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Process Operator / Refinery and Upgrader Process Operator Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Process Operator / Refinery and Upgrader Process Operator work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Process Operator / Refinery and Upgrader Process Operator. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Process Operator / Refinery and Upgrader Process Operator click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Energy Production

Process Operator / Refinery and Upgrader Process Operator

work indoors

Refinery and upgrader process operators are responsible for the day to day operations of oil refineries and upgraders.

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; Science; English; Physical Education; Chemistry;

  • Field of StudyDetails

    New employees usually take in-house training courses and learn on the job by working with other operators.

    Experienced process operators may advance to supervisory positions or move into related positions in:

    • Pulp mills.
    • Water treatment plants.
    • Petrochemical plants.
    • Food and beverage plants.
    • Hospitals.
    • Fertilizer plants.
    • Power generation facilities.
  • DutiesDetails

    Oil or oil sand (bitumen) that comes directly out of the ground must go through a number of steps in the field and at the refinery before it can be used.

    Here is an overview of the steps involved:

    • Step 1: In the field.
      • Raw oil (or oil sand) is treated to prepare it to move down major pipelines and sent to upgraders.
    • Step 2: At upgraders.
      • The oil (or oil sand) is cleaned to remove impurities so that it can be used by a refinery.
    • Step 3: At refineries.
      • The product is cleaned further so it can be separated into gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, light and heavy fuel oils, jet fuel, greases, lubricating oil, waxes, and asphalt.

    There are many different categories and positions for refinery and upgrader process operators. They may do many different jobs for different companies.

    In general, however, refinery and upgrader process operators:

    • Check equipment regularly.
    • Check systems and processes regularly.
    • Prepare equipment for safe maintenance work.
    • Respond to problems and emergency situations.
    • Record readings using pen and paper and/or a computer.
    • Make adjustments on equipment and note possible problems.
    • Take samples of oil, gas, or water.
    • Conduct basic chemical tests.
    • Ensure safe operations.
    • Wipe up oil spills, sweep floors, keep work area clean.

    Some refinery and upgrader process operators are control room operators:

    • Monitor process indicators.
    • Ensure safety and environmental regulations are being followed.
    • Monitor alarms about the operation of each unit in their section.
    • Make necessary changes and adjustments to flows, temperatures, pressures, or levels to ensure safe and efficient plant operation.
    • Work with special types of technical equipment.
    • Work with computerized, automated control systems.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Refineries or plants.
    • Outdoors
      • Work in all kinds of weather.
      • Lots of walking.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours: may be able to choose which shift in a 24 hour rotation.
    • Regular Work Schedule 8 hour or 12 hour shifts.
    • May need to work night shifts.
    • May work odd shifts.
    • Half of shift may be spent outdoors.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Able to work odd shifts.
    • Able to stay awake and alert during night shifts.
    • Able to think and learn quickly.
    • Interest in working with massive systems.
    • Interest in working with complex machines.
    • Strong, flexible.
    • Able to lift 25 kilograms to shoulder height.
    • Able to work at heights.
    • Able to work in small, confined spaces.
    • Able to work with self-contained breathing apparatus.
    • Able to solve problems.
    • Able to make decisions.
    • Works well with others.
    • Able communicate well and give clear directions in emergency situations.
    • Enjoy working with equipment, instruments, and machinery.
    • Enjoy figuring out information to solve problems.
  • EducationDetails

    You must have a grade 12 diploma + training in power engineering or process operations.

    • Some employers want you have.
    • 2 year diploma in chemical or petroleum engineering technology.
    • Related course work is helpful.
    • Work experience with machines or electrical equipment is helpful.

    Employers may want you to have these certificates:

    • Petroleum Safety Training (PST).
    • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
    • Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness (H2S).
    • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG).
    • Confined Space Entry.
    • First Aid.

    Before starting school, you should talk to employers to find out what they need new employees to have for courses and/or work experience.

  • Programs OfferedDetails

    The following Alberta post-secondary institutions offer programs related to process operations:

    • Keyano College in Clearwater offers a two year Process Operations Co-op certificate program that includes Fourth Class Power Engineering, Process Operations and Third Class Power Engineering (Part A) certification, and paid work experience. The entrance requirement is a high school diploma with Grade 11 English, math, and physics, or equivalent.
    • Lakeland College in Lloydminster offers a one year Heavy Oil Operations Technician certificate program. The entrance requirement at least 50 per cent in Grade 12 English, Pure Math 30 (or 65 per cent in Applied Math 30 or equivalent), and one of the following: Physics 20, Chemistry 20, or 65 per cent in Science 20.
    • The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers two year Chemical Engineering Technology and Petroleum Engineering Technology diploma programs. The entrance requirements for both programs include English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30, and one of the following: Science 30, Chemistry 30, or Physics 30. Both programs are nationally accredited.
    • The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers two year Chemical Engineering Technology and Petroleum Engineering Technology diploma programs. Entrance requirements for the Chemical Engineering Technology program include a high school diploma with English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30 or Math 31 (or 70 per cent in Applied Math 30), Chemistry 30, and either Science 30 or Physics 20. Entrance requirements for the Petroleum Engineering Technology program include a high school diploma with at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2, Pure Math 30 (or 75 per cent in Applied Math 30), Chemistry 30, and either Science 30 or Physics 20. SAIT also offers a two year after-diploma Bachelor of Applied Petroleum Engineering Technology degree program and a one year Power and Process Operations certificate program that includes a four week practicum. SAIT Continuing Education offers a Distributed Control Systems and Safety Instrumented Systems program.

    Continuing education programs may be offered on an as needed basis.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements, and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Refinery worker.
    • Management or supervisory positions.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

    Industries/Businesses employing people in this trade include:

    • Mining.
    • Oil and Gas Extraction.
    • Manufacturing.
    • Transportation and Warehousing.
  • SalaryDetails

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Process Operators occupational group earned from $29.02 to $43.63 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $38.38 an hour. Salary ranges for refinery/upgrader operators are generally at the lower end of this range.

  • Other SourcesDetails