Anyone working offshore?
Discussion
Hi guys, the recession has bit quite hard and I have had to downsize just about everything (who hasnt) due to redundancy followed by a job at less than half my old salary.
There have been a series of jobs advertised in my local paper for off shore oil work and the salaries look impressive. Is anyone here on a rig or have they worked on a rig?
Is it worth it? What kind of work am I likely to get? I'm nearly 30 and have untill last year worked as a facility manager in the NHS, so people management, drugs, health and safety, and emergency medical treatment are my experience, Im smart and have been good at every job Ive ever had (and have references to back this up), but on paper Ive little after A Levels bar job specific training.
So does all this equal labourer or is there a chance of something better paid?
I have a girlfriend of many years but no kids or mortgage, the reason Im thinking about it is to improve the standard of life my girlfriend and I have (and to get my house/911 dreams back on track), so I dont know about seperation stress if it means a weakening of our relationship but thats a whole other issue.
There have been a series of jobs advertised in my local paper for off shore oil work and the salaries look impressive. Is anyone here on a rig or have they worked on a rig?
Is it worth it? What kind of work am I likely to get? I'm nearly 30 and have untill last year worked as a facility manager in the NHS, so people management, drugs, health and safety, and emergency medical treatment are my experience, Im smart and have been good at every job Ive ever had (and have references to back this up), but on paper Ive little after A Levels bar job specific training.
So does all this equal labourer or is there a chance of something better paid?
I have a girlfriend of many years but no kids or mortgage, the reason Im thinking about it is to improve the standard of life my girlfriend and I have (and to get my house/911 dreams back on track), so I dont know about seperation stress if it means a weakening of our relationship but thats a whole other issue.
A mate of mine is offshore in the north sea at the moment doing relief work and he is on a very impressive starting salary but as someone said you need a foot in the door and he work for a rig distribution/logistic's company before and put himself through his survival courses which is costly.
Problem is that you don't really get labourors offshore. Everyone has a skill, predominantley construction or maintenance based. If you are looking for full-time offshore work then this is the easiest way in.
You can come in through facilties management companies, like Sodexho or ESS, or as a medic if you have a medical background. Not sure what the pay is like though. As has been said, the are loads of guys on here who work offshore.
You can come in through facilties management companies, like Sodexho or ESS, or as a medic if you have a medical background. Not sure what the pay is like though. As has been said, the are loads of guys on here who work offshore.
Phone the agencies, they will give you a honest insight to getting a start as a Greenhand.
If you can afford to drop £2k on courses (BOSIET, HUET) & specialised courses to help gain employment (Banksman/Slinger/Welding/Crane Operator/Mechanical) with no real immediate chance of getting out there, then go for it. I was told I could be waiting for 6 months before being able to do my initial rig work/training as a Roustie.
Best bet would be to have a mate (already out there) that could help get you a leg up into the industry.
I'm still considering working on the Rigs, but the above doesn't fill me with glee & I don't have £2k to drop on a 'hope' of getting employment. Some Agencies have 200 people all in the same boat as you will be in. I have adjusted my sights somewhat & have been applying for contracting jobs in Iraq and the Middle East to get onto some decent money & what I hope will tie in with the Oil & Gas industry so I will hopefully get a start that way.
I guess your chances of gaining a position on the Rigs will depend heavily on what your previous experience is & what Qualifications you hold. The above is just an example of my situation.
If you can afford to drop £2k on courses (BOSIET, HUET) & specialised courses to help gain employment (Banksman/Slinger/Welding/Crane Operator/Mechanical) with no real immediate chance of getting out there, then go for it. I was told I could be waiting for 6 months before being able to do my initial rig work/training as a Roustie.
Best bet would be to have a mate (already out there) that could help get you a leg up into the industry.
I'm still considering working on the Rigs, but the above doesn't fill me with glee & I don't have £2k to drop on a 'hope' of getting employment. Some Agencies have 200 people all in the same boat as you will be in. I have adjusted my sights somewhat & have been applying for contracting jobs in Iraq and the Middle East to get onto some decent money & what I hope will tie in with the Oil & Gas industry so I will hopefully get a start that way.
I guess your chances of gaining a position on the Rigs will depend heavily on what your previous experience is & what Qualifications you hold. The above is just an example of my situation.
Edited by VidalBaboon on Wednesday 7th March 10:18
Excellent replies guys, Ill check out the scottish forums and get on to the agencies, TBH I dont care whether Iraq or North Sea, just need a job with decent pay attached to see me through a few years, or hopefully Ill like it and itll be a career.
I met a friend of a friend few times who works on rigs as a mechanic, Ill see if I can get in touch with him again for the foot in the door, but as far as qualifications goes its all medical and management orientated, so complete retrain required or do a nurses degree?
I met a friend of a friend few times who works on rigs as a mechanic, Ill see if I can get in touch with him again for the foot in the door, but as far as qualifications goes its all medical and management orientated, so complete retrain required or do a nurses degree?
It sounds like you would be suited more as a medic or maybe in an administration role, I'm not sure exactly what level of training the medics have but no that they are not qualified doctors, the highest qualified I came across was a Paramedic. There are also other roles such as Planner, Permit co-ordinator etc that is desk based administration work offshore that maybe suitable. Also don't discount working on vessels in fact I'd say it would be far more preferable than being on a rig. Vessels tend to be much happier places to work in my opiniion. Posted from a DSV in the North Sea.
I have been in the industry for around 20 years. I got a start as a "tender" on a DSV and moved on from there and have been all over the world and and have been with an IOC for the last 12 years' and currently have a very senior position (now wanting to downgrade!)
It can has been tough and I have missed my three kids growing up! That said I am off to KLCC in Malaysia for a beer!
ATB..... But remember he who rides the Tiger can not get off... Ironic but oh so true :-(
It can has been tough and I have missed my three kids growing up! That said I am off to KLCC in Malaysia for a beer!
ATB..... But remember he who rides the Tiger can not get off... Ironic but oh so true :-(
I have only been working offshore for about 18 months after 12 years as an aircraft tech. From my limited experience, and as has been mentioned previously, to be taken seriously getting your Boiset, Huet and for the North Sea, MIST training done would be good. I believe from memory I paid £950 for a weeks course with Petrofac.
The next thing would be to target the areas you want to work, Production, Drilling, Exploration etc. Where in the world? North Sea has reasonable money, but bearing in mind that unless you end up and 2 on 3 off rotation with the benefit of extra time off, and instead work a 2 and 2 or 3 and 3, you are on significantly less than those on international contracts who work 4 and 4.
Medics I have come across, are usually either paramedics with an ex-forces background or are fully fledged Doctors.
Your facilities management skills could be used by companies such as ESS, as (and i speak for drilling rigs so can't comment on other types of installations) have Camp Bosses. Responsible for the cleaning, food, provisions etc of the rig.
Another avenue could be RSTC, now this might be company specific to my company. But these guys are responsible for ensuring everyone adheres to safety standards, carrying out post incident reports, booking courses for personnel etc. The bonus is that they get a nice air-conditioned office, and the work isn't manual.
As for working offshore...you get paid well for a reason, 28 days on wipes me out, I come home and it takes me about a week to recover. I cram 12 months living into 6, and miss out on a lot of social events etc. But if you want the cash go for it.
The next thing would be to target the areas you want to work, Production, Drilling, Exploration etc. Where in the world? North Sea has reasonable money, but bearing in mind that unless you end up and 2 on 3 off rotation with the benefit of extra time off, and instead work a 2 and 2 or 3 and 3, you are on significantly less than those on international contracts who work 4 and 4.
Medics I have come across, are usually either paramedics with an ex-forces background or are fully fledged Doctors.
Your facilities management skills could be used by companies such as ESS, as (and i speak for drilling rigs so can't comment on other types of installations) have Camp Bosses. Responsible for the cleaning, food, provisions etc of the rig.
Another avenue could be RSTC, now this might be company specific to my company. But these guys are responsible for ensuring everyone adheres to safety standards, carrying out post incident reports, booking courses for personnel etc. The bonus is that they get a nice air-conditioned office, and the work isn't manual.
As for working offshore...you get paid well for a reason, 28 days on wipes me out, I come home and it takes me about a week to recover. I cram 12 months living into 6, and miss out on a lot of social events etc. But if you want the cash go for it.
swifthobo said:
On this sort of topic how far would I get I.e supply vessels and such like with a STCW95 basic training Mca recognised apprently?
I assume you are trying to say you have an MCA STCW 95 Certificate of Competency? If so is it deck or engine and what kind of work have you done previously?Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff