Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Oil & Gas Inspector

🎯 Role Definition

An Oil & Gas Inspector (Field / Pipeline / Asset Integrity Inspector) performs physical and non-destructive inspections of wells, pipelines, tanks, pressure vessels, and offshore structures to ensure regulatory compliance, safety, integrity, and operational reliability. The role combines field inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), defect assessment, reporting, contractor supervision, and collaboration with engineering and maintenance teams to prioritize repairs and preventive maintenance. Strong knowledge of API, ASME, OSHA, PHMSA, and industry inspection standards, plus hands-on experience with ultrasonic thickness testing, radiography, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, and cathodic protection testing, is highly desirable.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

NDT Technician (UT, MT, PT, RT) with field experience
Field Service Technician / Maintenance Technician in oil & gas
Junior Pipeline/Facility Inspector or Quality Control Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Field Inspector / Lead Inspector
Inspection Supervisor or Integrity Team Lead
Asset Integrity Engineer / Pipeline Integrity Engineer
Integrity Manager / Regional Inspection Manager

Lateral Moves:

Corrosion Engineer / Cathodic Protection Specialist
HSE (Safety) Specialist or Safety Manager
Maintenance Planner / Reliability Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough visual and non-destructive inspections (UT, RT, MT, PT) of pipelines, pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, wellheads, risers, and subsea structures to detect corrosion, erosion, cracking, welding defects, and mechanical damage, documenting all findings with photos, sketches, and measurements.
Perform ultrasonic thickness testing (UT) on piping, tanks, and structural components to measure metal loss and map corrosion profiles; interpret results against minimum required thicknesses and report anomalies for remedial action.
Execute radiographic inspections (RT) and coordinate radiography crews and safety zones, ensuring compliance with radiation protection protocols and regulatory requirements for onshore and offshore radiography.
Carry out magnetic particle testing (MT) and liquid penetrant testing (PT) on welds and fabricated components to identify surface-breaking defects, cracks, and discontinuities, and produce detailed inspection records.
Inspect welds in accordance with API 1104 / ASME / company welding procedures, verify welder qualifications, and assess conformance to acceptance criteria, recommending repairs or rework where necessary.
Perform pressure testing and hydrostatic testing of pipelines, vessels, and piping systems, monitor test parameters, identify leaks or failures, and verify safe return to service according to industry standards and permits.
Execute cathodic protection (CP) surveys and holiday testing on coatings, troubleshoot impressed current and sacrificial anode systems, measure potentials and currents, and issue recommendations to mitigate corrosion.
Review and interpret P&IDs, isometric drawings, engineering specifications, vendor documentation, and inspection history to plan and prioritize inspection activities and ensure assets meet design and regulatory standards.
Prepare clear, concise, and actionable inspection reports, NCRs (non-conformance reports), and integrity assessment summaries for operations, maintenance, and engineering stakeholders, including recommended repairs, estimated timelines, and risk classifications.
Classify and tag defects, write detailed repair scopes (weld repair, grinding, sleeving, clamp installation), coordinate with maintenance and third-party contractors to ensure timely remediation and verify repairs through follow-up inspections.
Support asset integrity management programs, including corrosion monitoring, fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluations, remaining life assessments, and RBI (risk-based inspection) activities to optimize inspection intervals and maintenance spend.
Conduct on-site supervisory duties during contractor inspections or repair activities, enforce safety and quality standards, review contractor deliverables, and validate that work meets technical and regulatory requirements.
Participate in incident investigations and root cause analysis for failures, provide technical inspection input, collect evidence, and recommend corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
Ensure compliance with local, national, and international regulations and standards (API, ASME, OSHA, PHMSA, BSEE, ISO) and maintain knowledge of regulatory changes that affect inspection and integrity programs.
Maintain and calibrate inspection and test equipment (UT gauges, thickness probes, radiography dosimeters, holiday detectors), keep calibration records up-to-date, and ensure instruments are fit-for-purpose before each inspection.
Perform confined space entry supervision and attendant duties when required, verify permits, atmospheric testing, ventilation, and rescue readiness, and document safe work practices in accordance with permit-to-work systems.
Conduct pre-inspection risk assessments and job safety analyses (JSA/JHA), implement hazard controls, enforce PPE standards, and ensure that all field activities follow HSE policies and emergency response procedures.
Use digital inspection tools, mobile reporting apps, CMMS, and GIS systems to record inspection data, upload photos and readings, maintain asset inspection histories, and assist in data-driven decision making for integrity planning.
Liaise with operations, engineering, maintenance, and asset owners to schedule inspections during shutdowns, turnarounds, and pigging campaigns, minimizing operational disruption while meeting inspection objectives.
Train and mentor junior inspectors and technicians on inspection techniques, NDT best practices, company procedures, and safety protocols to build in-house inspection capability and ensure consistent inspection quality.
Monitor and manage inspection work scopes and budgets, prepare estimates for inspection campaigns, and provide input to procurement for inspection-related materials and third-party services.
Support regulatory audits and third-party inspection activities, provide inspection records, explain inspection methodologies and findings, and implement auditor recommendations as required.
Stay current with industry best practices, emerging inspection technologies (AUVs, drones, guided-wave UT, phased array UT), and participate in competency assessments and certification renewals to maintain professional qualifications.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the development and continuous improvement of inspection procedures, checklists, and standard operating procedures to increase consistency, reduce rework, and align with industry standards.
Support the integration of inspection data into the company's integrity management database, help cleanse and validate legacy data, and recommend data-driven improvements to inspection planning.
Collaborate with corrosion engineers and materials specialists to develop mitigation strategies for recurrent defects and to select appropriate repair methods and protective coatings.
Contribute to pre-job planning and permit-to-work reviews to ensure inspections are properly scoped and that all logistical and safety considerations are addressed before field mobilization.
Participate in cross-functional meetings with operations, maintenance, and HSE to provide inspection status updates, risk assessments, and recommendations for upcoming maintenance windows and shutdowns.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified in NDT methods: Ultrasonic Testing (UT), Radiographic Testing (RT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), and Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT); familiarity with Phased Array UT and Guided Wave UT is a plus.
Knowledge and practical application of API standards (API 570, API 653, API 510, API 1169, API 1104), ASME codes, and industry inspection procedures applicable to pipelines, tanks, and pressure equipment.
Proficient with ultrasonic thickness gauges, phased-array equipment, radiography equipment, holiday detectors, and cathodic protection test tools; experience maintaining calibration records.
Strong pipe and pressure equipment inspection skills including weld inspection, flange and joint integrity assessment, and leak detection techniques.
Experience performing pipeline integrity assessments, pigging inspection support, hydrostatic testing, and pressure test supervision.
Skilled in interpreting P&IDs, isometrics, material specifications, engineering drawings, and welding procedures.
Familiar with corrosion monitoring techniques, CP systems testing, corrosion coupon programs, and coating inspection methodologies.
Competent with inspection management systems, CMMS (SAP/EAM), GIS mapping tools, mobile inspection apps, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) for reporting and data analysis.
Experience conducting risk-based inspection (RBI) and fitness-for-service (FFS) evaluations or supporting engineers who perform them.
Knowledge of regulatory frameworks: OSHA, PHMSA, BSEE, local maritime and offshore safety regulations, and environmental permit requirements.
Competency in confined space procedures, lockout/tagout (LOTO), working at heights, and permit-to-work systems; relevant certifications (e.g., H2S, BOSIET, scaffold, rope access) are advantageous.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and observational skills required to detect subtle defects and accurately document findings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to generate clear inspection reports and present technical findings to multidisciplinary teams and regulators.
Good problem-solving and analytical skills to assess defect criticality, propose remediation options, and support root cause investigations.
Ability to work independently in remote and sometimes harsh environments, with strong time management and organization to meet inspection schedules.
Teamwork and stakeholder management to coordinate with operations, maintenance, contractors, and engineering disciplines.
Adaptability and resilience to work flexible hours, respond to emergencies, and perform inspections during shutdowns and turnarounds.
Leadership and mentoring capability to coach junior inspectors and to lead small field inspection teams.
Sound decision-making under pressure, prioritizing safety and operational integrity while balancing cost and schedule constraints.
Cultural and safety leadership, promoting a proactive safety culture on site and ensuring adherence to HSE policies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant vocational training and certifications in NDT, welding inspection, or inspection technology.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Materials Science, Welding Engineering, or related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Engineering
Petroleum / Oil & Gas Engineering
Materials or Metallurgical Engineering
Welding Technology / NDT Technology
Safety / HSE related technical programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–10 years of combined field inspection, NDT, and oil & gas industry experience.

Preferred:

5+ years inspection experience in oil & gas, including demonstrable experience with pipelines, storage tanks, pressure vessels, and subsea or topside structures.
Proven track record of working onshore and offshore, participating in shutdowns, pigging operations, and complex repair scopes.
Relevant certifications such as API 570/653/510, ASNT Level II or III in NDT methods, CWI, and any industry-specific credentials (e.g., BOSIET, H2S, confined space).