Oil and Gas

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jellywire9

Original Poster:

36 posts

155 months

Sunday 16th February 2014
quotequote all
A friend of mine is earning a substantial amount of money working on a rig as an electrician. It has got me thinking what if any roles I could do in that industry.

I'm degree educated and currently work in logistics managing a team of 60 people. Could I get into the industry without an engineering background and if so what kind of roles would I be looking at?

Sorry if this is a bit vague!

Any help/input appreciated!

1Jholmes

22 posts

121 months

Sunday 16th February 2014
quotequote all
I propose logistic roles.

Oilcareers.com

Parsnip

3,122 posts

187 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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jellywire9 said:
A friend of mine is earning a substantial amount of money working on a rig as an electrician. It has got me thinking what if any roles I could do in that industry.
...
Sorry if this is a bit vague!


There are numerous threads on here about people trying hard to get offshore - the ones who want to "work offshore" (as what, a Cleaner? Cook? Driller? Sparky? Engineer? DP operator?) because the money is huge are not usually the same people who end up getting offshore.

The question you need to ask is what would make you useful on a rig - what is your degree? What is your experience level? Do you have experience of working in a HSE driven environment? Are you willing to travel? Are you willing to relocate?

Working on a rig isn't all huge money and rotation - its huge money for a reason and is notoriously difficult to get into - especially if you don't really know what to do and just see the dollar signs.

I know that comes across as a bit harsh, but like I said, getting offshore is notoriously difficult if you don't have a very specific skill or a real drive to do it. Again, look at threads on here with people paying for their HUET etc. out of their own pocket.


m3coupe

1,104 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
Parsnip said:
There are numerous threads on here about people trying hard to get offshore - the ones who want to "work offshore" (as what, a Cleaner? Cook? Driller? Sparky? Engineer? DP operator?) because the money is huge are not usually the same people who end up getting offshore.

The question you need to ask is what would make you useful on a rig - what is your degree? What is your experience level? Do you have experience of working in a HSE driven environment? Are you willing to travel? Are you willing to relocate?

Working on a rig isn't all huge money and rotation - its huge money for a reason and is notoriously difficult to get into - especially if you don't really know what to do and just see the dollar signs.

I know that comes across as a bit harsh, but like I said, getting offshore is notoriously difficult if you don't have a very specific skill or a real drive to do it. Again, look at threads on here with people paying for their HUET etc. out of their own pocket.
This is very good advice. Don't just think you'll get a job because you want one. Look at your present skills and see where they could fit in. Once you have an idea, look at what courses you need to do to become eligible for the posts.

Unless you are very lucky, you'll need to do your offshore safety courses yourself. My brother in law spent months doing the courses then calling recruitment companies every day until he eventually got his first trip.

If you have a trade it will be easier as you will be attractive to employers but the nature of the business is dangerous and employers are reluctant to take on new starts with no experience or trades due to the very real possibility of getting injured.

dingg

3,974 posts

218 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
m3coupe said:
This is very good advice. Don't just think you'll get a job because you want one. Look at your present skills and see where they could fit in. Once you have an idea, look at what courses you need to do to become eligible for the posts.

Unless you are very lucky, you'll need to do your offshore safety courses yourself. My brother in law spent months doing the courses then calling recruitment companies every day until he eventually got his first trip.

If you have a trade it will be easier as you will be attractive to employers but the nature of the business is dangerous and employers are reluctant to take on new starts with no experience or trades due to the very real possibility of getting injured.
and the very real possibility of giving it a go , and not being able to handle , the ste hours ste grub , tossers in the industry etc etc etc so only do a couple of trips and jack.....

due off tomorrow but may be weathered on - again!!!!
this may have a bearing on my grumpiness rolleyes

1Jholmes

22 posts

121 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
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Foods always been great smile

z4chris99

11,219 posts

178 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
the brother works offshore

had engineering degree
3 years drilling management in indo, Thailand, oman
then a masters in petroleum eng at Herriot watt
then got on a grad scheme
doesn't earn much. like 35/40?


my mate worked offshore as a sparky, just got lucky. he now works onshore placing people offshore and earns good 6 figures

Gazzas86

1,707 posts

170 months

Wednesday 19th February 2014
quotequote all
Gents, are all your experiences mainly with Rigs, I'll be looking to go on Vessels Aug next year when my time in the Navy comes to an end. I've written my CV/covering letter which is not specific to a certain role, just a generic technical role, either ROV / tech (elec) etc, i have quite a few pals offshore working for Subsea 7 / Saipem / Ocean Installer / Expro etc, all have given me contacts to send my CV to etc, are there any other good places/companies to send my CV to? Someone mentioned OilCareers is a good place, only if you keep your CV updated etc.

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
z4chris99 said:
the brother works offshore

had engineering degree
3 years drilling management in indo, Thailand, oman
then a masters in petroleum eng at Herriot watt
then got on a grad scheme
doesn't earn much. like 35/40?


my mate worked offshore as a sparky, just got lucky. he now works onshore placing people offshore and earns good 6 figures
With all due respect, hes doing it wrong if thats all he earns.

Presumably he's gone from grad into a staff role. The real money is in operations or contracting, this is coming from my own experience as an ex oil and gas safety systems engineer with offshore experience.

Now in pharma.

z4chris99

11,219 posts

178 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
Pete102 said:
With all due respect, hes doing it wrong if thats all he earns.

Presumably he's gone from grad into a staff role. The real money is in operations or contracting, this is coming from my own experience as an ex oil and gas safety systems engineer with offshore experience.

Now in pharma.
he is doing it wrong, he used to earn double / triple at his old place, but it was with a family friend and he wanted to go his own way.

hes now at Schlumberger, he does some kind of drilling st, sitting in a container on a rig staring at screens i think.

1Jholmes

22 posts

121 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
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Logging

johnfm

13,668 posts

249 months

Thursday 20th February 2014
quotequote all
z4chris99 said:
Pete102 said:
With all due respect, hes doing it wrong if thats all he earns.

Presumably he's gone from grad into a staff role. The real money is in operations or contracting, this is coming from my own experience as an ex oil and gas safety systems engineer with offshore experience.

Now in pharma.
he is doing it wrong, he used to earn double / triple at his old place, but it was with a family friend and he wanted to go his own way.

hes now at Schlumberger, he does some kind of drilling st, sitting in a container on a rig staring at screens i think.
Schlumberger were offering grad mech eng recruits $100k 20 years ago - so I would be surprised if they are paying so poorly now.

z4chris99

11,219 posts

178 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
I don't know the exact figure, I know he started on 28k, and has only just started getting his rig bonus and paying 40% tax, so I'm assuming he's on 35/40

either way it's not big bucks

1Jholmes

22 posts

121 months

Friday 21st February 2014
quotequote all
johnfm said:
Schlumberger were offering grad mech eng recruits $100k 20 years ago - so I would be surprised if they are paying so poorly now.
They now own geo services.

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Theres your first mistake right there wink, where as your referring to a BMS to building management systems, O&G refer to BMS as 'Burner Management Systems' (which incidently are specialised areas).

What is your experience with distributed control network technology? just about every rig/plant going will have a Distributed Control System (DCS), Emergency Shutdown system (ESD) and Fire & Gas detection system (FGS). If you wanted to get into the automation side of things your best bet is to try and get in as a field engineer with one of the big system vendors such as Emerson (deltaV), ABB (800xA) or Siements (PCS7).

To do this you would need to shell out for your own training I'd imagine, and these courses dont come cheap, however, generally automation engineers are in demand.

I used to work for a company dealing with the integration of systems to other systems i.e. common system visualisation, control and signal hand-offs mostly using Profibus, Modbus and good old hard wired dig/anag signals. As you correctly put, I kind of migrated into the role from an electrical/instrumentation design and engineering role.

Thats your other route into this kind of stuff, become an instrumentation designer, to do this you will require a HNC (which you can do open-learning at Teesside university) but sadly, its not cheap (3.5k last time I checked) and it will take you a minimum of a year, probably 2.

Just remember, investment in engineering qualifications is rarely wasted and you can usually ALWAYS find work around the country which pays well. Going rate for an instrumentation designer (contract) is anywhere between £25 - £32 p/hour. Engineers rates £40+ rising to £55-60 for chartership (more in aberdeen). Feel free to ask any other queries and I'll help out where possible.

Edited by Pete102 on Monday 24th February 11:21

jonesyx

56 posts

221 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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There is massive demand for controls engineers but as someone said its with experience of the relevant systems. Get on linkedin and start connecting with agencies etc.

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Monday 24th February 2014
quotequote all
Toxic,

If anything it shows you have the sort of logical approach required for programming systems so your onto a winner already. 'Most' industrial control systems use function blocks consisting of embedded logic gates designed to take an input (process sensor) process and combine it with other inputs to give an output...not unlike building management systems I'd imagine.

I'd be looking at something along the following lines from Teesside (or local provider):

http://www.tees.ac.uk/parttime_courses/Engineering...

with the following modules:

Core Modules:
Analytical Methods for Engineers
Engineering Science
Instrumentation and Control Principles
Project Engineering

Optional Modules:
Combinational and Sequential Logic
Control Systems and Automation
Distributed Control Systems
Plant and Process Principles

That would give you a recognised qualification and solid grounding in industrial control systems on O&G plants, pharma, petrochem, whatever you like.

I don't want to put a dampner on things but its VERY difficult to get into O&G without either knowing someone or holding prior qualification. Its quite a closed industry in that respect.

There was another option which I failed to mention during my previous post, thats go down the operators route i.e. apply to become a trainee operator on the rigs, but as you can imagine these posisions are hotly contested.

Out of interest where in the UK are you?

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Monday 24th February 2014
quotequote all
Not necessarily!, theres lots of gas platforms off Yarmouth, flying out of Norwich (which I know isnt exactly London, but its not Aberdeen!)

Theres also quite a few consultancies down in London. To give you an idea of the type of company you should be looking at see:

http://www.servelec-group.com/Automation/Controls....

Granted they are based in Rotherham, but theres also ABB which are based in St Neots, easily commutable by train.


GT03ROB

13,207 posts

220 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Really? scratchchin

Don't let these North Sea boys convince you of that....

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Tuesday 25th February 2014
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toxic

its a distance learning course smile, no need to attend teesside at all.