Well Site Geologist Profile Final Copy

WELLSITE GEOLOGIST ... ON THE JOB:
OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE
Selena Brown
WELLSITE
GEOLOGIST
(NOC 2113)
Q:!WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A
GEOLOGIST?
In oil and gas, Geologists apply
I originally went into engineering in university
but switched when I saw one of my friends
studying geology. I realized I was more
interested in that subject matter than my own.
their knowledge of the earth's crust in
exploring for minerals and
hydrocarbons. Wellsite geologists
work closely with drilling crews in the
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT
WORKING AS A WELLSITE
GEOLOGIST?
I like being in the country and not needing to
drive in city traffic every day. We do work 12
hours days but the time goes by quickly and
when you are done your shift or on days off the work itself does not follow you home. I have
been on quite a few different sites and had the chance to work with lots of different people,
all have been great.
Q:!WHAT KIND OF HOURS DO YOU WORK?
This is definitely not a Monday to Friday 9-5 type job. You work either the day or the night
shift and the shifts themselves are 12 hours long. The number of days you are working on a
site also varies greatly. You can be on site anywhere from a week to three weeks at a time.
There are also busy seasons and not so busy seasons all depending on when the rig is up
and running. A great benefit is that you have lots of freedom on your days off and have lots
of time to go on trips and travel.
Q: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO EXCEL AS A WELLSITE GEOLOGIST?
You have to be self-motivated because you do not have someone looking over your
shoulder. You also need to be organized and be able to pay attention to detail so you can
send reports off on time and without any mistakes. You have to work closely with a variety of
personalities so having good interpersonal skills is also very beneficial.
Q: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
My favourite part of the job is getting to drive to new locations and getting to see different
parts of Alberta I have never seen before.
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE THINKING OF BECOMING A
WELLSITE GEOLOGIST?
If you already know you have an interest in geology, specifically sedimentary geology, and
don’t want a typical office setting then wellsite geology is a great option for you.
field to help ensure that wells penetrate
target zones and coring samples are
taken at required intervals.
HOURLY WAGES
For full-time and part-time workers*
Numbers are for all geologists in Alberta. Well site
geologists tend to make more than the average geologist.
Geologist (NOC 6262)
AVERAGE
SALARY
(For Oil and Gas Extraction
Geologists)
Low
High
Average
Median
Starting
$23.43
$89.59
$50.28
$46.63
Overall
$28.45
$92.95
$56.11
$53.94
Top
$34.34
$102.40
$66.94
$68.42
*Source: 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey.
$134,524.00
EDUCATIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
Registration as a Professional Geologist
requires: (1) an approved four year
bachelor's degree in geology and at least
four years of acceptable work experience
under the supervision of a Professional
Geologist, or an equivalent combination
of education and experience, (2) at least
three acceptable references, and (3)
successful completion of an approved
examination in law, ethics and
professionalism. For official, detailed
information about registration
requirements, visit APEGA's website
http://www.Apega.com, contact APEGA
by email at email@apega.ca or phone at
1-800-661-7020.
LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
JOB TIPS
• Very few people in this role work directly for oil or gas companies; most are
employed on a contracting basis for specialist consultancies who supply wellsite
geologists when required. They mainly employ independent consultants on a
daily rate, so wellsite geologists are actually self-employed and, therefore,
responsible for meeting their own training and insurance costs.
• The minimum education requirement for geologists is a Bachelor of Science
(B.Sc.) degree in geology. The following schools in Alberta offer programs and
courses that meet the occupation’s educational requirements.
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- Mount Royal University
Reading
Basic&
Document use
Writing
• A wellsite geologist’s work is based entirely on-site. This means it is likely they will live
and work in remote areas. It is unique because many geologist working in other areas
will work in an office environment.
• Physical requirements for geologists vary greatly depending on the nature of the work.
Geologists working in laboratories may do little or no significant lifting; those collecting
samples in the field may be required to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms. Collecting
samples also may involve covering considerable distances on foot.
Source: Government of Alberta ALIS
1
Basic&
SKILLS SHORTAGE
WORKING CONDITIONS
1
Basic&
Numeracy
Source: Government of Alberta ALIS OCCinfo
1
Basic&
Source: Government of Alberta ALIS OCCinfo and Graduate Prospects Ltd. http://
www.prospects.ac.uk/wellsite_geologist_job_description.htm
• Currently there are over 5,400 Albertans employed in the
Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists occupational
group which is expected to have an annual below average
growth of 0.7 per cent from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta. It is
forecasted that about 38 new positions will be created
each year in addition to job openings created by
employment turnover. (Note: Since geologists form only a
part of the larger occupational group on which this
forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions
created will be for geologists and an even smaller portion
of that wellsite geologists).
• As the baby boomer generation begins to retire it is
predicted there will be a greater need for geologists to fill
these positions in the future.
1
Oral communication
1
Basic&
Thinking
1
Basic&
Digital Technology
1
Basic&
2
3
4
Intermediate
2
3
4
Intermediate
2
3
4
Intermediate
2
3
4
Intermediate
2
3
3
4
3
5
Advanced
5
Advanced
5
5
Advanced
4
Intermediate
2
Advanced
Advanced
Intermediate
2
5
4
Intermediate
5
• Read e-mail and letters from co-workers,
colleagues and clients
• Read safety information.
• Locate data in forms. They identify rock types and
fatigue indicators in sample analysis reports.
• Enter data into various forms..
• Write field notes such as progress notes to record
their observations and conversations with team
members during field work.
• Write reports.
• Calculate dimensions of geological formations and
structures.
• Measure geological features using specialized
instruments.
• Discuss ongoing work with contractors, clients and
representatives from governments and community
groups.
• Discuss projects with co-workers and colleagues
• Discover testing equipment is malfunctioning
• Assess validity and completeness of test results
Advanced
5
Advanced
• Use spreadsheets to organize and analyze data
collected during research projects
• Use graphic software.
OTHER INFORMATION
• In order to excel as a wellsite geologist one needs to be have good people skills, an aptitude
for mathematics and science, excellent decision-making skills, be able to show attention to
detail, an ability to visualize three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings, strong
writing skills and the ability to work well in a team environment.
• In general wellsite geologists collect and interpret rock samples and drill cores and classify
rocks and minerals.
• During the various stages of their work, geologists use a wide variety of instruments such
as hammers, diamond drills, geopositioning devices, gravity meters, microscopes, spectroscopes
and x-ray diffraction equipment. They work with computers, both in the field and in the office.
• They need to be familiar with geographical information systems (GIS) and the fundamentals of
science (chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics) and business (accounting, economics).
Source: Government of Canada Canada.gc.ca