Operations Geologist
Edmonton, AB, CA, T6B 2T4
At Imperial, we work every day to responsibly develop Canada’s energy resources – applying technology and innovation to supply affordable, accessible and reliable energy while reducing emissions. Imperial recognizes the important role we can play by advancing climate solutions within our operations and by providing lower life-cycle emission products to our customers. This effort is powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by a pride in what we do and what we stand for.
The success of our upstream, downstream and chemical, and corporate divisions is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies.
Imperial honours diverse backgrounds so we can be a place where people can bring their full selves to work, no matter their identity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or ability.
At Imperial, we want you to come for the position and stay for the career. As an integrated company, we are uniquely positioned to offer you a wide range of career prospects and growth opportunities through the course of your career with us. We invite you to bring your ideas and help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs.
About Imperial’s Cold Lake operation
Cold Lake is an in-situ oil sands operation in northern Alberta. Sitting on a large, high-quality resource base, the operation is using and piloting next-generation solvent technologies that can improve production and lower greenhouse gas emissions intensity.
Cold Lake is one of the longest running oil sands operations in northeastern Alberta and one of the largest in-situ thermal operations in the world. The operation supplies refineries across Canada and the United States with the crude needed to create fuel, asphalt and other important products. The site’s past success and current strength stem from the skills, commitment and passion of the site’s workforce, made up of approximately 400 employees and 1,000 contractors including from Indigenous-owned businesses. In 2025, gross production at Cold Lake averaged 151,000 barrels per day.
What role you will play in our team
The Operations Geologist will support planning and execution of heavy oil drilling programs at our Cold Lake Asset. Working as part of the Cold Lake Geoscience Team, you will provide geological support for drilling operations, well placement, geosteering, and post-drill evaluations while helping to optimize reservoir development and well performance. You will also contribute to opportunity generation activities by integrating subsurface interpretations, reservoir performance and completions data to help identify, evaluate, and mature future development prospects.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for an early-career geoscientist to gain hands-on experience in drilling and development geology within a fast-paced operating environment. The successful candidate will work closely with drilling, completions, reservoir, and production teams to support the safe and efficient execution of development programs while building the technical skills required to contribute to reservoir characterization and opportunity generation efforts across the asset.
What you will do
- Interpret and integrate subsurface data, including well logs, core, cuttings, drilling data, and production information.
- Apply geologic and subsurface insights to generate infill and near-field drilling opportunities for short-cycle execution
- Assist with well planning activities, including offset well reviews, geological prognoses, target selection, and hazard identification.
- Provide geological support for active drilling operations, including monitoring well progress, interpreting geological data, and communicating recommendations to operational teams.
- Collaborate with reservoir, drilling, completions, and production teams to support development planning and field optimization.
- Participate in reserves and resources evaluations as required.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives related to drilling performance, reservoir understanding, and development optimization.
- Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with company safety standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
About you
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Geoscience, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline.
- 0 to 5 years of industry experience.
- Eligible for registration or registered as a Geoscientist-in-Training (G.I.T.) or Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) with APEGA or an equivalent professional organization.
- Understanding of sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, and reservoir characterization principles.
- Ability to interpret geological, petrophysical, and operational datasets
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic operational setting.
Preferred Experience
- Knowledge of Manville reservoirs and associated development strategies.
- Experience working with well logs, core data, cuttings descriptions, and subsurface databases.
- Experience with geological interpretation, mapping and drilling software such as Accumap, Petrel, StarSteer or similar applications.
- Experience designing deviated, horizontal or multilateral wells and oil sands evaluation drilling programs.
- Experience supporting drilling operations in heavy oil, oil sands, or unconventional resource developments
- Field experience supporting rig operations or wellsite geological activities is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated interest in development and operations geology within a heavy oil operating environment.
Your benefits
An Imperial career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life. Imperial Oil has been recognized as one of Canada’s and Alberta’s top employers (2024) as recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s 24th annual competition.
We offer you:
- Competitive salary
- Training and mentorship
- Relocation assistance as required
- Employee resource groups (ERG’s) – opportunity to participate in volunteer groups that support furthering the company’s inclusion objectives
Imperial is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Imperial is committed to providing equitable treatment and equal opportunity to all individuals and encourages all eligible applicants to apply.
Imperial conducts business in a manner that respects the land, environment, rights and cultures of Indigenous communities. In the areas where we explore, develop and operate, Imperial engages Indigenous communities in open and forthright consultation and strives to establish meaningful relationships built on mutual trust and respect. Please see here for more information on Imperial’s Indigenous Relations Guiding Principles and Guidelines.
Imperial is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with qualified applicants to provide reasonable accommodation upon request at Recruit.Services.CA@exxonmobil.com.
Eligibility to work in Canada: All applicants who receive an offer of employment must be eligible to work in Canada on a regular full-time basis without restrictions on their start date. Proof of eligibility shall be in the form of a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian certificate of permanent residence, Canadian open work permit or receipt from Immigration Canada of an application for a post-graduate work permit.
Proof of eligibility must be current and valid (not expired, cancelled or voided). Proof of eligibility will be required if an offer of employment is made. Failure to provide proof of eligibility at least six (6) weeks prior to the start date may result in the offer of employment being rescinded.
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