◆ Animation & VFX

What a pipeline td
really does.

20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.

20evidenced tasks
3,510in the US (2025)
$77,320median pay / year
3systems it runs on
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This is what one task looks like here
Start and stop compressors
Start the field compressor at Unit 4 for the afternoon injection run, …4 sources agree

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The work, task by task

20 tasks
Hands on the work15
Start and stop compressors+
Start the field compressor at Unit 4 for the afternoon injection run, verify oil pressure and safety interlocks, log start time and ambient pressure, and shut down immediately if vibration or high temp alarms occur.
escojdonetwiki4 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Read gauges and meters+
Walk the meter run at Compressor Station 7, read each pressure gauge, flow meter and valve indicator, note the readings and timestamp on the site log, photograph any needle off-scale, and flag anomalies to operations lead Mark Jensen before I leave at 16:00.
jdonetwiki3 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Perform chemical tests on gases+
Collect gas samples from inlet and outlet at Compressor 7, run the standard sulphur and moisture assays on the bench analyzer, record concentrations and instrument IDs on the test report, and notify Quality Lead Ana Perez immediately if results exceed spec.
escoonet2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Adjust pressure and flow settings+
Tune the station flow by adjusting the suction and discharge valves to meet the new setpoint: bring inlet pressure from 48 psi to 52 psi over thirty minutes, monitor compressor response and downstream flow, record each adjustment in the log, and stop and call Duty Manager Sam if vibration or temperatures rise suddenly.
jdwiki2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Adjust valves and equipment to obtain specified performance.+
Adjust the suction and discharge valves, trim compressor throttle and staging settings until pressure, flow and engine RPM match the target curve on the station sheet, record each change and final readings, and report any instability to the lead operator immediately.
onet
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Maintain each station by performing general housekeeping duties such as painting, washing, and cleaning.+
Complete a station housekeeping pass: wash skid surfaces, repaint chipped safety markings, clear drains and sweep accessways, remove trash and hazmat waste to the designated bin, then log the completed tasks on the daily maintenance list.
onet
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Connect pipelines between pumps and containers that are being filled or emptied.+
When equipment malfunctions, secure the area, note meter and compressor readings, take photos of the fault, enter a fault report with time, symptoms and immediate actions, and notify the maintenance supervisor and on-call technician for priority response.
onet
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Report equipment malfunctions+
Connect the correct hoses and flanges between pump and container, verify isolation valves and vents are set for transfer, monitor flow and pressure on the meter during filling, and secure fittings then close out the transfer log when levels reach the target.
jd
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Keep the record2
Watch and assess2
Keep it safe1

What the work runs on

named inside the evidenced tasks
12 tasksComputerized maintenance management system CMMSto log maintenance actions, start/stop times and schedule follow-up service
9 tasksProgrammable logic controller PLCdirectly controls compressor start/stop, interlocks and monitors runtime parameters at the station
2 tasksMicrosoft Excelorganises numeric operational data, computes averages and produces a sharable summaryOpen its task library →
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The same task, four heights

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ExecuteDo today's task, with fewer mistakesyou are here → ImproveMake it easy for the next person to acceptin the atlas → DecideWork out the right move when it is unclearin the atlas → BecomeLearn the pattern so it stops coming backin the atlas →

Can AI actually do this job?

the honest answer

It can

where it genuinely helps
  • Explain the theory behind the work
  • Draft, tidy and structure your writing
  • Rehearse a hard conversation before you have it
  • Build a study plan that fits your gaps

It cannot

where it stops, completely
  • Be in the room where a pipeline td actually works
  • Carry the responsibility when the call is wrong — that weight stays yours
  • Notice what no one wrote down: the hesitation, the thing left unsaid
  • Live with the outcome

What the work pays

two countries, two different measures

United States

this exact occupation · BLS 2025
  • $77,320 a year — the middle: half earn more, half earn less
  • The lowest tenth earn near $46,180; the top tenth near $99,510
  • 3,510 people employed in this occupation

Where the evidence lives

open any of it yourself
O*NETThe US Department of Labor's own record of this job7 of these tasks ESCOThe European skills and occupations register9 of these tasks Job descriptionsReal postings, in the wild7 of these tasks WikipediaHow the world describes this work8 of these tasks US Bureau of Labor StatisticsPay and employment, by occupation2025 figures UK NOS SFL211Operate and monitor the tanker systemsnational standard UK NOS SFHGEN82Check, connect and disconnect medical gas cylinders and outletsnational standard

Close to this work

12 nearby
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Questions people actually ask

You usually start by checking the shift log, reading gas meters, gauges and PLC (programmable logic controller) screens to see pressures, flows and temperatures. You’ll start or stop compressors as needed, adjust valves, and tend the compressor engine during the first hour.

Through the shift you record operational and production data in Excel or the CMMS, inspect equipment, perform routine housekeeping like washing or painting, and run any chemical tests on gases. You end by writing a handover log for the next shift and reporting any malfunctions you found.

You’ll interact with PLCs (programmable logic controllers) on the shop floor to monitor and change operating setpoints. For maintenance tracking and work orders you’ll use a CMMS (computerized maintenance management system).

For simple logs and trend charts you’ll use Microsoft Excel. You’ll also read physical gauges, gas meters, and sometimes chemical analysis equipment during tests.

AI can help summarize logbooks, draft maintenance reports, or suggest troubleshooting steps from manuals, but never rely on it for live control actions. Always verify AI outputs against PLC readings, the CMMS work order history, and physical gauges before making changes.

Do not upload confidential SCADA/PLC snapshots to public AI services. Use company-approved, offline AI tools or have a supervisor review AI-generated procedures before applying them.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 3,510 people were employed in this role in 2025. The median annual wage was $77,320, the lowest 10% earned $46,180, and the top 10% earned $99,510.

Those numbers are BLS figures, so they reflect U.S. national data; local pay can vary with region, shift differentials, and employer.

Begin with a basic trades or mechanical certificate and courses in hydraulics, thermodynamics, or industrial instrumentation. Learn to read gauges, meters, and basic PLC screens; many employers offer on-the-job training for the specific compressors and CMMS they use.

Get comfortable with safety procedures, pressure calculations, and simple chemical test kits. Entry roles like maintenance helper or operator trainee will let you shadow experienced staff and learn plant-specific systems.

They overlap. A Pipeline Td focuses on operating pipeline compressors and transmission—starting/stopping compressors, adjusting valves, monitoring PLCs and meters, and recording data. A gas plant operator may handle processing equipment like dehydration or sweetening units.

A compressor mechanic specializes more on repairs—overhauls, parts replacement, and deeper mechanical work. Pipeline Td sits between: you operate and do routine maintenance, report malfunctions, and use the CMMS to request major repairs.

Day one: be able to read gauges and meters, follow written safety procedures, perform basic valve adjustments, and record data clearly (often in Excel). You should also be comfortable with tools, basic housekeeping of a station, and reporting issues in the CMMS.

Learnable on the job: advanced PLC programming, complex compressor staging and inter‑cooling adjustments, and detailed chemical analysis procedures. Employers will train you on station-specific compressor control and engine tending.