Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines.
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment.
Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed.
Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should.
Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas.
Start and shut down plant equipment.
Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment.
Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows.
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems.
Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air.
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.
Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading.
Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions.
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.
Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus.
Contact maintenance crews when necessary.
Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment.
Change charts in recording meters.
Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distribute or process gas for utility companies or industrial plants, using panel boards, control boards, and semi-automatic equipment. | 77Estimated | 80.0% | 6% | |
| Monitor transportation and storage of flammable and other potentially dangerous products to ensure that safety guidelines are followed. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 6% | |
| Monitor equipment functioning, observe temperature, level, and flow gauges, and perform regular unit checks to ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 12% | |
| Control operation of compressors, scrubbers, evaporators, and refrigeration equipment to liquefy, compress, or regasify natural gas. | 77Estimated | 80.0% | 10% | |
| Start and shut down plant equipment. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Control equipment to regulate flow and pressure of gas to feedlines of boilers, furnaces, and related steam-generating or heating equipment. | 82Estimated | 82.0% | 5% | |
| Record, review, and compile operations records, test results, and gauge readings such as temperatures, pressures, concentrations, and flows. | 37.2Observed | 64.1% | 8% | |
| Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of gas to maintain processes at required levels or to correct problems. | 82Estimated | 82.0% | 10% | |
| Control fractioning columns, compressors, purifying towers, heat exchangers, and related equipment to extract nitrogen and oxygen from air. | 82Estimated | 82.0% | 3% | |
| Clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using hand tools, or request that repair and maintenance work be performed. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Collaborate with other operators to solve unit problems. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 4% | |
| Determine causes of abnormal pressure variances, and make corrective recommendations, such as installation of pipes to relieve overloading. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Read logsheets to determine product demand and disposition, or to detect malfunctions. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| 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. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Calculate gas ratios to detect deviations from specifications, using testing apparatus. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Contact maintenance crews when necessary. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Signal or direct workers who tend auxiliary equipment. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Change charts in recording meters. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Operate construction equipment to install and maintain gas distribution systems. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis