Pipeline installation and maintenance are managed a piping supervisor in the oil and gas industry. This technical work necessitates excellent communication and coordination skills, as well as an understanding of pipeline engineering. Some employers demand college degrees from supervisors, while others accept applicants with extensive experience on work crews and in supervisory positions. Travel to remote locations may be required, and opportunities for international travel to support operations in other countries may arise.
When oil and gas companies plan pipelines, they collaborate with engineers to design systems that meet their needs while also adhering to all applicable laws. The engineering documents are reviewed a piping supervisor, who may meet with engineers to discuss the project. With this information, the supervisor can place orders for parts and dispatch workers to get the job started and move it along smoothly through the manufacturing process.
Some pipeline component fabrication may take place in centralized facilities. The piping supervisor is responsible for inspecting products, ensuring that they are within tolerances, and approving their shipment. Workers can install them once they arrive on site and test them to ensure they are in good working order before moving on to the next section. Piping supervisors must ensure that engineering plans are followed while working in difficult terrain and that they plan ahead to avoid pipeline installation delays.
Because of the length of a pipeline, multiple work crews may be involved in production at any given time. A piping supervisor may collaborate with subcontractors to ensure that all tasks are completed. Bills, payroll, and other financial materials associated with the installation can also be processed supervisors. The maintenance and repair aspects of the job come into play as sections are completed and put into service. Supervisors may be required to create maintenance schedules, respond to failure reports, and ensure that the system continues to operate safely.
Working in the oil and gas industry can provide a number of advantages, particularly for higher-ranking positions such as piping supervisor. The types of benefits available are determined the employer, the region, and the employee’s level of seniority. For workers in remote areas with extended projects, the employer may pay for vacation off site, which can include transit to a more populated area along with a replacement crew to handle operations while the regular team is gone. Piping supervisors may be in charge of ensuring that employees are rotated for vacation on a regular basis in order to reduce fatigue and boost job satisfaction.