<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-03-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001368519</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>North American Energy Partners Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001058854</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CANNELL CAPITAL LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>245 MERIWETHER CIRCLE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ALTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>83414</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-03-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.26</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3002991</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By partnerships and corporations</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-03-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2057</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>5.22</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3005048</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By partnerships and corporations</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As of March 26, 2018, Tonga Partners, LP, Cuttyhunk II Fund, Tristan Partners, LP, Tristan Offshore Fund, Ltd. and sundry separately managed accounts (collectively the &quot;Cannell Investment Vehicles&quot;) owned in the aggregate 3,005,048 shares of the common stock of North American Energy Partners, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Cannell Capital LLC acts as the investment sub-adviser to the Cuttyhunk II Fund, the investment advisor to the sundry separately managed accounts, and serves as the general partner of and investment adviser to Tonga Partners, LP, Tristan Partners, LP and Tristan Offshore Fund, Ltd. J. Carlo Cannell is the sole managing member of Cannell Capital LLC. As such, Mr. Cannell possesses sole power to vote and direct the disposition of all securities of North American Energy Partners, Inc. held by the Cannell Investment Vehicles. Thus, for the purposes of Reg. Section 240.13d-3, as of March 26, 2018, Mr. Cannell beneficially owns 3,005,048 shares. Mr. Cannell's interest in the securities reported herein is limited to the extent of his pecuniary interest in each of the Cannell Investment Vehicles, if any.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ J. Carlo Cannell, on behalf of Cannell Capital LLC</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-03-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
