There are some downsides to our dependence on oil and gas but there are sure are lots of jobs. Is oil & gas production a good career path? That’s what we’ll cover in this post. But first, our civilization is based on the use of fossil fuels. It’s been a reliable source of energy for centuries, but it’s not a perfect source of energy.

The first is that fossil fuel production may be harmful to nature. The oil and gas sector may pollute the environment and destroy habitats, and the usage of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases that harm the atmosphere.

Besides that, the gas and oil industry is massive and infamous for its volatility. Commodity prices can vary greatly, which makes it hard for companies to prepare for future demand.

In spite of all these drawbacks, many people decide to work in the gas and oil business. The reality is that by pursuing a career in this field you are lucky to have chosen this industry. There’s a lot of money that can be gained in this industry if you have the necessary skills and expertise.

But there’s another side to the coin: will you be able to get enough work down the road? We’re working hard to move away from fossil fuels (despite the fact that oil is utilized in practically everything we consume), so the sector may not be as appealing in the decades to come.

This article will teach you a few tips on the pros and cons of working in the gas and oil industry. We’ll try to be as straightforward as possible, but keep in mind that this is a very closely regulated industry wherein anything might still change at any time.

Reasons Oil And Gas Production Is A Good Career Path

Let’s begin by addressing the most common inquiry. This industry is troublesome with a great likelihood to shrink massively in the years to come. It has also become the object of great hatred for many. Besides that, granting that this Industry still had a promising future, it is not the best field. It is considered dirty work.

If you work on oil rigs, things aren’t exactly enjoyable, and the hours are long. You’ll be gone from home for months, stationed in extremely isolated (and perilous) locations on the planet. Granting nothing strange occurs to you, you will still be breathing in dangerous substances all throughout day and night.

Therefore, what’s the point? Here are a few reasons.

Some Advantages of Working in Oil & Gas Industry

Listed below are the key benefits of working in the gas and oil industry:

Money

Gas and oil companies usually tend to be very lucrative and this is no secret. They generate a lot of profit, and it frequently filters all the way down to even the lowest-ranked employees. This field is definitely worth exploring if you’re seeking high-paying employment. Another reason this sector is so profitable is that only a handful of people are interested to work in it. The supply outnumbers the demand because the task is frequently demanding, hazardous, and filthy.

The Skills

In terms of skills, what you learn in the gas and oil industry, you can also apply to other job industries. For example, if you’re into geology, your skills would be applicable to mining. If you are an engineer, you can also be employed in the manufacturing or construction industry. The main point is, that the skillset you develop in the oil and gas industry are valuable, and can help open up opportunities in other industries.

Adventure

Gas and oil is the route to go if you want to work in this interesting. It is a fast-paced sector with numerous travel opportunities. In fact, you will most likely go across the country. You might end up working on rigs all around the world. Beyond this, you might also come into contact with numerous different people working in different areas of the oil and gas industry, as well as other industries. From them, you will be exposed to new ideas and practices, meaning you will be continuously learning. For example, if your oil or gas infrastructure utilizes the services of well testing companies, you may have the opportunity to learn new well exploration techniques and how to make energy infrastructure more environmentally viable. 

Opportunities

Change is always happening in the oil and gas industry. That means that there are numerous opportunities for progress at work. If you are able to work diligently, you might quickly rise up the ranks.

An oil and gas career is not for everybody. Before you make a decision, it is critical to carefully assess the benefits and drawbacks. In the succeeding part, we’ll take a good look at some of the disadvantages of being an employee or expert in this industry.

Some Disadvantages of Working In This Industry

Working in the gas and oil business has several disadvantages. In actuality, many people think that these are not worth the sacrifices and effort for the vast majority of people, which answers the question of why there is a labor shortage in the business. Here are the disadvantages of this industry:

Instability

As previously, gas and oil production is well-known to be an insecure industry. These commodities’ prices change continuously, making it hard for businesses to prepare for future needs. Job losses are common as a result of this insecurity. When oil and gas prices fall, the first order of business for oil and gas corporations is to let go of employees. This might cause you to lose your job unexpectedly, and finding work in this industry can be tough if you do not have contacts.

Hard, Physical Work

Working in this industry is really difficult. As previously, you are expected to work long hours in challenging and hazardous situations. It might be difficult to adjust if you aren’t accustomed to this type of job. You’ll also be away from home for months, which might be difficult for your privatel life.

Health Dangers

One of the additional disadvantages of being in this business is the risk to one’s health. You will be in contact with harmful toxins in the industry, which will cause respiratory and other disorders.

Damaging To The Environment

If you worry too much about climate change, the gas and oil industry is definitely not the one for you, because it is not environmentally friendly. After all, if you work in this industry, you are deemed to be contributing directly to the problem. Furthermore, governments may fire you by simply signing a single document. Certainly not a pleasant prospect.

That’s all there is to it. These are a few advantages and disadvantages of being in the oil and gas business. Before selecting a job option, it is critical to thoroughly analyze all of these aspects.

What type of employment can you undertake if you make a decision this is indeed the correct career route for you? And how exactly do you get in?

Oil And Gas Positions

This industry offers a variety of work opportunities. Besides that, many will necessitate a higher level of specialized training and/or education, while others will not.

In Canada, Alberta is the largest oil and gas producer. About 80% of Canada’s total oil production comes from Alberta. In Canada, there are many opportunities for jobs in the oil and gas sector in Alberta.

Roustabout

Furthermore, roustabout workers do a lot of manual labor such as equipment maintenance, cleaning, carrying supplies, and supporting other co-workers.

You will essentially be a labored grunt, but it’s a terrific way to get exposure in the industry. Furthermore, if you show that you are a hard-working person, you could get a promotion to a better position.

Despite the fact that it is entry-level work, it is extremely fulfilling. The average annual salary for a roustabout is around $44,730. It beats working for a pittance at McDonald’s.

Rotary Drill Operator

The rotary drill operator is one of the most frequent entry-level jobs in the industry. It is also known as a “roughneck.” A rotary drill operator is in charge of operating the machinery that drills holes to create gas and oil wells.

The unexpected part of this industrial occupation is that, while the government, for example, may close your drilling site, your company can still move you to other assignments or areas. In actuality, the majority of rotary drill operators are employed in the mining industry rather than the oil and gas industry. As a rotary drill operator, you can be sure to never run out of work. A mining rotary drill operator, on the other hand, makes $5 less for every hour than a comparable employee in the gas and oil business. This misalignment results in an annual salary disparity of more than $10,000.

Geologist

A geologist studies the earth’s surface to understand the history of our planet. They have searched for areas abundant in oil and minerals, this can help pinpoint the places where drilling can take place. However, you will also need a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology if you want to become a mining geologist.

As a geologist in the gas and oil business, your everyday job will include field work such as site visits to drilling sites), writing reports, and office work such as data analysis.

A geologist’s annual income is around $83,860, which is considered as one of the best-paying positions in the business. However, precise pay information is difficult to confirm. In its calculations, the government branch in charge of keeping information on job pay, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, takes into account all types of geologists. As a result, the genuine figure is most likely smaller.

With their skillset, it’s easy for geologists to change paths and work in industries aside from the oil and gas industry. So, you will always be able to find work, even if the oil and gas industry declines.

Petroleum Engineers

You have to be a petroleum engineer if one of your career goals it to make a lot of money. Petroleum engineers devise strategies for obtaining gas and oil from resources deep beneath the earth’s crust. They also discover novel techniques for extracting these precious resources, while also finding ways to improve existing ones.

To become a petroleum engineer, you must have at least bachelors or a masters degree in engineering. But, typically, a master’s degree or above is preferred.

You’ll be in charge of a variety of critical tasks, such as developing computer learning models to determine the best approach to producing oil and gas, supervising drilling activities, and field testing brand new tools and equipment.

The average annual pay for an average petroleum engineer is around $130,850. The highest paid in this industry earn more than $186,000 each year. Don’t be persuaded by the climate change rules, either. Even if we go all-electric, we will continue to extract petroleum. This is due to the fact that we utilize oil and gas for so much more products and processes than just fueling our automobiles.

The Operator of a Petroleum Pump System

You’ll be in charge of maintaining and operating the equipment that extracts gas and oil from the wells as a petroleum pump operator. This is a very important position since it contributes to the smooth operation of the company.

To work pump operator in this industry, you must have at least a high school graduation, preferably with some pumping experience.

Someone operating the petroleum pump system earns an annual salary of $80,500 annually.

The Oil and Gas Industry’s Future

Entering the oil and gas industry does sound like gambling. After all, geologists are more concerned with today’s climate now than ever. That means the gas and oil industry is continuously declining, as well as slowly moving away from non-renewable fossil fuels and toward renewable sources of energy.

Is It an Ideal Time to Enter The Sector with So Much Uncertainty about Its Future? The Short Answer Is That It Depends.

If your career goal is to have good job security and high-paying jobs, then the gas and oil industry is an ideal choice. Jobs such as rotary drill operators and petroleum engineers are in high demand and most likely always be in demand, even when the industry is down. However, you can switch from gas and oil to mining for the main reason that we will probably never stop digging the earth for natural resources.

In this Industry, there are situations where it’s ideal if you are just looking for a temporary job to make money and then move on. For example, if you are not a recent college graduate searching for a career that can help you pay off your student loans, the oil and gas business is worth considering. Just keep in mind that it is a volatile profession and that you must have a strategy for what you want to do next.

Ending

For all those searching for a high-paying profession with solid job security, the oil and gas business is an excellent alternative. However, it is a highly unstable sector, so if you are searching for a long-term career, it’s best to explore another field. The future of gas and oil business is unknown, but it will almost certainly continue to play a part in our daily lives and routines, even if we shift toward renewable sources of energy. However, a time will probably come when there will be a very low demand for labor that it’s going to be hard to justify the cons of getting into the business.

Here, it’s up to you to decide if getting into the oil and gas industry will be the right career path for you. Keep in mind your job goals and the things that you want to attain. If working in the industry of oil and gas is your dream, then, by all means, have a go at it! Just remember to be wary of the dangers and always remember to have a backup plan.