Is Natural Gas Distribution A Good Career Path in 2022?

Is Natural Gas Distribution A Good Career Path? – A common question among ambitious people is whether or not working in the natural gas sector is a decent way to make a living. Here lies the reality, the natural gas sector employs a wide spectrum of people and offers a choice of employment opportunities.

Similarly, natural gas is becoming an increasingly prevalent energy source as fuel, but oil and coal are losing their once-dominant roles.

So, yes. Natural gas distribution is a good career path.

Working in this area might be a profitable career decision because of the high-salary roles.

If you are wondering why is natural gas distribution a viable career choice. Keep reading, you will find the answers to the questions.

What Is Natural Gas Distribution?

Natural gas distribution refers to the distribution pipes as well as the metering and regulating equipment at metering-regulating stations run by a Local Distribution Firm within a single state that is governed as a separate operating company by a public utility commission or that is operated independently.

In the same manner, natural gas distribution is the pipes or channels utilized to export natural gas.

Meanwhile, in most states, it is managed by a local distribution firm that is subject to further oversight by a utility commission.

Natural gas distribution is the last stage in ensuring that natural gas gets to the customers. The local distribution businesses transmit or transport the natural gas through pipelines to consumers through a small-diameter distribution pipe.

In the first place, we call the point or area where natural gas is moved from a transmission pipeline to the delivery point where natural gas is carried from a transmission pipeline to the local gas utility a “Citygate.” This can be either a physical location or an area.

Examples Of Natural Distribution Industries

Natural gas distribution industries include:

China National Petroleum is the country’s largest natural gas producer (CNPC). As of December 31, 2020, it was reported that China generated 130.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas yearly.

Production facilities for oil, petrochemicals, and oil and gas are also important components of CNPC’s business portfolio.

CNPC is a state-owned corporation, while a substantial amount of its activities is controlled by PetroChina Company, a subsidiary that is publicly listed (PTR) (PTR).

In addition, shares of PetroChina are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Similarly, Petrochina engages in the oil and natural gas industries, performing activities in exploration, production, storage, and marketing.

In 2020, however, with $299 billion in annual sales, PetroChina overtook ExxonMobil as the largest oil and gas company in the world. The company is worth $139 billion on the market.

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) (Saudi Aramco)

Generally, the second-largest natural gas corporation in the world is Saudi Aramco. As of the year 2020, the company has 31 million barrels of natural gas reserves.

However, it is one of the world’s most lucrative corporations, with projected 2020 earnings of $41 billion on revenues of $205 billion.

The company is the world’s largest oil producer since it supplies all of Saudi Arabia’s oil and natural gas.

Despite this, oil and gas production in Saudi Arabia contributed half of the country’s GDP last year. The company is worth $1.86 trillion on the open market.

BP

The London-based energy behemoth BP (BP) has global activities that span the full oil and gas value chain.

According to the company’s projections, the daily natural gas output will reach 7.9 billion cubic feet in 2020.

Consequently, BP manages significant natural gas production sites in all major regions of the world, including the Americas, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

It also has major international oil exploration and production activities, in addition to petrochemical, lubricant, and retail gasoline companies.

The corporation has 2020 revenues of $183.5 billion and a market value of $82 billion

ExxonMobil

In 2020, ExxonMobil produced 8.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas per day, the least quantity in the preceding seven years and a continuation of a decreasing trend.

However, based on revenue, it is the biggest oil and gas firm in the US.

The company’s market worth is $228.5 billion, and it generated $181.5 billion in sales in 2020.

Shell, Royal Dutch

According to Royal Dutch Shell, or Shell Global, as it is currently called, 2.79 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas were produced in 2020, with 838 billion standard cubic feet coming from Asia.

The company’s natural gas operations are global in scope.

Besides its upstream activities, which include exploration and production of crude oil, Royal Dutch Shell is also involved in downstream activities such as the operation of refineries, petrochemical facilities, and retail service stations.

These businesses supplement the company’s primary business of producing and selling natural gas. Royal Dutch Shell is an international oil and gas company based in the Netherlands and founded in the United Kingdom.

The company, which was valued at $153 billion on the market in 2020, posted revenues of $180.5 billion that year.

Chevron

In 2020, the American integrated oil giant Chevron reported daily natural gas output of around 5.7 billion cubic feet, which is consistent with production levels in previous years.

Therefore, large natural gas reserves are handled by firms all over the world, including areas in Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

What Does A Gas Distribution Engineer Do?

There are a wide variety of job opportunities in the business, but engineering professions are consistently in demand. And as a result, inquiries concerning the tasks of a natural gas distribution engineer are continuous.

Because they often design piping works and mains, they play a vital role in the straightforward transmission of oil and gas to the end clients.

In addition, it is their responsibility to provide the highest levels of security, environmental protection, and financial gain.

Regulation Of Natural Gas Distribution

Utilities serving a given region have a monopoly on the sale of natural gas within that region. Services such as billing and safety inspection are also provided.

In contrast, distribution firms are subject to oversight to curb misuse and safeguard consumers from inadequate service.

NARUC, or the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, is the agency in charge of policing the industry. On the flip side… State public utility commissioners are responsible for regulating local natural gas utilities.

Reasonable consumer pricing, a sufficient supply of natural gas, and dependable services are all obligations that are carried out by state rules. Equally, they provide the go-ahead for new distribution networks to be built and approve installation sites.

It is the policy of several U.S. states to provide their residents with access to a variety of vendors from whom they may purchase petroleum products through a statewide program. Somewhere about 20 states now have customer-choice programs thanks to the efforts of the regulatory agency.

Skills Required For Natural Gas Distribution Jobs

Those interested in a career in this field should be aware of the prerequisites. Before hiring someone, businesses in any sector will evaluate them against a set of standards.

The following abilities are important to consider if you are thinking about a career in natural gas distribution:

• Communication skills
• Creative Thinking
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving
• Information technology (IT) skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Leadership skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Project Management skills
• Multitasking
• Ability to work with a team
• Flexibility

Consequently, acquiring these skills will prepare you for the tasks ahead

What Are The Benefits Of Working In The Natural Gas Distribution Industry?

Accumulating a Profitable Income

The distribution of natural gas is a stable industry that offers decent pay. The industry is quite profitable.

Work Possibilities

Numerous Americans are put to work in the natural gas distribution sector. The natural gas distribution business employed more than 100,000 people in 2019, according to a BLS estimate.

There is a wide range of job opportunities, from entry-level to managerial, in the natural gas distribution sector.

The rising demand for gas has resulted in an increase in the number of employees in this sector in recent years.

Life-Work Balance

Natural gas distribution requires a large number of workers. The industry has regulated employees’ schedules to ensure they have time off for personal commitments.

Possibilities for Professional Growth

Opportunities for advancement exist in the natural gas distribution business, she says.

Workers with advanced degrees are more likely to be promoted inside the company.

The business world is prepared to back you if you have the necessary enthusiasm and dedication.

A Robust Market

The distribution of natural gas is a reliable and long-lasting sector. The infrastructure required to transmit natural gas is well developed, and demand for the fuel has remained stable.

In addition, the cost of natural gas is lower than that of several other energy sources. Due to its affordable pricing, it contributes to the maintenance of a steady market.

When compared to other energy sources, natural gas creates fewer harmful emissions.

More individuals are considering making the move to natural gas as they become more conscious of the need of minimising their impact on the planet.

Because of this consistency, the sector has been able to expand and attract new investors.

Is Natural Gas Distribution A Good Career Path?

There are plenty of promising job opportunities in the natural gas distribution sector. There is a strong need for labor, and there is an abundance of available positions.

Despite the fact that working there might be challenging at times because of the tough circumstances and long shifts, you can rest assured that the payoff is worth it.

There is employment stability and a high salary for most positions. Oil and gas are here to stay, so if that’s your thing, lace up your work boots because you’re about to get grimy. Stop wondering if the gas distribution industry is a decent place to build a career. Do it!

Which U.S. State Produce The Most Natural Gas?

Texas (23.9%), Pennsylvania (20.0%), Louisiana (9.3%), Oklahoma (8.5%), and Ohio (7.7%) produced 69.4% of the nation’s natural gas in 2019.

What Are The Job Prospects For Natural Gas Distribution?

Total private sector employment in the United States rose by over a million, or over 1 percent, between 2007 and 2012.

More than 162,000 employment were added to the oil and natural gas sector over the same time period, representing a growth of 40 percent.

The oil and natural gas business employ a wide range of people, who are tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States Department of Labor.

The majority of the growth in the oil and gas industry has been concentrated in the support sector, which employs around half of the total workforce in crude oil and natural gas production.

To put it another way, the three sectors account for less than half of one percent of the private sector workforce in the United States.

The recession had a significant impact on the support and drilling businesses, although both have since recovered, with the brief restriction on offshore drilling imposed after the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010 having only a minimal impact on their operations.

There was a 39% rise in monthly crude oil output and a 25% increase in monthly natural gas production between January 2007 and December 2012. (see chart below).

As the U.S. economy rebounds from the recession of 2007-2009, oil and gas drilling, extraction, and support businesses continue to contribute to overall private sector employment.

Significant increases in North Dakota’s real GDP per capita have coincided with the advent of the Bakken shale boom, as discussed in a recent TIE article.

How Much Can You Make From This Field?

On June 24, 2022, a natural gas distributor in the United States might expect to earn a median salary of $96,441.

In case you need a quick wage calculation, that comes out to about $46.37 an hour. This is the same as $8,037 every month, or $1,855 per week.

Salary data collected by ZipRecruiter indicates that the range for Natural Gas Distribution professionals in the United States is $54,000 (25th percentile), $134,000 (75th percentile), and $168,500 (90th percentile) a year.

It’s possible to earn upwards of $80,000 more or less than the median salary for a Natural Gas Distribution manager, depending on your specific set of skills, where you live, and how many years of experience you have in the field.

Best Paying Jobs In Natural Gas Distribution

1. Project Manager

Average Annual Salary: $197,000

In the field of natural gas distribution, this position is among the highest paid possible. This worker oversees initiatives and makes ensuring they’re completed as planned.

He ensures that projects stay on schedule and within their allotted budget, all while keeping safety in mind.

2. Drilling Supervisor

Approximately $186,000 per year in salary. This is one of the highest-paid jobs in natural gas distribution.

This worker operates the drill. So, he watches over his crew to make sure they finish on schedule. In a similar vein, he is in charge of all on-site operations.

3. Reservoir Engineer

Annual Wage: $172,000 on Average

Pipeline or Petroleum Engineer is another name for these workers. Furthermore, this group of individuals maximises the distribution of oil extraction products.

That is to say, they do things like assess the oil and gas reserves and find new ones. They employ specialised machinery and keep close tabs on the drilling process to achieve their goals.

4. Drilling Engineer

Salary Estimate: $162,000 Per Year

This person oversees the crew working on the rig. In addition, he conducts safety inspections, does routine maintenance, and monitors worker compliance with health and security protocols at the wells.

Further, he is responsible for the project’s financial and technical management.

5. Natural Gas Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $154,000

Additionally, these individuals are accountable for designing, installing, and maintaining any machinery used in the oil and gas processing operations.

They guarantee dependability, durability, quality, and security, too.

6. HSE Manager

Average Annual Salary: $158,000

Health, Safety, and Environment Managers often oversee the onshore and offshore operations of oil and gas companies, ensuring the health and safety of workers and protecting the environment.

Managers of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) also investigate workplace accidents, develop preventative measures, and organize training sessions.

7. Project Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $114,000

These workers consistently prioritize safety during design, building, and any other process they are involved in. And yet, he manages to have all this done without breaking the bank.

In addition, they examine reports, make alterations to the building, and inform the relevant parties.

How Many Jobs Are Available In Natural Gas Distribution?

There are several opportunities in the field of natural gas distribution because of the industry’s rapid expansion.

Some of the jobs in this category involve manual labor like drilling and construction tasks like welding.

Start your job search today on sites like Indeed or Careerbuilder if you’re interested in entering this expanding sector.

There are many available jobs that are a good fit for your background and hobbies. There are many opportunities available in the work market nowadays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion – Is Natural Gas Distribution A Good Career Path?

One’s personal interests, talents, and work experience will determine the ideal career path in natural gas distribution. Natural gas distribution is a fast-paced and tough field, and some experts think it may be an excellent fit for someone looking for a career.

Similarly, learning about natural gas distribution jobs is the greatest approach to determine if this industry is suited for you.

This article is for anybody interested in gas distribution, whether they want to make a profession out of it or not.

I appreciate your taking the time to read this.