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Gas Plant Operators - 51-8092.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Compressor Technician (Compressor Tech)
Engine Room Operator
Gas Controller
Gas Dispatcher
Gas Plant Operator

Gas Resource Control Operator
Gas System Operator
Liquefied Natural Gas Technician (LNG Technician)
Liquid Natural Gas Plant Operator (LNG Plant Operator)
Plant Operator

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-8000	Plant and System Operators
51-8090	Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators
51-8092.00	Gas Plant Operators

Related Occupations

51-8012.00	Power Distributors and Dispatchers
51-8013.00	Power Plant Operators
51-8013.03	Biomass Plant Technicians
51-8013.04	Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
51-8021.00	Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
51-8091.00	Chemical Plant and System Operators
51-8093.00	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
53-7071.00	Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators
53-7072.00	Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
53-7073.00	Wellhead Pumpers

Tasks

Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
Change charts in recording meters.
Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed.
Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems.
Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.
Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.
Start and shut down plant equipment.
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.

Detailed Work Activities

Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Analyze test results.
Clean production equipment.
Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
Direct operational or production activities.
Inspect production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Operate natural gas distribution equipment.
Operate natural gas generation equipment.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Record operational or production data.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.