Many professionals pursue truck driving jobs in the oil and gas industry for scheduling flexibility and travel. There are many kinds of positions in the oil and gas industry for you to consider if you want to transition into this line of work. Researching the different job opportunities that are available can help you find a truck driving job that aligns with your lifestyle and professional goals. In this article, we review what the oil and gas industry is and examine the job responsibilities of nine different truck driving positions in the industry.
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What is the oil and gas industry?
The oil and gas industry is a part of the energy market and supplies energy resources to global consumers. Some common resources that truck drivers transport in this industry include natural gas, coal, crude oil, and biomass. The energy market typically separates this industry into three different segments which include:
Upstream: This segment focuses on the exploration and production of oil and gas.
Midstream: This area concentrates on the transportation and storage of oil and gas products.
Downstream: This area refers to the refinement and marketing of oil or gas products.
3 truck driving jobs in the oil and gas industry
Review this list of three truck-driving jobs in the oil and gas industry to better understand the opportunities in this field. For the most up-to-date Indeed salaries, please click on the links below:
1. Truck driver
National average salary: $77,195 per year
Primary duties: Truck drivers in the oil and gas industry safely transport exploration, production, and refinement equipment to designated locations. They also inspect their cargo loads to ensure proper tie-down of all equipment, which enhances the safety of other drivers. These professionals also regularly inspect their vehicles and trailers to identify and rectify any maintenance or safety concerns. These drivers might also attend oil and gas transportation training sessions to remain aware of current industry guidelines and safety regulations.
2. Tanker driver
National average salary: $81,268 per year
Primary duties: Tanker drivers transport hazardous bulk liquids to designated production, refinement or sales destinations. These drivers often transport hydrocarbons, ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, pentane or crude oil for oil or gas companies. They’re also responsible for reviewing hazardous material safety sheets and placarding their tanker according to the material they’re transporting. Drivers might also review established route information to identify and mitigate potential transportation concerns.
3. Crude oil hauler
National average salary: $84,904 per year
Primary duties: Crude oil haulers transport fuel oil to customer destinations. These professionals inspect their tanker trailers to identify any container integrity issues and certify that they’re safe to use. Haulers also operate tanker trailers and other heavy machinery to load or unload oil tanks at assigned fuel terminals according to delivery specifications. These specialty drivers also test the quality of the crude oil. Crude oil haulers might attend recurring training sessions to remain up-to-date with roadway safety techniques, industry standards, and hazardous material transportation regulations.
Additional truck driving jobs in the oil and gas industry to consider
There are several other types of specialty truck driving positions in the oil and gas industry. Here are six other positions you might consider in this industry. The national average salary for these jobs is approximately $77,195 per year:
1. Gravel truck driver
Primary duties: Gravel truck drivers operate specialty dump trucks to transport gravel or loose rock to job site locations. Gravel truck drivers inspect their trucks to certify that everything is functioning properly, including the hydraulic lines and other moving parts. They also review shipment documents to certify their truckloads and ensure they receive the correct gravel or rock material.
2. String truck driver
Primary duties: String truck drivers load and transport pipe to and from pipeline work sites. These drivers inspect pipe shipments to certify the quality of finished parts and tie-down loads according to established loading operations. These drivers also review and plan delivery routes to identify any potential roadway barriers, such as low bridges or low-weight barriers. Drivers also verify delivery locations and manifests to ensure they deliver the right amount of materials to the correct location at the right time.
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3. Supply truck driver
Primary duties: Supply truck drivers transport food or work site supplies to job sites or other locations. They receive order information, collect supplies and load their vehicle with designated food, beverages or other needed materials. Drivers also review route and delivery information to ensure they deliver items within set deadlines. Some supply truck drivers might also inventory work site supplies to identify any supply requirements, which can help improve the efficiency of work site operations.
4. Vacuum truck driver
Primary duties: Vacuum truck drivers load and transport waste or other hazardous materials from oil and gas work sites. These professionals also clean equipment, hazardous spills, common work areas, and other areas to maintain the cleanliness and safety of work site operations. Vacuum truck drivers also operate other equipment, such as a vacuum trailer, pressure washer, hydro vacuum or roll-off truck to conduct clean-up operations. Many companies prefer these professionals maintain specialty certifications to work with hazardous materials or in confined spaces to operate vacuum equipment.
5. Explosives delivery driver
Primary duties: Explosives delivery drivers safely transport explosive materials or devices to and from oil and gas job sites. They collaborate with job site managers and leadership teams to identify explosive requirements and fill orders according to these specifications. Drivers also research delivery routes and explosive transportation regulations to maintain the safety of community members and other roadway drivers. These drivers also help conduct safe loading and unloading operations to maintain optimal job site safety.
6. Escort driver
Primary duties: Escort drivers, also known as swampers, travel with transport drivers to assist them as needed. They ensure load safety by reviewing tie-downs, shipment documents, and shipment placards. These professionals also conduct preventative and emergency maintenance on transportation vehicles and help clean and maintain vehicles when not actively transporting shipments. Some escort drivers also assist with loading and unloading operations, which can help expedite transportation activities.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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