A friend has mentioned that her boyfriends cousin has had to move out of Alberta as he couldn't get any work in the oil and gas industry. She said (her words not mine) "the oil has dried up"

She has (rather conveniently) forgotten what her boyfriends cousin actually works as though.

My hubby is a pipeline welder, has a job here and would not even think of emigrating if he's going to be out of work (quite rightly).

So, how are things in the industry in Canada? (Not just Alberta, we are exploring all our options)

I think it very much depends what you do in the industry. The carpet bomb drilling of oil and gas wells has dried up. The oilsands still going, although some projects have been hit others haven't and suspect new projects will start to roll out soon.

My husband welds the pipes for the pipeline, he doesn't work on rigs or to do with drilling.

Are lots of welders getting laid off just now?

Are his welding skills purely pipeline or are his codes more varied for standard welding - May have to adapt a bit if he is looking around the Edmonton / Calgary areas

There are a few opportunities that will be coming up in and around Fort Mac in the next 6 months or so -Some camp jobs with normally a 6 week on 2 week off rotation - I really wouldnt advise living in Macmurray

He can do all types of welding but as he works for a pipeline company here that is what he focuses on. He has certs for it all.

I wouldn't live in Fort Mcmurray, given the reviews on here and elsewhere!

The main reason for the move is because he already works rotation here and is away from me and the kids far too much (quite often 3months away at a time although is about to start an 8 on 4 off rotation).

So ideally we would all live near to his workplace, although I'm sure he would be happy to travel with work if needed.

Is there much in the way of pipeline work in the east of the country? I was reading a few bits about pipelines in New Brunswick but I got the impression the work is finished now.

We have no pipelines in Newfoundland - Our oil is brought back in by tanker and the gas is re-injected back into the wells .
Deep Panuke is in the construction phase in Dubai for Nova Scotia but the last I heard is that they are going to tie into the infrastructure that is already there for the Sable field so any welding work will be minimal and for a short period.

If he can nail a rotation job in McMurray you can stay anywhere in Canada that suits you as his travel will be paid for

Ah ok sorry, I must have got the wrong end of the stick

Sounds like Fort Mcmurray may be our best bet then.. thanks nldfc

There are lots of people from around here that rotate in and out of Macmurray (nicknamed little Newfoundland)- good money when the works there and a 6 and 2 seems a wee bit better than the rotation he is on now (Is he rotating in West Africa just now ?)

Where abouts in the highlands ? I have a few buddies from up around the Thurso way

I think our best bet would be to -

A) see if he can get work in FM
B) recce in both Alberta and the maritimes
C) see if company in FM will fly him in and out of our chosen destination
D) move

He's in Paris right now, but should be rotating in Angola for the next year or so

We're about 20miles North of Inverness, Thurso is about another 100miles North.

You've been really helpful, fingers crossed hubby agrees with above plan

We have people in our Edmonton , Fort Mac and Cold Lake bases just now - will get them to keep their eyes/ears open for new pipeline projects

ps I hope the team 20 miles south of you loss very badly tomorrow

Thank you... what company do you work for? PM me if you don't want to broadcast it on here

You a Dundee supporter then?

Yes a Dundee supporter for my sins

I am also looking at getting into the Industry in Alberta. However, I am a Process Supervisor, could also go back to Operator. The process positions seem to be OK at the moment. There are a few on the company websites at present---these seem to be on there all the time, every now and then they go off and then resurface. I can only assume that they cannot fill them ?

With the Oil price on the rise again I would expect some of the projects that are on the shelf to come back to life.

Fort McMoney may not be the place to be. However, it may be a place to get the foot in the door. I would go there on a fly in fly out rotaional. Some of the companies there are trying to get people to live there, not a good idea for a young family. If you can get a fly in fly out position as the OP says, you can pick where to live.

JET