Alberta · designated trade
Snubbing Services (All Levels)
Snubbing Services (All Levels) is a designated trade in Alberta.
These facts were checked for Alberta on 4 October 2026. They do not by themselves apply in another province or territory. Tradesecrets and the Government of Alberta do not endorse TradesAtlas.
Snubbing services refers to the use of snubbing equipment to insert or remove drill pipe, tubing or specialized equipment into or from a well, when blowout preventers are closed while containing well pressure. Snubbing services are specialized functions of oil and gas well life cycle maintenance that requires working with a well under pressure.Snubbing services - Assistant Operator, Operator 1, Operator 2, Operator 3, Supervisor 1 and Supervisor 2, are available for certification under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act.
- Source
- Tradesecrets profile
- Last checked
- 4 October 2026
Work
Duties listed on the source page
- Certification is not required to work or train.
- The trade remains designated, and existing certifications remain valid.
- This does not impact availability of training, which is managed by industry.
- Assistant Operator–provides support and assists with the pre and post job snubbing operations. This is an entry-level position.
- Operator 1–operates in well environments where the shut-in pressure is less than 10 MPa and the wellbore gas or fluid is sweet. Snubbing services involve single zone workovers and completions, including jobs where the tubing can be moved through the well without staging couplings or tool joints.
- Operator 2–operates in more complex medium pressure well environments that are sweet or sour, where the shut-in pressure is between 10 and 21 MPa. Snubbing services involve sand cleanouts, lubricating, fishing, multizone and/or dual string completions.
- Operator 3–operates in even more complex high-pressure well environments. The gas or fluid may be sweet, sour or critical sour. They can work on wells with a shut-in pressure greater than 21 MPa. Snubbing services may involve operations using multiple blow-out preventers.
- Supervisor 1–oversees operations in medium pressure well environments, sweet or sour, with shut-in pressure of less than 21 MPa. The supervisor ensures a healthy and safe work environment while following industry practices and implementing environmental policies. This position is responsible for managing wellsite performance.
- Supervisor 2–oversees operations in high pressure (greater than 21 MPa) well environments that may include critical sour gas and fluids. Supervision of the snubbing crew, management of wellsite performance and worksite safety are key responsibilities. Detailed definitions for each of the branches can be found in the Snubbing Services designated occupation regulation.
Program Information
Trades Qualifier
- You can earn a Journeyperson Certificate based on:
- Recognized Training
- The requirements for Snubbing Services, depending on the branch, are as follows:
- Assistant Operator branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Assistant Operator
- Operator 1 branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Operator 1
- Operator 2 branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Operator 2
- Operator 3 branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Operator 3
- Supervisor 1 branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Supervisor 1
- Supervisor 2 branch:
- Enform (Energy Safety Canada) Certificate for Snubbing Services – Supervisor 2
Supporting Resources
Trade Information
- Trade Profile
Job Information
- Alberta Job Postings
Competency Outline
- Competency Outline (PDF)
Legislation
- Regulation
- Board Order
Other public references
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