The demand for energy is increasing in every field of life. This is creating a boost in different kinds of pipeline jobs in various areas. Pipelines are used for carrying crude oil for refining. They are also used for transporting natural gas. These can be called as the connecting lines between everybody’s requirements and daily [...]
Dec 082011
Perhaps one of the most taxing but lucrative careers on the market today is that of a pipeline worker. Pipe line jobs often require a great deal of sacrifice, as you often have to endure uncomfortable, solitary living conditions and a great deal of physical exertion. However, the pay can be quite substantial, offsetting the physical and social disadvantages of the job. If you are interested in acquiring a job as a pipeline worker, the following information will give you greater insight into what to expect.
Pipe Line Job Description
Pipelines are huge steel tubes which run above or beneath the ground or beneath a body of water. They are used as an inexpensive method of transporting oil over very long distances. There are an array of extensive pipeline projects underway within the U.S. and abroad today that require qualified pipeline workers. As a pipeline employee, you will be helping to construct this network of pipeline tunnels wherever they are needed all over the world.
Living conditions on pipeline locations are often solitary, dangerous and challenging, to say the least. You may be separated from friends and family for months at a time until your project is completed. You may also be required to work long hours under stressful conditions to meet project deadlines. For these reasons, pipeline employers are willing to pay high wages to their employees in an effort to keep qualified workers satisfied for the duration of their work.
Locations of Pipeline Jobs
Pipeline work is readily available in the U.S., especially along the Atlantic and Pacific Coastline and in Alaska. Due to the extensive use of pipelines to transport large quantities of oil, new lines are being constructed each year. The construction of pipelines is a very expensive project. However, once they are completed, these lines are much cheaper to operate and maintain than the alternative of transporting oil and natural gas via trucks, rail or ship.
Some pipeline companies, such as Chevron, also have special interests in pipeline construction overseas, partnering with other international companies in specific pipeline projects. The following are but a few of their many overseas investments:
- The Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project: Currently developing oil fields in the south of Chad, Africa. It transports crude oil via underground pipes to the Cameroon coastline for export.
- The West African Gas Pipeline Project: Is responsible for the transportation of natural gas from Nigeria to neighboring states of Benin, Ghana and Togo.
- The Caspian Pipeline Project: Operates a pipeline network from Kazakhstan to the port of Novorossiysk located on the Black Sea, in Russia.
- The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Project: Transports oil from Azerbaijan throughout the state of Georgia to the Mediterranean Sea port of Ceyhan, Turkey.
These are but a few of the many international pipeline projects currently in operation abroad. Pipeline workers willing to work in these remote locations often command higher salaries than their counterparts in the U.S. due to the dangerous living and working conditions in these areas. Oil companies are constantly on the lookout for skilled laborers to assist in these endeavors.
Expectations of Pipeline Work
Pipeline employment differs from the majority of other types of employment due to the difficult living and working conditions on the field. It is not unusual for pipeline workers to live and work in remote locations, far from civilization and the comforts of home. If you hope to make a lucrative career working on the pipelines, you must be willing to go where the work is available, regardless of the conditions involved. As an alternative to making pipeline work a career, you can choose to work on the pipelines for a certain time period, enabling you to save a substantial amount of income for your future. Not all pipeline workers have the vision to make this type of work a lifetime career. Once you have gained substantial experience and expertise in this field, however, you may find the work fulfilling and challenging and opt to stay with it for awhile.
Pipeline jobs often involve long hours of hard, physical work under primitive living conditions which covers your basic needs. Some locations are located far from cities or towns, with only a company-run shop on the site where you purchase your basic needs. Due to the exclusivity of the market, these stores often charge exorbitant prices for their goods, which you will be obligated to pay. Once you have been contracted for a pipeline project, you may be separated from loved ones and friends back home for some time. If you work overseas, you can expect an extensive separation for the duration of the project.
In the event that you are married, you will need to make prior arrangements for your spouse and children to have access to your paychecks for sustenance while you are away. You should also set up a reliable means of communication with your family in case of emergencies during your absence. Other conditions you should be aware of in relation to pipeline work is that you may be exposed to danger from adverse weather conditions, civil strife, wild animals, etc., depending on your job location. The good news is that pipeline salaries often compensate for these living conditions, with many employees receiving $100,000 and above for their services each year.
Types of Pipeline Jobs
Pipeline jobs are many and varied to meet the overall need of the project at hand. These include pipeline inspector jobs, pipeline welding jobs, pipelaying fitters, pipeliners, design engineers, supervisors, etc. Some pipeline jobs require specialized training and skills while other entry level positions require little more than the willingness to work hard and get the job done. Pipeliners are responsible for the general maintenance of pipeline equipment and stations to ensure the oil flows smoothly through the tunnels without complications. Pipelaying fitters ensure pipes are aligned properly so that pipeline welders can complete their task of welding.
Design engineers are responsible for drafting project models, formulating plans and specifications and making cost estimates for the construction of pipeline projects. Pipe inspectors are in charge of inspecting the lines to ensure they are free of defects. Pipeline supervisors coordinate the efforts of the team responsible for laying the pipe to include installation of valves, meters and pumps along the way.
Alaskan Pipeline Jobs
Individuals interested in working for the Alaskan pipeline in the North Slope of Alaska must complete a specialized training course known as the North Slope Training Cooperative (NSTC). This course is composed of six modules that provide the safety training required for pipeline work in this area. The NSTC 6-pack is taught only in a classroom setting and can only be obtained in the state of Alaska. It takes about 8 hours to complete and can be done in one extended classroom setting.
Most applicants complete the NSTC in Anchorage, before proceeding to the slope to obtain employment. Hence, once you arrive on the slope, you are NSTC certified, putting you in a better position for employment. The Alaskan pipeline attracts a plethora of potential pipeline workers each year. Work conditions are more favorable than other more exotic locations; however, you should be in good physical health to be able to handle a vigorous work schedule and cold weather conditions.
Pipeline work is not for everyone. However, it is a lucrative career for those dedicated to this field. Pipeline openings are available from entry level jobs to highly qualified professional career jobs requiring a university education. By researching more about these positions online, you will be in a better position to decide if this line of work is suited for you.
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