Labour/Skills
Pipeline companies require a great number of skill sets, from surveying, heavy equipment operation and welding to line monitoring and line pack management. While some of these skills are industry specific, others are not. These more general trades, particularly construction and maintenance, are in short supply because of the current rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry. Tight labour supply can lead to escalating costs and delays in construction.
Pipeline construction and operation requires a wide range of skilled and unskilled labourers and professionals working in a variety of disciplines.
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Pipeline companies are responsible for the safety of operations, which includes the proper training and education of all employees and people associated with the pipeline project. In addition to overseeing the safe operations of the pipeline, companies are also dedicated to making sure that employees have a safe workplace and the appropriate training and tools to do their jobs. Pipeline companies and inspectors evaluate whether employees are meeting regulatory requirements, conducting proper inspections, and using necessary safety precautions. All pipeline employees are properly trained at their task. Pipeline system operations are also subject to local, provincial and federal environmental and safety standards and regulations. Materials
Meeting future supply needs is driving significant new investment in non-traditional resource development including oilsands and heavy oil, Arctic natural gas, coalbed methane, offshore oil and natural gas and imported liquefied natural gas. Timely investment in and construction of pipeline and storage infrastructure to connect these new supplies to markets will be critical to ensure North America has adequate supplies of energy. To understand the economic benefits to Canada and Canadians of these investments as well as the costs to consumers from delays in the timely construction of critical pipeline infrastructure, CEPA commissioned two economic studies. The two studies serve to quantify the economic benefits that result from pipeline investment and to illustrate the potentially very significant costs to Canadian residential, commercial and industrial consumers that would result from delays in the construction of new pipeline infrastructure in North America.