Loading…
NOC 85111 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers. It is classified TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education, which does not meet the skill requirement for Express Entry's federal programs. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.
Classification
Natural resources & agriculture
8 › 85 › 851 › 8511
Definition
Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers carry out a variety of general labouring duties and operate equipment to assist in the drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells. This unit group also includes labourers who assist in geophysical prospecting for oil and gas. They are employed by drilling and well servicing contractors and by petroleum producing companies.
Main duties
Example job titles
Overview
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, "Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers" are classified under NOC code 85111. This occupation falls under TEER category 5, which comprises roles that typically require no formal educational requirements and short-term work demonstration. Individuals in this occupation carry out vital physical tasks to support oil and gas exploration and extraction, such as cleaning rig floors, shovelling drill cuttings, and assisting other crew members like drillers and derrickhands on drilling and service rigs.
Typical duties for workers in NOC 85111 include handling, sorting, and cleaning drill pipes, casing, and other equipment, as well as helping to set up and take down drilling rigs. From an immigration perspective, while TEER 5 occupations are generally excluded from the Federal Skilled Worker program under Express Entry, candidates may find pathways to Canadian permanent residency through specific Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), or other regional pilot programs tailored to semi-skilled and low-skilled workers. Employment in this field typically requires some secondary school education, on-the-job training, and safety certificates such as First Aid, H2S Alive, and WHMIS.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Commonly confused codes
Not for Express Entry's federal skilled programs — Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers is TEER 5, and TEER 4–5 occupations don't meet that skill level. Provincial streams and other pathways may still be open; run the eligibility check to see which.
Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers is classified as TEER 5 — Short work demonstration, no formal education. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.
Applicants most often mix up 85111 with 84101 (Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators). If your real day-to-day duties fit one of those codes better, that mismatch is exactly what an officer flags — double-check before you submit.
One short email when IRCC publishes a new Express Entry draw — the cutoff, invitations, and what it means. Roughly every two weeks. No spam, ever.
By subscribing you consent to receive draw-alert emails from ScoreRoute Canada. Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe. See our privacy policy for details.
Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.