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Wireline Operator: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like having the skills and precision for out-of-the-ordinary jobs? Are you comfortable with tools and machinery? Are you strong and able to work long hours? Then you may want to think about a career as a wireline operator.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Wireline Operator

Wireline operators raise and lower special downhole instruments and tools. They collect and process data from wireline operations.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

E-line Operations Supervisor

NOC Codes

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.

2006 NOC

  • 8232: Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers

2006 NOC-S

  • I132: Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers

2011 NOC

  • 8232: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

2016 NOC

  • 8232: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

2021 NOC

  • 83101: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

2023 OaSIS

  • 83101.02: Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Wireline operations take their name from the slender, flexible, metal cable used to lower special instruments into oil and gas wells. Different types of work require different types of wireline. For example, electric lines (or e-lines) have a braided outer line with a wire running through the middle. Protected from the often-harsh environment of a well, the wire conducts electricity from a mobile generator to power instruments attached to the end of the line. E-lines are used for operations such as production logging, perforating, and pipe recovery.

In general, wireline crews lower, operate, and raise instruments, tools, and equipment. This includes:

  • Sophisticated electrical logging equipment (e-line)
  • Perforating guns, which, when detonated, perforate well casing and permit oil and gas to flow into the well (generally e-line)
  • Downhole plugs
  • Fishing tools used to retrieve broken or lost wire or equipment.

They also:

  • Drive wireline trucks to and from drilling sites
  • Assemble and attach special instruments or tools required for each job
  • Operate a truck winch to lower and raise the instruments or tools
  • Consult supervisors and managers and coordinate their work with them

Wireline operators often work inside a mobile unit that houses complex computer equipment. From this unit, they lower, raise, and position instruments or tools. Data received during wireline operations is sent to e-line supervisors to interpret and process for permanent records. Precise and accurate direction of wireline operations is extremely important and involves a great deal of skill.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Wireline operators work outdoors and in mobile units in the field. Their work hours, job location, and travel requirements vary with the company and type of job. Long hours and extensive travel are common. In Alberta, some oil and gas wells are located near major centres or small communities. However, a growing number are in remote areas.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Wireline operators need:

  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Strength, stamina, and agility
  • An interest in working outdoors and in remote areas
  • The ability to visualize how an underground tool is functioning
  • The ability to work quickly, think ahead to the next procedure, and respond appropriately in emergency situations
  • The ability to get along with co-workers

They should enjoy solving problems and working with tools, instruments, equipment, and machinery.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

2016 NOC: 8232

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 83 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 04, 2021 and Jul 15, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Health benefits: Vision care benefits
Work Site Environment: Outdoors
Health benefits: Disability benefits
Construction Specialization: Dependability
Long term benefits: Life insurance
Hand-eye co-ordination
Construction Specialization: Team player
Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence
Health benefits: Health care plan 65
Health benefits: Dental plan 64
Health benefits: Vision care benefits 61
Work Site Environment: Outdoors 56
Health benefits: Disability benefits 53
Construction Specialization: Dependability 50
Long term benefits: Life insurance 50
Hand-eye co-ordination 49
Construction Specialization: Team player 48
Computer Systems: Valid driver's licence 48
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Minimum Education Varies

Wireline operators must:

  • Have an Alberta Class 3 driver’s licence and air brake certification
  • Be licensed by the provincial government to handle the types of explosives used in perforating activities (for more information, see the Blaster occupational profile)
  • Be certified in the transportation of dangerous goods (TDG)
  • Be trained in first aid

Employers most often provide in-house training for new employees, and ongoing courses for experienced workers. They may require employees to obtain certificates such as:

  • Petroleum Safety Training (PST)
  • Well Service Blowout Prevention
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness (H2S)

Wireline operators with a high school diploma and wellhead boom truck apprenticeship are more likely to be hired. For information about wellhead boom truck apprenticeship, see the Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator occupational profile.

It is possible to gain technical knowledge and advance more quickly by taking courses in different aspects of drilling or service operations. Energy Safety Canada (in Calgary and in Nisku, near Edmonton) provides training for drilling and service rig crews. They also offer pre-employment courses for those wanting more experience before working in the oil and gas industry. Although they are the industry’s safety association, other organizations also offer this training.

E-line operators need a working knowledge of electrical circuits and load calculations. Before they are qualified to run their own truck, new employees generally work with experienced e-line wireline operators and field engineers. They also take courses in physics, interpretation, software, safety, and general operating procedures. Trainees typically need 6 to 9 months before being ready to work without direct supervision.

Wireline field supervisors generally have a related 2-year diploma and 2 or 3 years of experience as wireline operators.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2020
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Wireline operators work for:

  • Companies that specialize in wireline activities
  • Oil field service companies that provide wireline services as part of their operation

Wireline operators may develop special expertise in areas such as electrical logging or perforating. Or they may move into field stations and work as mechanics. With further training, experienced wireline operators may advance to positions such as wireline field supervisor or station manager. Eventually they may move into senior management or do consulting work for wireline service companies.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 8232: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers occupational group, 79.0% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.
  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 8232: Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 2.4% from 2021 to 2025. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 486 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2020

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

2016 NOC: 8232
Average Wage
$40.40
Per Hour
Average Salary
$78,201.00
Per Year
Average Hours
41.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
10.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 8232 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

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.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $21.63 $50.30 $33.53 $30.00
Overall $27.33 $50.00 $40.40 $42.00
Top $28.00 $86.54 $57.67 $51.96

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.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
ALL INDUSTRIES $78,201
Oil & Gas Extraction $79,318
Construction $67,354

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
42%
42%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
40%
40%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
7%
7%
Vacancy Rate
4%
Related High School Subjects
  • Science
  • Natural Resources
    • Primary Resources
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2020

Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) website: caodc.ca

Careers in Oil + Gas website: www.careersinoilandgas.com

Energy Safety Canada website: www.energysafetycanada.com

Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC) website: www.explorersandproducers.ca

Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSAC) website: www.psac.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2020. 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.

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