Oil & Gas Operations Manager

Job Description:

Oil and gas operations managers plan and co-ordinate onshore and offshore exploration and production.

Job Category:
Energy & Utilities

What you will do:

As an operations manager, you will;

  • make decisions about where to explore for fuel reserves
  • carry out risk assessments
  • manage a technical team and subcontractors (leadership skills)
  • make sure production facilities are working efficiently
  • meet production targets
  • control budgets
  • manage emergency response teams
  • make sure production processes, facilities and refineries meet safety standards

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • business management skills
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

  • leadership skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • excellent verbal communication skills
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • working towards this role

University
You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification before applying to join an oil and gas company’s management training scheme. Relevant subjects include:

  • engineering
  • science
  • mining
  • geology

Work
You may be able to move into this role through training and promotion if you’re already experienced in the industry. For example, if you’re a project engineer, production manager or quality controller.

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to:

  • complete basic offshore safety induction and emergency training
    have an offshore medical certificate

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in an office, on a rig or visit sites.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career Path & Progression:

You could become an operations director or work independently as an oil and gas consultant, travelling to production sites all over the world.