Who do you know that gets 2 weeks off after every 2 weeks at work? Some rigs even work 2 on and 3 off.
The oil field is composed of people like yourself, people who are looking for the same things in life you are: job security, an interesting career, an opportunity to better themselves.
Oil Rig crews come from all walks of life - farmers, lawyers, preachers, musicians, bankers, businessmen, labourers, university graduates, medical personnel, time-served forces/military personnel, male and female alike. You will find one of every kind in the oil field.
Entry-level positions start at £500 to £800 per week. (US$750 to $1,200). Dishwashers and BR hands (who wash dishes, sweep and mop floors, put up inventory and do general house-cleaning in the living quarters) earn £600 (US$900) per week.
Roustabouts (general labourers) earn £700 to £1,000 per week. (US$1,050 to $1,500) Other entry level positions are deckhands, oilers, welder helpers, cleaner painters and so on; and there are currently plenty of openings.
Do not be discouraged by any stories you might have heard about how hard it is working on offshore oil rigs, or that they will work you to death. Naturally the work is hard, but if you are in good physical condition and are willing to work, you shouldn't have any trouble adjusting to the increased work load.
Bear in mind that an offshore oil rig job is not for everyone. It requires that you be away from home, for two weeks at a time. More often than not, the drilling vessel you are on will not even be in sight of land. It involves long hours, working in all kinds of weather and conditions.
On the plus side it is very rewarding and exciting. The food is good, the quarters are clean and well kept. Most offshore oil rigs have crew recreational facilities such as films, canteen facilities, snooker and pool, etc. Also, the benefits and opportunities for advancement are excellent. It is not uncommon for a person starting at the bottom with no previous oil field experience to be making £65,000 (US$97,500) a year, and that is for working only six months out of the year, usually by 2 weeks onboard and 2 weeks off.
Here’s some helpful information you might like to know to help you decide if working offshore is for you.
Health Requirements. The first and foremost requirement for working offshore is that you be in sound physical condition. You will be required to pass a thorough physical examination.
Age. In most cases, you must be at least 18 to work offshore for a drilling contractor. Although the average age for offshore oil rig workers is 27, there are established workers over 55 years of age, and we have recent knowledge of new entrants of over 40 years of age
Experience. The better your experience in your particular field or profession, the closer prospective employers will look you at. If you do not currently have any skill or experience that relates to the offshore oil industry, it does not mean you will not be offered employment.
Entry Level Jobs. There are many entry level positions available which require no previous offshore experience, these can be quickly learned. The most important thing is honesty. Do not misrepresent yourself, your experience, or your skills. For example, do not claim to be a pipe welder if you've only had experience on plate. Or, do not claim to be a diesel mechanic if the only experience you have is doing minor tune-ups in a garage. However, that experience will stand you in good stead with extra training.
Education. The majority of entry level rig jobs do not require a formal education as the employer is more interested in your ability to do your job well and learn quickly than in how many years you went to school. Some jobs, such as a ballast controlman, mud engineer, etc., require at least a secondary level school education. Other positions, as they get more complex, will naturally require higher levels of education.
Dependability. One of the foremost concerns of offshore employers is dependability. Regardless of how good a hand is, he isn't much good if he isn't there! One of the quickest ways to lose your job is not to show up for crew change. When you sign on with a company, you become part of a team, and it is difficult to operate when any member of the team is not present.
Interest/Ambition. Your interest and ambition will play a very important part in your getting and keeping a job, whether it be offshore or anywhere else.
The Basics. Offshore rig work is an immensely interesting field, and a keen interest in learning your job and others too, sparks ambition. Once you get in and get some basic experience you can move into many different areas involved in all phases of the offshore oil industry.
Benefits. Benefits of companies involved in the oil and gas industry range from virtually nonexistent to excellent. The better companies will provide major medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and profit sharing.
Advancement and Training. Advancement offshore will depend primarily on the company you work for and your particular abilities. All companies want you to advance. They want you to become better trained so you can take a more responsible position. Some companies have excellent training programs to help you move up the ladder with trainee slots for most positions. Other companies have only marginally efficient training programs, or none whatsoever.
Employer sponsored courses include Sea Survival Training, First Aid, Offshore Drilling Units, Marine Firefighting, and the list goes on and on. The more courses you complete, the more credentials you have when you apply for another job. What this means is the company you're working for will be financing your future.
