If you are looking for oil and gas jobs in Canada, you will find a variety of lucrative opportunities awaiting you. As the fifth-largest oil-producing and exporting country in the world, Canada consistently demands skilled professionals such as drillers, mud loggers, and engineers, particularly in the Far North. But where should you focus your job search?
Canada is vast, with 13 provinces and territories. Fortunately, you can narrow your search to three provinces that are responsible for 97% of the country’s oil production. Ready to discover where to find the best oil and gas jobs in Canada? Keep reading.
Top 3 Oil Producing Provinces in Canada
While there are three major oil-producing provinces in Canada, thousands of jobs are in demand across the country. Identifying a province where your occupation is in demand can help you streamline your job search and may even qualify you for a Provincial Nominee Program.
1. Alberta
Alberta ranks first as Canada’s largest oil producer and is 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, such as 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
Saskatchewan, another prairie province, is the second-largest oil-producing province, 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: the Lloydminster area, Kindersley area, Swift Current area, and Weyburn area.
3. Newfoundland and Labrador
As one of the smallest provinces in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador relies heavily on its thriving oil and gas industry as its main economic engine. Four fields are producing an average of 240,000 barrels per day, along with the $14 billion Hebron Project, which produced its first oil in November 2017.
Major Oil Producing Companies in Canada
A great way to find jobs in the oil and gas industry in Canada is to check the careers page on company websites. For example, Enbridge Inc. has 42 job positions available across Canada. You can also learn about different companies, their vision and mission, and the benefits of working for them. This information can help you create a tailored CV and cover letter when applying 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 just 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 comprises a wide variety of workers with different skills.
Top 10 Highest Paying Oil Field Jobs in 2021:
| 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 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 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 Entry system is that you do not need to find a job in the oil and gas industry in Canada to qualify, but you can improve your application with 50 to 200 extra points!
Benefits of Express Entry:
- No job offer is required, but you’ll need settlement funds.
- Processes applications in about 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
If you are not looking to settle in Canada right away, you will need a job offer to qualify for a work permit that allows you to work in Canada on a temporary basis. A Canadian work permit is issued with a temporary resident visa and specifies who you can work for, where you can work, and for how long. Gaining work experience in Canada is an effective springboard toward future permanent residence, as Canada prioritizes applicants with local work experience through certain immigration programs like the Provincial Nomination Program.
It’s always a good idea to understand your visa and immigration options before taking the plunge, so you can be armed with an optimal plan for your future in the oil and gas industry in Canada.