There are a number of jobs in the natural gas industry.
The natural gas industry, which includes the extraction, transportation, processing and sale of energy-containing gases, is a complex field that employs hundreds of thousands of workers. Positions range from white-collar executives in charge of managing petroleum companies to the blue-collar roughnecks responsible for drilling the gas wells.
Geologist
Geologists locate prospective sites for the extraction of natural gas. This is done by analyzing geological data and examining the terrain over which the gas could be located. Geologists consult with engineers to identify the best sites for drilling test wells to confirm the presence of gas.
Engineer
Engineers design and implement the equipment used to extract natural gas from the earth, such as drills, rigs and pumps. Engineers examine the area in which the well is to be located and adapt the infrastructure to suit the conditions.
Roughneck
A roughneck operates the drill on a natural gas platform. Although the term is native to the oil industry, roughnecks are also used to extract natural gas, which is often found in the same area as liquid petroleum. Roughnecks perform a number of semi-skilled jobs but are not as specialized as electricians or mechanics.
Regional Sales Manager
A regional sales manager sells natural gas to new customers in a geographic area. This includes pitching the benefits of natural gas to utility companies and to individual consumers who are seeking to have their homes heated. Sales managers market the product and fill orders.
Director of Exploration
The director of exploration for a natural gas company identifies locations in which to explore for natural gas. Working in concert with a geologist, the director attempts to identify new natural gas fields and then leads negotiations with the owners of that area to secure rights to drill in the field.
Pipefitter
Much natural gas is transported through a network of pipes that take the gas from the area in which it is extracted to places in which it can be sold and consumed. A pipefitter constructs and maintains these pipes.
Safety Officer
Extracting natural gas, which is flammable, is a dangerous business. Most companies employ one or more safety officers to ensure that personnel are following safety precautions in the extraction of the gas and that the equipment is operating within the specifications set by the manufacturers.
LNG Tanker Captain
LNG tanker captains drive tankers specially designed to carry liquefied natural gas, or LNG, over long distances. Because these tankers contain material that is highly flammable, the tanker captains must be trained in safety procedures.
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