Oil and Gas. Compex and ATEX training.

[Laplace]

I'm an Electrician currently working in the DC Telecomms sector, mainly installing UPS equipment.

My father in law to be has worked in oil and gas for 25+ years and he reckons he can get my foot in the door somewhere and has been handing my CV out to a few mates in the industry etc.

Now, he's had a reply from someone saying that if I had Compex or ATEX training they could probably get me a start in an Electrical Inspectors role. At the moment he's stuck in a mountain range in Yemen so I have pretty much no contact with him for the next week or so and was looking for some advice on which course I should be taking.

I've found this Compex course for hazardous areas which seems the most suitable to me but he also mentioned ATEX, is one or the other more beneficial?

Any advice would be greatly received.

Many thanks.

[Jazzerd]

Not sure about ATEX training but I did the Forth Valley course a few years ago although I thought it was parts 01-05.. At the time I did it nearly everyone there was working offshore and had sat the course before.

Edited by Jazzerd on Wednesday 7th March 21:46

[Laplace]

Jazzerd said:

Not sure about ATEX training but I did the Forth Valley course a few years ago although I thought it was parts 01-05.. At the time I did it nearly everyone there was working offshore and had sat the course before.

How was the course? Fairly accessible for someone in the electrical industry? Tough final exam?

Cheers

[ryandoc]

That course is correct the minimum is Modules EX01 to EX04. It should cover you for ATEX also. Give the course supplier a quick ring to confirm but as mentioned EX01 to EX04 will be what's required as a minimum.

[davidexige]

All electrical equipment offshore has to conform to a minimum Ex standard, it sounds like the job you may be offered is an Ex inspector, which basically entails going round and checking that the equipment currently conforms to the appropriate standard.
Almost all electricians working offshore will have completed the Compex course and Forth Valley College is just one of the providers. I seem to remember the course is mixture of classroom and practical training. The exam was made up of four multi choice papers, a practical assessment consisting of wiring up various enclosures in different Ex zones also ensuring the correct cable and glands for those zones are used and finally you have to do three or four inspections on Ex rated equipment. It’s nothing to worry about as it will all be covered in the course.
ATEX is just a European directive which specifies the requirement that manufactures must comply with when manufacturing explosion proof equipment, again it will all be covered on the course.

Edited by davidexige on Monday 12th March 13:49