How is the oil/gas insdustry fairing in Aberdeen right now?
Discussion
Hi all,
I posted here a year or so regarding starting a career in the oil and gas industry in the UK - at the time everyone was strongly recommending I get into the industry because business was booming and the opportunities were great. Since then however I have read threads on here about many of the big players (BP, Shell etc) cutting thousands of jobs - I think that was back in January. So how are things now in the UK O&G industry? And how will things be around Sept 2010 when I will be due to start?
To give you an idea of my circumstances, I reside in Glasgow and come next May I ought to have at least a 2:1 Masters degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering. I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in? Some people I habe spoken to have said that I'll definitely be out on the rigs if I start as a graduate but im spectical of this - can anyone confirm whether this would be the case? Im looking to work for the likes of Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc
Kind regards,
Agar
I posted here a year or so regarding starting a career in the oil and gas industry in the UK - at the time everyone was strongly recommending I get into the industry because business was booming and the opportunities were great. Since then however I have read threads on here about many of the big players (BP, Shell etc) cutting thousands of jobs - I think that was back in January. So how are things now in the UK O&G industry? And how will things be around Sept 2010 when I will be due to start?
To give you an idea of my circumstances, I reside in Glasgow and come next May I ought to have at least a 2:1 Masters degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering. I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in? Some people I habe spoken to have said that I'll definitely be out on the rigs if I start as a graduate but im spectical of this - can anyone confirm whether this would be the case? Im looking to work for the likes of Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc
Kind regards,
Agar
I run a little design business with about 70% O&G client base. And getting paid is difficult now and we are being strangled, by companies who you would think are "blue chip". Some of my piers have folded around half from never being paid at all!
However personally I feel the O&G industry still has a lot of dead wood, however there still is work for those who are good at what they do, same goes for any industry, its a commodity we need every bit as much as we ever had. Perhaps less big players will make it a more interesting place to be certainly after the recent expo (Offshore Europe 2009) which was in Aberdeen earlier this month had a very upbeat approach which was refreshing given the doom mongering elsewhere. My best clients are the SME's the big players you think would carry the kudos at the moment aren't. The middleweight, leaner, fresher companies are making waves in some areas. And in some respects its needed as some parts of the industry still work on legacy technology from by gone eras. This aside, recent years have been very good to a lot of big players those who haven't been to greedy with speculative wealth are still in a very good way, others on paper wealth a few years ago aren't doing so hot!
As a resource we are having to go further, hotter and its harder to get which makes it more of a challenge. I cant see a reason against starting a career in O&G at the moment its not nerw and fresh but it does require more challanges for the future, its not easy money anymore which is maybe a good thing.
However personally I feel the O&G industry still has a lot of dead wood, however there still is work for those who are good at what they do, same goes for any industry, its a commodity we need every bit as much as we ever had. Perhaps less big players will make it a more interesting place to be certainly after the recent expo (Offshore Europe 2009) which was in Aberdeen earlier this month had a very upbeat approach which was refreshing given the doom mongering elsewhere. My best clients are the SME's the big players you think would carry the kudos at the moment aren't. The middleweight, leaner, fresher companies are making waves in some areas. And in some respects its needed as some parts of the industry still work on legacy technology from by gone eras. This aside, recent years have been very good to a lot of big players those who haven't been to greedy with speculative wealth are still in a very good way, others on paper wealth a few years ago aren't doing so hot!
As a resource we are having to go further, hotter and its harder to get which makes it more of a challenge. I cant see a reason against starting a career in O&G at the moment its not nerw and fresh but it does require more challanges for the future, its not easy money anymore which is maybe a good thing.
Still lots of work and new projects in the Northern North Sea for the Noggies and we're seeing a lot of offshore projects in the Middle East. Bit less in West Africa than in the last few years.
I'm pretty pleased with the workload for the coming year. I escaped a rate cut this year and am hoping for an increase in January.
North Sea Decommissioning is becoming a big thing - there's enough work to more than see out my career (I'm 29) if I choose to really specialise in that.
I'm pretty pleased with the workload for the coming year. I escaped a rate cut this year and am hoping for an increase in January.
North Sea Decommissioning is becoming a big thing - there's enough work to more than see out my career (I'm 29) if I choose to really specialise in that.
AGAR said:
Hi all,
I posted here a year or so regarding starting a career in the oil and gas industry in the UK - at the time everyone was strongly recommending I get into the industry because business was booming and the opportunities were great. Since then however I have read threads on here about many of the big players (BP, Shell etc) cutting thousands of jobs - I think that was back in January. So how are things now in the UK O&G industry? And how will things be around Sept 2010 when I will be due to start?
To give you an idea of my circumstances, I reside in Glasgow and come next May I ought to have at least a 2:1 Masters degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering. I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in? Some people I habe spoken to have said that I'll definitely be out on the rigs if I start as a graduate but im spectical of this - can anyone confirm whether this would be the case? Im looking to work for the likes of Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc
Kind regards,
Agar
Do you mind me asking why you're so keen to stay onshore? You'll learn an awful lot offshore (and earn a bit of professional respect) by doing it... I posted here a year or so regarding starting a career in the oil and gas industry in the UK - at the time everyone was strongly recommending I get into the industry because business was booming and the opportunities were great. Since then however I have read threads on here about many of the big players (BP, Shell etc) cutting thousands of jobs - I think that was back in January. So how are things now in the UK O&G industry? And how will things be around Sept 2010 when I will be due to start?
To give you an idea of my circumstances, I reside in Glasgow and come next May I ought to have at least a 2:1 Masters degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering. I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in? Some people I habe spoken to have said that I'll definitely be out on the rigs if I start as a graduate but im spectical of this - can anyone confirm whether this would be the case? Im looking to work for the likes of Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc
Kind regards,
Agar
AGAR said:
I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in?
I think you should broaden your horizons and consider working offshore as a training ground. When you leave Uni, you'll have a piece of paper which confirms you have the academic abilities, but spending some time "on the tools" at the coal face will pay dividends in a few years into your career. I've seen a lot of keen young guys over last 6-8 years who have done a couple of trips offshore & think that they've now done the offshore bit, but it's come back to bite them as they lack practical experience in a technical role - assuming that's technical role is what your after (just my 2p worth!) duka said:
AGAR said:
I am looking to get into the O&G industry but keep my feet on the mainland, working onshore. What sort of jobs/roles can graduates with similar backgrounds to myself get involved in?
I think you should broaden your horizons and consider working offshore as a training ground. When you leave Uni, you'll have a piece of paper which confirms you have the academic abilities, but spending some time "on the tools" at the coal face will pay dividends in a few years into your career. I've seen a lot of keen young guys over last 6-8 years who have done a couple of trips offshore & think that they've now done the offshore bit, but it's come back to bite them as they lack practical experience in a technical role - assuming that's technical role is what your after (just my 2p worth!) 
I'm surrounded by them right now, very bright, but not a clue as to how it REALLY operates. Then getting them up to speed takes all the longer......Thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated. I guess perhaps the thought of working on a rig scares me a bit; I'd have no idea what I would be letting myself in for really. Whats it like working on them, both from a day-to-day work point of view, and a family & personal life viewpoint? Do most people like it, or are there a lot who start and just can't stick it for long?
Roy - thats a bit disheartening to hear that the big companies are less likely to take electrical/electronics people on. On their (Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc) websites they all seem to offer places for graduate E C or I people - surely this would be applicable to myself? You also mention about being the bottom of the pay order, how low are we talking about? And what are the future earnings prospects?
I guess what I'm really trying to decide from a personal point of view is whether or not the work in the industry (anti-socail hours etc) is worth the pay packet, especailly if what Roy says is true.
Thanks
Roy - thats a bit disheartening to hear that the big companies are less likely to take electrical/electronics people on. On their (Shell, BP, Exxonmobil etc) websites they all seem to offer places for graduate E C or I people - surely this would be applicable to myself? You also mention about being the bottom of the pay order, how low are we talking about? And what are the future earnings prospects?
I guess what I'm really trying to decide from a personal point of view is whether or not the work in the industry (anti-socail hours etc) is worth the pay packet, especailly if what Roy says is true.
Thanks
It's the whole deal that's great. You get paid well, travel around if you choose, get to see some of the heaviest engineering on the planet too. It's an incredibly exciting industry to work in.
Don't worry about offshore, sure it takes a bit to get used to, but you're normally surrounded by great guys with a good work ethic who're up for a laugh!
If you can get on a Graduate recruitment scheme, then do, but they are tough to make! It's the only side that keeps going through staff cutbacks, downturns etc.
Don't worry about offshore, sure it takes a bit to get used to, but you're normally surrounded by great guys with a good work ethic who're up for a laugh!
If you can get on a Graduate recruitment scheme, then do, but they are tough to make! It's the only side that keeps going through staff cutbacks, downturns etc.
I wouldn't restrict my choice to the oil majors. You will probably learn more quicker by working for an SME, but have more chance of employment with the Woodgroups, PSN's etc. In other words, try them all. The oil show had a great buzz this year. I remember being told to brace for the decommissioning of my first rig in 1990 by Shell, and its still there now. The industry has always had its share of doom and gloom merchants and thouroughly miserable B***ds. Ignore them all, get a job and enjoy it. Dont make the mistake of having too high initial expectations just because you have qualifications, you have it all to learn. Once you have the experience, the degree status and expectations can kick in.
I echo the comments above getting practical experience is essential as some of the engineers we have to deal with can be a nightmare as they know in theory how it works but in practice it is usually completely the opposite.
The graduate programmes are good and if you get into one of them that gives you an offshore rotation to do the engineer side of things offshore don't turn up and act like you know everything just because you have to letters after your name, it's the quickest way to p
s off us lads that know and work with the plant every day and we will just ignore you and let you make a fool of your self.
The graduate programmes are good and if you get into one of them that gives you an offshore rotation to do the engineer side of things offshore don't turn up and act like you know everything just because you have to letters after your name, it's the quickest way to p
s off us lads that know and work with the plant every day and we will just ignore you and let you make a fool of your self. Can I ask what SME and PSN's are?
Don't get me wrong, im under no illusion that my degree means I don't have to start at the bottom. Uni teaches you very little in terms of "real world" engineering IMHO, its only just a way of proving your committment and determination with something. Hence why im looking forward to getting out there and getting experience - I just wasn't sure if I'd have to go out on the rigs or not.
How do you guys manage with your family life when your away? Is it difficult? I consider myself as a very career driven person, but recently I've not been so sure of leaving seemingly everything behind to go onto the rigs.
Don't get me wrong, im under no illusion that my degree means I don't have to start at the bottom. Uni teaches you very little in terms of "real world" engineering IMHO, its only just a way of proving your committment and determination with something. Hence why im looking forward to getting out there and getting experience - I just wasn't sure if I'd have to go out on the rigs or not.
How do you guys manage with your family life when your away? Is it difficult? I consider myself as a very career driven person, but recently I've not been so sure of leaving seemingly everything behind to go onto the rigs.
Edited by AGAR on Monday 28th September 20:58
mate fancy meeting you here 
i used to work offshore, now work in the office.
i loved offshore life and the time away really isn't that bad. all you're washing done and meals cooked with no wife there to nag you. sometimes it felt more like my work time at home rather than away LOL
don't rule it out.
i used to work offshore, now work in the office.
i loved offshore life and the time away really isn't that bad. all you're washing done and meals cooked with no wife there to nag you. sometimes it felt more like my work time at home rather than away LOL
don't rule it out.
Lambchopski said:
mate fancy meeting you here
i used to work offshore, now work in the office.
i loved offshore life and the time away really isn't that bad. all you're washing done and meals cooked with no wife there to nag you. sometimes it felt more like my work time at home rather than away LOL
don't rule it out.
How do Chop?i used to work offshore, now work in the office.
i loved offshore life and the time away really isn't that bad. all you're washing done and meals cooked with no wife there to nag you. sometimes it felt more like my work time at home rather than away LOL
don't rule it out.
The way you put it, its like a holiday
- certainly a good way of looking at it. What is your job description, project engineer/manager? Are you still heading off to the Congo? I'm definitely not ruling it out, just want to be well informed before making any final decisions. Its a bit scarey deciding on your career path....AGAR said:
[
How do Chop?
The way you put it, its like a holiday - certainly a good way of looking at it. What is your job description, project engineer/manager? Are you still heading off to the Congo? I'm definitely not ruling it out, just want to be well informed before making any final decisions. Its a bit scarey deciding on your career path....
Fine mate thanks How do Chop?
The way you put it, its like a holiday
- certainly a good way of looking at it. What is your job description, project engineer/manager? Are you still heading off to the Congo? I'm definitely not ruling it out, just want to be well informed before making any final decisions. Its a bit scarey deciding on your career path....
Signed my life away today and leave in 2 weeks probably! Crapping it lol
I'm a project engineer. Mud Engineer to trade.
Lambchopski said:
AGAR said:
[
How do Chop?
The way you put it, its like a holiday - certainly a good way of looking at it. What is your job description, project engineer/manager? Are you still heading off to the Congo? I'm definitely not ruling it out, just want to be well informed before making any final decisions. Its a bit scarey deciding on your career path....
Fine mate thanks How do Chop?
The way you put it, its like a holiday
- certainly a good way of looking at it. What is your job description, project engineer/manager? Are you still heading off to the Congo? I'm definitely not ruling it out, just want to be well informed before making any final decisions. Its a bit scarey deciding on your career path....Signed my life away today and leave in 2 weeks probably! Crapping it lol
I'm a project engineer. Mud Engineer to trade.
I'd like to become a project engineer - im a long way from it though
Cheers,
Agar
Evening folks. First post here and was just having a nose about when i saw this thread...
I currently have an HND in Civil Engineering but have never worked offshore. I was just wondering if Civil Engineering is a transferable skill to a role offshore at all?
If so, would an HND be acceptable and how would i go about moving into the sector?
Cheers,
Ross
I currently have an HND in Civil Engineering but have never worked offshore. I was just wondering if Civil Engineering is a transferable skill to a role offshore at all?
If so, would an HND be acceptable and how would i go about moving into the sector?
Cheers,
Ross
Things seem to be on the ramp up. We have just been taken over by a large utility plc to secure gas supplies, and they are making noises about aquiring even more assets in the North Sea, so there is certianly life in the old dog yet, and certianly seems to be more 'hire' than 'fire'!
Petrofac (large service company) seem to be winning everything, everywhere just now and have a very healthy back order book.
O & G majors will start to move out of UKCS, and Shell seem to be a recurring name that are looking to offload and get out. BP still seem to be committed after swapping out their drilling contractor on a 5 year plus 6 year option contract.
All in all, quiet optimisim in Aberdeen just now.
Martin
Petrofac (large service company) seem to be winning everything, everywhere just now and have a very healthy back order book.
O & G majors will start to move out of UKCS, and Shell seem to be a recurring name that are looking to offload and get out. BP still seem to be committed after swapping out their drilling contractor on a 5 year plus 6 year option contract.
All in all, quiet optimisim in Aberdeen just now.
Martin
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