Pipeline Operator - Intermediate

ONEOK•Monahans, TX

About The Position

Perform intermediate-level work associated with the safe, reliable, and compliant operation and maintenance of natural gas pipeline and compression assets within the assigned operating area. The position supports three compressor station sites—two with three reciprocating compressor units each and one with turbine compression—and approximately 250 miles of associated pipeline, rights-of-way, valves, measurement facilities, and related equipment. Operators handle day-to-day operation and monitoring of pipeline and compressor facilities and support routine maintenance, inspections, pigging, valve operations, pipeline patrols, line locating and marking, One-Call response, excavation oversight, damage prevention, construction activities, and emergency response. The role requires independently prioritizing routine operating, maintenance, compliance, and damage-prevention work while responding to changing field conditions, abnormal operating conditions, equipment issues, construction activity, and emergencies. The position participates in an after-hours callout rotation, normally one week on call followed by three weeks off call when fully staffed. During on-call assignments, operators must be available to respond to emergencies, equipment issues, One-Call and damage-prevention requirements, and other operational needs outside normal working hours. Coverage may include nights, weekends, and holidays; the rotation may change based on staffing, operational requirements, vacation coverage, training, emergencies, and other business needs. Responsibilities may include DOT-covered operations, maintenance, and emergency-response functions, and employees must maintain applicable qualifications for assigned assets and tasks. The job involves travel to other locations up to 30% within assigned geographic regions. Depending on assigned tasks, the employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring an applicable driver's license. The employee works both indoors and outdoors and is subject to varied environmental conditions. Physical demands are classified as Heavy Work, including exerting 50–100 pounds of force occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and 10–20 pounds constantly.

Requirements

Experience operating and maintaining pipeline systems and related equipment used in natural gas and liquids gathering and transmission systems.
Experience in field functions including measurement, cathodic protection, and compressor or pump station operations.
Experience maintaining and repairing equipment.
Experience, training, or knowledge of company and governmental operating and safety procedures and environmental regulations.
Experience, training, or knowledge of natural gas and gas liquids characteristics; pipeline pigging; blowing drips; gauging tanks; collecting liquids; and construction methods.
Experience patrolling pipelines, conducting leakage surveys, and locating and marking lines.
Experience working with valves, dehydration equipment, scrubbers, and separators.
Experience using applications such as Microsoft Excel, Project, Access, and Word.
Experience interacting, negotiating, advising, and communicating effectively, including exchanging written and verbal information and instructions.
Knowledge of cathodic protection and corrosion-control activities.
Ability to use tools and equipment, including computers and related software.
Ability to establish and prioritize assignments and complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.
Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify alternative solutions or approaches to problems.
Ability to communicate technical and other information in a logical, organized, and coherent manner, in writing and verbally.
Ability to apply formulas to estimate or calculate flow rates and volumes.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Ability to respond immediately to hazardous conditions and follow safety precautions.
Ability to meet Heavy Work physical demands, including exerting 50–100 pounds of force occasionally, 25–50 pounds frequently, and 10–20 pounds constantly.
Ability to travel to other locations up to 30% within assigned geographic regions.
If assigned a company vehicle, possession of the applicable driver's license.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain pipeline systems and related facilities, including compressor stations, gas storage, dehydration and pumping facilities, measurement facilities, and associated equipment.
Perform startup and shutdown, pigging, collecting liquids, changing charts, gauging tanks, locating and marking lines, monitoring cathodic protection and basic pipe coatings, leakage surveys and pipeline patrols, and blowing drips.
Perform or dispatch line locates and provide construction watch and excavation oversight.
Monitor and replace lubricants, fluids, inhibitors, chemicals, and other materials as needed for safe and efficient equipment operation.
Exchange operational, maintenance, and measurement information with public and governmental officials, employees, contractors, customers, producers, and landowners.
Calculate, compile, and prepare information and reports concerning gas or liquid flow and quality, maintenance and repair logs, samples, pipeline and corrosion activities, construction inspections, and regulatory requirements.
Drive and ensure maintenance is completed on assigned company vehicles.
Respond immediately to emergency situations and dangerous or hazardous conditions to prevent injury to self and others.
Maintain applicable qualifications for assigned DOT-covered operations, maintenance, and emergency-response functions.
Participate in the after-hours callout rotation and respond to operational needs outside normal working hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays when assigned.
Prioritize and complete operating, maintenance, compliance, and damage-prevention responsibilities with limited supervision.