Gas Plant Operators
Human Advantage 68%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.3 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
Also Known As: Bulk Gas Specialist, Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech), Engine Room Operator, Field Gauger, Fuel Attendant, Gas Controller, Gas Dispatcher, Gas Distribution Plant Operator +35 more
Core Tasks
- Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
- Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
- Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
- Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
- Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
- Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
- Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
- Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
- Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
- Start and shut down plant equipment.
- Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.
- Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
- Test gas, chemicals, and air during processing to assess factors such as purity and moisture content, and to detect quality problems or gas or chemical leaks.
- Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.
- Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.
Supplemental Tasks (4)
- Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.
- Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
- Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.
- Change charts in recording meters.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (11)
Tools & Equipment (43)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Utilities Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 1
Zone 2
Gas Plant Operators You are here
Zone 4
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar 78% match
Zone 5
Architectural and Engineering Managers 75% match
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