Exhibit 99.8

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES –OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 (the “Report”) of North American Energy Partners Inc. (the “Company”), the undersigned, in the capacity and on the date indicated below, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: June 2, 2011

/S/ RODNEY J. RUSTON

Name: Rodney J. Ruston

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer