albertans are employed in the Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.7% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 154 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As snubbing services operators and supervisors form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for snubbing services operators and supervisors.
Over 6,200 Albertans are employed in the Oil and gas well drilling workers and services operators occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.6% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 37 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As snubbing services operators and supervisors form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for snubbing services operators and supervisors.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Incomes for snubbing services operators and supervisors range from $60,000 a year to $180,000 a year (2014 estimates).
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $42.00 | $31.09 | $28.37 |
| Overall | $20.17 | $56.00 | $39.89 | $42.00 |
| Top | $21.92 | $92.86 | $55.41 | $51.28 |
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* 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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $81,684 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $79,584 |
| Construction | $71,206 |
| Manufacturing | $51,093 |
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $50.51 | $31.82 | $30.01 |
| Overall | $20.95 | $55.00 | $36.52 | $36.00 |
| Top | $26.00 | $75.96 | $43.02 | $41.50 |
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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $90,799 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $75,145 |
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $72,572 |
| Construction | $64,005 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Enform (formerly Petroleum Industry Training Service and Canadian Petroleum Safety Council) website: www.enform.ca
Petroleum Human Resources (PHR), Careers in Oil & Gas (COG) website: www.careersinoilandgas.com
Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) website: www.psac.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2015. 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.