Transmission

Thanks to the sleepless dedication of inventors, entrepreneurs, and scientist (and their teams of researchers), such as Alessandro Volta, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla (who ironically proved wires are not needed to transfer electricity 1) we have the knowledge, technology, and ability to transmit energy from its source to our homes and businesses. (For a very basic explanation of an Electricity Transmission System, visit this site from the California Energy Commission.)

(photo courtesy of itsray)

However, as our nation's 50-year old infrastructure ages while we continue to increase our energy consumption, our transmission system struggles under increased loads. Additionally, as renewable sources of electricity become more commonplace, and require increasing numbers of connections to the transmission backbone, our system will require newer and increased capacity.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com says, "The U.S. utility industry will have to invest between US $1.5 and US $2 trillion between 2010 and 2030 to maintain current levels of reliable energy service for customers throughout the country...", again, that's $2,000,000,000,000.00.

Having recognized that "Colorado’s current transmission infrastructure is not adequate to meet the increasing electricity demands and the projected growth of wind and solar energy" and "The lack of adequate transmission represents a lost opportunity for early action to connect our vast renewable resources to the electric market while keeping Colorado’s transmission system reliable,"2 a state committee was convened last year to analyze and address these issues and opportunities.

This Clean Energy Development Authority (CEDA) states "Colorado has renewable resources in such abundance that the state can meet the current minimum utility Renewable Energy Standard by tapping a small portion of our total renewable resources." The Task Force assessed these opportunities, and the transmission requirements to bring these resources to market. (this source also has great resource maps and graphs)

Given the attention to this matter, and the fact that nearly half of the workers in the energy industry will be retiring within the decade, one can presume that this opens the door of opportunity for those considering a career in transmission, and not just as an electrical line technician/worker aka, lineman (whose journey level makes about $35/hour + benefits. For more info about being a lineman, click here. BTW, Trinidad State Junior College' Lineman School will have a Job Fair on Friday, December 12, 2008, 9AM - Noon in Colorado Springs, Colorado - click here for more details)

It takes teams of people in a number of different types of jobs to ensure overhead or underground transmission lines and the structures that support them are properly mapped, designed, engineered, licensed, permitted, manufactured, transported, built, connected, inspected, monitored, maintained and repaired.

Colorado employers of transmission-related jobs include:

- Xcel Energy
- Western Area Power Authority
- Tri-State Generation & Transmission
- Platte River Power Authority
- Black Hills Corporations
- Colorado Rural Electric Association, and
- Colorado Springs Utilities

among other power authorities and many, many subcontractors such as Utility Sales and Service in Longmont, CO. Contractors to transmission companies also include firms from the legal, land use, construction, financial, and other industries that support this cluster.

Training providers can vary based on which role on the team inspires you most. There are many opportunities in various occupation groups. For instance, if you prefer IT or mapping then consider training in GIS. However, if you prefer to work with your hands outdoors at great heights, consider training to become a lineman. If you prefer an office environment, public relations, governmental affairs, or business communications, consider telecommunications or public affairs (as a matter of fact, Tri-State G&T is looking for both of these positions as I write this post)

Refer to my schools post for training providers and use your web browser (not the Blogger search box) to Find keywords such as 'GIS' or 'lineman' (sorry, there's no search term for Public Affairs, since almost all colleges/universities teach communications and/or business).

In addition, some of the employers listed above have apprenticeship programs within their own companies, which means they will train you while they pay you. To find those apprenticeship programs that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, click on any of the industries listed in the orange or blue area of this website, scroll to the bottom and enter your zip code or state, and click the "Go" sign. (You can also check out my apprenticeships post for general info)

Speaking of great heights (I digress), check out one of my favorite YouTube videos about a lineman at this link, and embedded below:

Halliburton Internship

I ran across a blog today written by a Halliburton Intern I thought would be useful to share with you: http://halhr.blogspot.com/. It's author (thanks Eric!) provides valuable information and photos about the work that's performed at Halliburton. He also discusses turnover rates in the industry and plans to study how to minimize it, particularly in light of the pending mass retirements of Baby Boomers forecasted.

Allow me to step up onto my soapbox. There are a variety of reasons for high turnover. Many times it's attributable to lack of clear objectives and goals about the job. Sometimes, applicants may become so enthralled by the high pay, they may lose focus that they actually have to work for it. In an effort to recruit employees, sometimes companies focus only on the attractive aspects of the job. Other times communication (or lack thereof) is the culprit, particularly in this day and age when we have many different cultures and generations (Baby Boomers, GenX, GenY, Millennials) with different communication techniques, life priorities, and/or work ethics, working along side one another.

With respect to entry level field jobs in oil & gas, I want to communicate that they pay very well (salaries in this industry generally pay about 35% more than average salaries in other industries). Why, you ask? Because it's hard work! Although some rig crews can get on a flex-schedule (such as two weeks on, two weeks off), they're working at least 12-hours shifts (or more) every day for those two weeks, in extreme weather, lifting heavy loads, in the middle of nowhere. It really is much more difficult than it sounds.

If you cannot withstand starting your day punctually before the sun rises, like 3:00 am, traveling to a well pad that's hundreds (or thousands--perhaps overseas) of miles away from your family, a city, or the nearest 7-11 convenience store; living in temporary housing with your crew, getting dirty, hearing profanity, getting yelled at (or fired) for making mistakes that jeopardizes safety, effectively communicating and getting along with others, and lifting hundreds of pounds consistently for weeks on end, in a drug-free environment, then I'm sorry to inform you that these jobs are definitely not for you, so please don't contribute to the turnover rate.

However, if you are certain you have the brawn, brains, thick-skin, drive, stamina, and desire to learn, you're a hot commodity in this industry, will be well compensated, and could move up the career ladder quickly, perhaps up to a tool pusher who makes around $95,000 / year. If you're real good, the E&P companies that employ the contractor you're working for could also recruit you to become a "company man".

If you're unsure whether this oilfield work is for you, consider trying it on a temporary basis. Several employment agencies offer temp positions in oilfield work. They include SOS Staffing, Aerotek, and Weststaff, among many others, and often post their positions in ConnectingColorado.

I hope this helps to clarify some of the objectives for those of you considering embarking on these occupations.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Brown

Free courses in Energy Efficiency & Solar Installation

iCAST will be offering training courses for its WIRED workforce development program later this year. These courses target the unemployed or incumbent worker who is seeking entry into the energy efficiency or solar industries. These courses are free to anyone enrolled with their Colorado workforce center.

a. The Energy Efficiency Auditor course is scheduled for September 22nd thru the 26th 2008.
b. The Solar Installation course is scheduled for November 3rd thru the 7th 2008.
c. The Energy Efficiency Technology Installation course is scheduled for December 1st thru the 5th 2008.

These courses will provide firsthand understanding of the energy efficiency and solar industries, along with the terminology, skills and technological experience to become an assistant energy auditor/installer or solar installer. Interested participants must first enroll with ConnectingColorado.com and their local workforce center or can contact Mark Palmer at mark@icastusa.org for further information.

What are the jobs?

As in any industry, there are core jobs specific to each industry. In the energy industry, these include the oil & gas jobs as well as renewable energy jobs (or "green" jobs) in Colorado. Examples of these core jobs are: roustabouts (laborers who work on oil rigs), petroleum engineers, solar panel installers, and wind turbine technicians, among many others.

Then there are all the other ancillary/support positions used in any industry, such as marketing manager, accountant, salesperson, customer service representative, and those in IT. All of these support positions are also considered oil & gas jobs or renewable energy jobs.

Both types of positions are critical to the operations of a company and all are used at one point or another throughout the life cycle of the business, product, and/or service. Generally, in newer technologies the scientists and engineers outnumber the support positions as they undergo research and development. As the product or service is developed, commercialized and matures, the numbers of support positions (such as those in sales, installation, bookkeeping) increase.

In order to try to measure, categorize and describe occupations, many government agencies use a national coding system called O-Net which grew out of an older SOC coding system. Currently there are 812 O-Net codes and new codes are added as new occupations emerge. In June 2008, 102 new job titles and descriptions are to be added to the database. These "new and emerging" codes include:

- Energy Auditor
- Energy Broker
- Renewable Energy Technician
- Geospatial Information Systems Technician
- Bioinformatics Scientist (Biotechnology)
- Bioinformatics Technician (Biotechnology)

Note: NREL is one of the businesses that employs bioinformatics scientists and technicians.

Using a variety of sources, I've compiled a list of nearly 200 existing O-Net codes below to give you a sense of just how many different types of occupations are employed in the energy industry. This list certainly is not exhaustive. There are many occupations in the energy industry (such as "Landmen") which do not yet have an O-Net code assigned.

In addition, companies often have company-specific titles, which may not exactly match an O-Net title --though if you search the skillset of the standardized O-Net, or refer to O-Net's Lay Title list, you'll likely find a similar title.

Some of these job titles can be found on other websites, such as :

- The Rockies Energy Workforce Collaborative contains various titles employed in the energy industry with a short description of each
- California's "Green Jobs Guidebook" contains job titles, pay information, career ladders, job descriptions, minimum qualifications, specific training & partnership programs and other useful information.

To see a summary report (which includes tasks, abilities, work context, wages, employment trends, and links to videos) for each occupation classified with an O-Net code, type the O-Net code or the title into the occupation quick search box at http://online.onetcenter.org/

Title, O-Net (the text in brackets [ ] are my notes)
Accountants - 13201101
Accountants and Auditors - 13201100
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians - 19401100
Agricultural Technicians - 19401101
Auditors - 13201102
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics - 49302300
Automotive Specialty Technicians - 49302302
Biochemists and Biophysicists - 19102100
Biological Technicians - 19402100
Boilermakers - 472011
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks - 43303100
Calibration and Instrumentation Technicians - 17302302
Cashiers - 41201100
Chemical Engineers - 17204100
Chemical Technicians - 19403100
Chemists - 19203100
Civil Engineering Technicians - 17302200
Civil Engineers - 17205100
Computer and IT Managers - 11302100
Computer Hardware Engineers - 17206100
Computer Software Engineers, Applications - 15103100
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software- 15103200
Computer Support Specialists - 151041
Computer Controlled Machine Tool Operators - 51401100
Conservation Scientists - 19103100
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door - 499012
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders - 519021
Customer Service Representatives - 43405100
Cutting/Punching/Press Machine Setters/Operators/Tenders - 51403100
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas - 47501100
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters/Operators/Tenders - 51403200
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas - 47502100
Electric Meter Installers and Repairers - 49901201
Electric Motor and Switch Assemblers and Repairers - 49209202
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers - 49209200
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians - 17302300
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers - 51202200
Electrical and Electronic Inspectors and Testers - 51906104
Electrical and Electronics Drafters - 17301200
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation - 49209300
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial - 49209400
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation - 49209500
Electrical Drafters - 17301202
Electrical Engineering Technicians - 17302303
Electrical Engineers - 17207100
Electrical Parts Reconditioners - 49209205
Electrical Power Line Installers and Repairers - 49905100
Electricians - 47211100
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers - 51202300
ElectroMechanical Technicians - 17302400
Electronic Drafters - 17301201
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles - 49209600
Electronic Masking System Operators - 51502209
Electronics Engineering Technicians - 17302301
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer - 17207200
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers - 512031
Engineering Managers - 11904100
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other - 17302999
Engineers, All Other - 17219999
Environmental Engineering Technicians - 17302500
Environmental Engineers - 17208100
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health - 19409100
Environmental Scientists and Specialists - 192041
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators - 537032
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants - 43601100
Financial Analysts - 13205100
Fire Prevention and Protection Engineers [SunCor has their own fire dept onsite] - 17211102
First Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers - 471011
First Line Supervisors/Managers of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand - 531021
First Line Supervisors/Managers of Production/Operating - 511011
Food Science Technicians [biofuels] - 19401102
Food Scientists and Technologists, - 19101200
Forest and Conservation Technicians - 19409300
Gas Appliance Repairers - 49903102
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators - 53707100
Gas Compressor Operators - 53707102
Gas Distribution Plant Operators - 51809202
Gas Plant Operators - 51809200
Gas Processing Plant Operators - 51809201
Gas Pumping Station Operators - 53707101
Gaugers - 51809303
General and Operations Managers - 11102100
Geological and Petroleum Technicians - 19404100
Geological Data Technicians - 19404101
Geological Sample Test Technicians - 19404102
Geoscientists - 19204200
Graphic Designers - 27102400
Grinding/Lapping/Polishing/Buffing Machine Tool Operators - 51403300
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers [cleaning refinery/powerplant stacks] - 474041
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers - 17211100
Helpers: Electricians - 473013
Helpers: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers - 499098
Helpers: Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters - 473015
Helpers: Production Workers - 519198
Human Resource Specialists - 13107999
HVAC Mechanics and Installers - 49902100
Hydrologists - 192043
Industrial Engineering Technicians - 17302600
Industrial Engineers - 17211200
Industrial Machinery Mechanics - 499041
Industrial Production Managers - 11305100
Industrial Safety and Health Engineers - 17211101
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators - 537051
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers - 51906100
Insulation Workers [energy efficiency] - 472131
Janitors and Cleaners - 37201100
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers - 537062
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters/Operators/Tenders, -51403400
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other - 19409999
Locomotive Engineers [transport coal by rail] - 53401100
Machinists - 51404100
Maintenance and Repair Workers - 49904200
Maintenance Workers, Machinery - 499043
Management Analysts - 13111100
Mapping Technicians - 17303102
Marine Engineers [off-shore derricks] - 17212101
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects - 17212100
Marketing Managers - 11202100
Materials Engineers - 17213100
Materials Scientists - 19203200
Mechanical Drafters - 17301300
Mechanical Engineering Technicians - 17302700
Mechanical Engineers - 17214100
Microbiologists - 19102200
Milling and Planing Machine Setters/Operators/Tenders - 51403500
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engine - 17215100
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines - 49304200
Multiple Machine Tool Setters/Operators/Tenders - 51408100
Natural Science Managers - 11912100
Nuclear Engineers - 17216100
Nuclear Equipment Operation Technicians - 19405101
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians - 19405102
Nuclear Technicians - 19405100
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians - 29901200
Office Clerks, General - 43906100
Operating Engineers - 47207302
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators - 47207300
Ordinary Seamen and Marine Oilers - 53501102
Petroleum Engineers - 17217100
Petroleum Pump System Operators - 51809301
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger - 51809300
Petroleum Refinery and Control Panel Operators - 51809302
Physicists - 19201200
Pipelayers - 47215100
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters - 472152
Power Plant Operators - 51801300
Product Safety Engineers - 17211103
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks - 43506100
Purchasing Agents - 13102300
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers - 53401300
Refuse & Recycling Workers [biofuel] - 53708100
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas - 47501200
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas - 47507100
Sailors and Marine Oilers -53501100
Sales Engineers - 41903100
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing - 41401100
Security Guards - 33903200
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders - 519012
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining - 47501300
Sheet Metal Workers - 47221100
Ship Engineers - 53503100
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks - 43507100
Soil and Plant Scientists - 19101300
Stationary Engineers - 51802102
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators - 51802100
Stock Clerks - 43508100
Surveying and Mapping Technicians - 17303100
Surveying Technicians - 17303101
Surveyors - 171022
Team Assemblers - 51209200
Tool and Die Makers - 51411100
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners - 51419400
Traffic Technicians - 53604100
Training and Development Specialists - 13107300
Truck Drivers - 53303200
Welders and Solderers - 51412106
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers - 51412100

Black Gold on TruTV

As you may have seen, there's a new "reality" television series on TruTV called Black Gold (from the creator of Deadliest Catch) that depicts three Texas oil rigs and their crews racing one another to extract "black gold" (crude oil).

Based on the two episodes I've watched so far, I would recommend this show to anyone who has no idea about what a oilfield job entails. I would also suggest reading this website's message boards under "Discuss the Show", as they contain quite interesting feedback from individuals who claim to be seasoned in this industry.

Here's the link to the site, which includes "sneak peek" videos of each episode, photos, and a helpful glossary of oilfield slang (in the "All About Oil" section).

Worms for Hire

It’s not what you may think…

The energy industry certainly has unique terminology. Position titles such as worm, swamper, mudman, gangpusher, and floorman are just a few examples. In my quest to create a comprehensive career ladder/lattice diagram for the energy industry, I would like to share with you information I’m gathering along the way.

In the energy industry a "worm" is an unskilled manual laborer. You’ll not likely see this term as a job title in ConnectingColorado.com, rather, titles such as "floorhand", "roustabout" and "leadhand" are commonly substituted (but duties/titles may vary among different employers).

Worms are usually the lowest member of the drilling crew hierarchy, above a ginsel—a worm’s helper--and below a roustabout / leasehand. At some companies, such as Ensign Energy Services, the leasehand is the entry-level position.

Worms / leasehands are responsible for doing whatever needs to be done on the grounds around the oil & gas rigs. Duties include basic tasks such as cleaning, digging ditches, moving equipment/supplies, building fences, and mixing drilling “mud” (fluid mixture used to lubricate & equalize the pressure when drilling wells). Crews generally consist of 5-10 members and sometimes several crews will work on one rig.

As with most field positions in oil & gas, work hours on rigs are normally 12 hours on and 12 hours off continuously for two or three weeks, followed by an equal amount of rest period at home. The work is hard and physical, in all types of weather, are in remote areas, and employers have zero-tolerance for drug use (frequently using surprise hair or urine analyses).

Workers live closely together like a family, sleep together, eat together and have to trust each other—they must cooperate in a group, led by a team leader termed "gang pusher" (ConnectingColorado job order #CO5255994). Accommodations are generally provided by the employer, in local hotels/motels or in "man camps"--groups of mobile homes, many comfortably equipped with food, cable, and internet.

For more information about these types of positions and employer-specific qualifications, please refer to the following job order numbers on ConnectingColorado.com (note: if the job is no longer available, you may not be able to view any information). There's also some more information on my Halliburton Intern post

CO5252371, Roustabout $12/hr in Craig (3.5 hrs W. of Denver)
CO5258048, Floorhand $22/hr in Wray (3 hrs E. of Denver)
CO5241792, Floorhand $16+/hr in Grand Junction (4 hrs W. of Denver)
CO5260035, Roustabout $14+/hr in Meeker (3.5 hrs W. of Denver)

With the exception of jobs in local utility plants, on local transmission lines, and the like, most entry-level field/laborer positions in oil & gas are located 3-5 hours west, south, and east of Denver, and include positions such as:

- Water truck drivers (CDL required, some require haz mat and/or tanker endorsements, and some will consider employing ex-offenders)
- Fracturing Operator Trainees
- Pipeline helpers / apprentice pipefitters
- Apprentice electricians
- Apprentice welders
- Heavy equipment operators
- Yard drivers (transporting crews)

Now you know what a worm is.