Chemical, Gas, Petroleum & Power Plant Operator

Overview

Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators control the operation of chemical production equipment, pump gas and oil from wellheads, refine and process petroleum products, and operate boilers, turbogenerators and associated plant to generate electrical power.

Day-to-day

• controlling equipment performing continuous and batch processes to process chemicals and natural gas, manufacture refined petroleum products, and blend petroleum base stocks to produce commercial fuels, lubricating oils and asphalt
• controlling the preparation, measuring and feeding of raw material and processing agents such as catalysts and filtering media into plant
• patrolling and inspecting equipment to ensure proper operation and setting operating controls on equipment
• analysing samples and readings and recording test data
• controlling records of production, quantities transferred and details of blending and pumping operations
• checking equipment for malfunctions and arranging maintenance
• operating power generation plant controls to produce required load
• monitoring operation of power generation plant and interpreting instrument readings
• authorising procedures to isolate high-voltage and low-voltage electrical apparatus and plant
• writing reports and maintaining records on equipment performance, instrument readings and switching operations
• carrying out routine operating tests.

Considerations

• irregular hours
• working outdoors.