If you are looking for an oil and gas production job, Canada could offer you a variety of lucrative opportunities. As the fifth-largest oil-producing and exporting country in the world, there is always a demand for more drillers, mud loggers, and engineers, among others, in the Far North. But where to look?
Canada is big with 13 provinces and territories. Fortunately, you can limit your job search to three provinces which are responsible for 97% of the country’s oil production. Ready to find out where to find the best oil and gas jobs in Canada? Keep reading.
Top 3 Oil Producing Provinces in Canada
There may be three major oil-producing provinces in Canada, but there are thousands of jobs in demand across the country. Finding a province where your occupation is in demand can help you narrow your job search and may even qualify you for a Provincial Nominee Program.
1. Alberta
The Canadian Prairie Province of Alberta ranks first as Canada’s largest oil producer and the world’s largest oil sands producer. Major oil fields can be found across the province in cities like Brooks, Medicine Hat, Caroline and Red Deer. You will also find oil refineries and upgrader plants like Shell Canada Scotford Upgrader and Shell Canada Scotford Refinery, which produce 100,000 barrels per day. Alberta is also home to pipelines that transport crude oil to markets in other provinces and the United States.
2. Saskatchewan
Another prairie province takes first place. Saskatchewan is the second largest oil producing province and is responsible for about 13.5% of Canada’s production of light crude oil, heavy crude oil and natural gas. The good news is that it’s easy to know where to find the best oil and gas jobs in Canada in Saskatchewan as there are four distinct oil producing regions namely Lloydminster area, Kindersley area, the Swift Current area and the Weyburn area.Advertisements
3. Newfoundland and Labrador
Being one of the smallest provinces in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador relies on its incredible oil and gas industry as its main economic engine. There are four fields producing an average of 240,000 barrels per day and a fifth field, the $ 14 billion Hebron Project, which produced the first oil in November 2017.
Major Oil Producing Companies in Canada
A good way to find jobs in the oil and gas industry in Canada is to check out the Careers page on company websites. For example, Enbridge Inc has 42 jobs available across Canada. You will also learn about the different companies, their vision and mission, and the benefits of working for them. It can help you create a personalized CV and cover letter when you apply for jobs.
A good way to find oil and gas jobs in Canada is to check the career page on company websites. For example, Enbridge Inc has 42 job positions available across Canada. You also learn more about the different companies, their vision, and mission as well as the benefits of working for them. This can help you create a tailored CV and cover letter when you apply for jobs.
10 Biggest Canadian Oil & Gas Companies
- Enbridge Inc.
- Suncor Energy Inc.
- Imperial Oil Ltd.
- Canadian Natural Resources
- Cenovus Energy Inc.
- Husky Energy Inc.
- Parkland Fuel Corp.
- TC Energy Corp.
- Gibson Energy Inc.
- Pembina Pipeline Corp.
Oil and Gas Jobs in Canada
The industry offers much more than working on a platform: With approximately 533,000 Canadian jobs supported by oil and gas production in 2017, the opportunities are plentiful. From truck drivers to accountants, the industry is made up of a wide variety of workers with different skills.
These are the 10 highest paying oilfield jobs in 2021, according to Indeed.
| Top 10 Highest Paying Oil Field Jobs in 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Job | Annual Salary in USD |
| 1. Gas plant operator | $41,451 |
| 2. Well testers | $44,061 |
| 3. Chemical engineer | $63,844 |
| 4. Sales representative | $65,169 |
| 5. Petroleum geologist | $70,578 |
| 6. Vessel manager | $72,125 |
| 7. HR adviser | $72,174 |
| 8. Drilling engineer | $75,770 |
| 9. Crude oil driver | $76,874 |
| 10. Executive account manager | $77,099 |
Best Ways to Work in Canada’s Oil and Gas Industry
How do you plan to work in Canada? With over 100 visa programs that allow foreigners to come to the country on a temporary or permanent basis, there are many options to consider. Here are two popular visa programs to consider that also allow you to bring family members to Canada:
1. Express Entry System
If you are a skilled worker, such as an accountant, engineer, or geologist, and want to work in the Canadian oil and gas industry, one of the fastest and easiest ways to do so is to go through the Express Entry immigration system. If your application is successful, you will be granted a Canadian permanent resident visa. One of the main advantages of the Express Route is that you do not need to find a job in the oil and gas industry in Canada to qualify for an Express Entry program, but you can improve your application with 50 to 200 extra points!
Benefits of Express Entry
- No job offer is required but then you’ll need settlement funds
- Processes applications in 6 months
- You can live and work anywhere in Canada except if you’re a provincial nominee
- The entire process is online-based for your convenience
2. Canadian Work Permit
Are you not looking to settle in Canada or at least not right away? You will need a job offer to qualify for a work permit that will allow you to work in Canada on a temporary basis. A Canadian work permit is issued with a temporary resident visa and indicates who you can work for, where you can work, and for how long you can work in the country. The acquisition of work experience in Canada is an effective springboard towards a future permanent residence. Canada prioritizes applicants with local work experience through certain immigration programs like the Provincial Nomination Program, for example.
It’s always a good idea to understand your visa and immigration options before taking the plunge to be armed with an optimal plan for your future in the Far North.