1. Energy careers
  2. Business and operations support
  3. Pipeline Scheduler

Pipeline Scheduler

NOC #93101, #13201

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary degree
  • Average salary $49,000 to $104,000

Career profile

Pipeline schedulers are responsible for ensuring that the vast volumes of oil and natural gas that are shipped by pipelines every year end up at their intended destination on time and accounted for.

Oil and natural gas pipelines are complex, interconnected systems that carry a wide variety of products such as natural gas and natural gas liquids (ethane, propane, butane and pentanes) as well as distinct oil blends of varying grades to facilities across Canada and into the United States. Pipeline schedulers conduct in-depth analyses of storage levels, adjusting shipping schedules to align with marketing agreements. Additionally, they are responsible for reconciling invoices and delivery confirmations with shippers, distributors, and end-users. They work alongside supply chain and logistics departments, marketing teams, and production facilities to guarantee that the right product is dispatched through the right pipeline, adhering to agreed-upon costs, and meeting precise delivery timelines at various facilities such as processing plants and refineries.

Exploration and production, Pipelines, Oil sands

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Managing and scheduling of volumes from multiple receipt locations and coordinating deliveries with downstream carriers.
  • Developing and sustaining strong customer relationships with shippers, producers and other pipeline companies.
  • Communicating daily with control centre, field operations and trucking regarding scheduled volume movements to ensure safe and optimal operations.
  • Optimizing system capacity and efficiency through detailed knowledge of the pipeline systems, customer requirements and market conditions.
  • Preparing and managing weekly and monthly shipper and producer documentation as per industry deadlines.

Education

  • A bachelor’s degree in business, economics or related discipline is typically required.

Additional Requirements

  • Knowledge of Canadian pipeline movements considered a key asset
  • Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements

Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and gas include:

  • Minimal or no travel
  • Shiftwork/variable work hours
  • Primarily indoor/office work
  • Work not physically demanding
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Understanding Risk
  • Transportation
  • Operation and Control
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Cost Benefit Analysis
  • Negotiation
  • Persuasion
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Administrative