Pipeline Inspector

Job Overview

Job Category

Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement

Sectors

Education

Environment

Outdoors only

Career Demand

Stable

About This Career

Before they’re built and long after they’ve started moving oil and gas across the country, Canada’s pipelines need the careful eyes of Pipeline Inspectors. Informed by standards and regulations from both government and industry, they keep watch on pipelines’ plans and processes.

The construction and inspection of Canadian pipelines require a multitude of specific skills and intimate knowledge of Canadian pipeline regulations and the oil and gas pipeline systems.

Pipeline Inspectors inspect the construction and maintenance of new and existing pipelines to ensure that government and industry standards and regulations are observed, and they also monitor work site safety. They are responsible for adherence to company and client requirements, stipulations, policies and procedures and costs. Often they will work with a construction crew and other engineers, examining pipeline systems for faults such as leaks and corrosion, and make recommendations to improve systems.

In this occupation, activities may include:

Reviewing construction drawings, specifications, conditions, commitments, work plans and procedures.
Performing, or at minimum have a working knowledge of, welding, bending, stringing coating of pipelines in order to assess these elements in the maintenance process.
Monitoring excavation activities and verifying that excavation activities are in compliance with ground disturbance requirements.
Monitoring lowering in activities to ensure that pipe is adequately supported and that lowering in does not result in damage to the pipe.
Monitoring backfill activities to verify that backfill material is suitable for use and that the backfill process does not damage the pipe or coating.

Education

A college diploma, or degree, in an appropriate engineering field or trade qualifications and extensive related work experience may be required.
Appropriate professional engineering or engineering technology certification and licences may be required.

Certifications

Standard and emergency first aid
Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
Pipeline Construction Safety Training (PCST)
H2S Alive
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Licensing

Depending on inspection duties, the following are common certifications required:
NACE Coating Inspection Professional (CIP) Certified
CSA Welding Inspector Certification

Additional Requirements

An understanding of the CSA Z662-19 Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems is required. The Z662 is a National Standard of Canada and is referenced in all Federal and Provincial pipeline regulations.