Process technicians work in industries that convert raw materials into finished products, such as the petroleum and natural gas industries. An applicant requires an associate’s degree or two years of post-secondary training in a science-related technology. Some employers require experience in the natural gas extraction field. Chemical technicians in the petroleum and natural gas industry earned a median salary of $54,020 per year in 2010. The number of jobs is expected to increase by 15 percent between 2010 and 2020. Process technicians play a significant role in the process of extracting and purifying natural gas to usable energy.
Help Design Operations
Process technicians work with chemical and petroleum engineers to design the equipment used in gas extraction operations, such as separation, distillation and mixing. They interpret engineering drawings and recommend changes in operations. Additionally, process technicians research new designs for gas extraction equipment for effectiveness, efficiency and reliability. They also participate in installation and monitoring of gas extraction equipment, such as drilling rigs.
Operate Processing Units
Process technicians operate and monitor processing units, such as absorption units to remove water vapor and adsorption units to remove mercury from natural gas. They also adjust and maintain gas extraction processing units. It is their responsibility to troubleshoot and diagnose any technical challenges, and report to the engineer in charge. Process technicians also sample products and perform tests to identify any changes that the petroleum engineers need to make.
Process technicians maintain oil extraction equipment, such as pumps and extractors. They also participate in start-ups and shut-downs, and maintain records of operating conditions. Process technicians also keep records on maintenance schedules, and continuously monitor all extraction processes so that they can rectify malfunctions immediately. They also work with corrosion specialties to investigate corrosion failures and rectify them.
Responsible handling of high pressure wells during gas extraction is paramount to minimize dangers to the workforce and public. A blowout, which is the most catastrophic outcome during a drilling operation, occurs at a rate of nearly one in 1,000 wells that are drilled or operated. Process technicians work with the occupational safety and health administration manager to maintain workplace safety. They repair and replace control systems that fail to operate. Process technicians also compile maintenance reports that the safety manager uses to make decisions regarding safety programs to implement.
- well image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com