Oil Rigs - that old chestnut.
Discussion
Chaps,
I know it's a thread that crops up from time to time so apologies for going over old ground (or if I've missed the recent one) but it seemed better than bumping threads from a few years ago. Basically, I'm thinking about getting back off dry land and into a job where I can get my hands dirty.
I'm 31 and left the merchant navy fairly soon after cadetship to do a bit of freelancing shoreside. Was only supposed to be temporary but the money was great and I never bothered going back. I started a side-business as a hobby that ended up taking over, which I've got rid of now. I've an idea of where I want to be in a few years, and to bridge the gap going offshore is pretty much ideal.
Qualifications wise - I've an HND in Marine Engineering (and the rest of the STCW95 fluff) from South Tyneside, also in the process of adding PMP project management certification as I thought it could help later down the line. Haven't got my BOSIET, MIST, HUET etc but I can have them in no time and am willing to pay myself through them if needs be.
I'm British but living in the US, happy to travel just about anywhere that will take me and do pretty much any rotation. No aversion to grotty places, happy to work in disgusting heat or freezing cold etc. Whatever it takes, basically.
I know how hard it can be getting face to face with recruiters and O&G companies, and I appreciate the few years gap in my CV might not work to my advantage.
Any chance the merchant stuff could help me get a foot in? I know experience counts for more, and I don't have much of offshore, so I'm happy to take entry level / junior to get a start.
Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what the US based crowd are like compared to the north sea I'd be interested to hear.
Any tips gratefully received
I know it's a thread that crops up from time to time so apologies for going over old ground (or if I've missed the recent one) but it seemed better than bumping threads from a few years ago. Basically, I'm thinking about getting back off dry land and into a job where I can get my hands dirty.
I'm 31 and left the merchant navy fairly soon after cadetship to do a bit of freelancing shoreside. Was only supposed to be temporary but the money was great and I never bothered going back. I started a side-business as a hobby that ended up taking over, which I've got rid of now. I've an idea of where I want to be in a few years, and to bridge the gap going offshore is pretty much ideal.
Qualifications wise - I've an HND in Marine Engineering (and the rest of the STCW95 fluff) from South Tyneside, also in the process of adding PMP project management certification as I thought it could help later down the line. Haven't got my BOSIET, MIST, HUET etc but I can have them in no time and am willing to pay myself through them if needs be.
I'm British but living in the US, happy to travel just about anywhere that will take me and do pretty much any rotation. No aversion to grotty places, happy to work in disgusting heat or freezing cold etc. Whatever it takes, basically.
I know how hard it can be getting face to face with recruiters and O&G companies, and I appreciate the few years gap in my CV might not work to my advantage.
Any chance the merchant stuff could help me get a foot in? I know experience counts for more, and I don't have much of offshore, so I'm happy to take entry level / junior to get a start.
Also, if anyone has any thoughts on what the US based crowd are like compared to the north sea I'd be interested to hear.
Any tips gratefully received
Stu R said:
Also, anyone heard anything about Halliburton in terms of what they're like to work for?
What do you need to know about them?My Father has worked for them for 20 odd years moving around in the oil rigs/services departments.
Anything I cant ask I can send out an email and he will be honest about it.
From my research the MN training won't hold too much weight on a rig as such but you should definitely look into the O&G ships in the north sea, Nigeria, gulf of Mexico etc... Drill ships, supply ships, survery ships. All well paid and often have good 1 for 1, 3 week rotations etc...
Look into Stenna Drilling, they seem to be recruiting alot just now for crew on their drill ships - paying big money too by all accounts.
DP experience will help if you have any from your MN days.
Above is a path I'd like to follow when I'm fed up where i am now (cruise ship ETO).
Look into Stenna Drilling, they seem to be recruiting alot just now for crew on their drill ships - paying big money too by all accounts.
DP experience will help if you have any from your MN days.
Above is a path I'd like to follow when I'm fed up where i am now (cruise ship ETO).
Du1point8 said:
What do you need to know about them?
My Father has worked for them for 20 odd years moving around in the oil rigs/services departments.
Anything I cant ask I can send out an email and he will be honest about it.
Just a general overview really. Not encountered any of their guys in my travels - interested in the general fluff like if they're ok to work for, working conditions, benefits and pay compared to others, usual stuff really, nothing too specific.also whether it's contract or,day rate with them usually, I was told contract is more usual but a quick google suggests it might not be the case.My Father has worked for them for 20 odd years moving around in the oil rigs/services departments.
Anything I cant ask I can send out an email and he will be honest about it.
Thanks for the info guys. I've got a few weeks to kill so I'm going to take a long drive down to Texas and get my tickets done while there's nothing better to be doing.
Stu R said:
Du1point8 said:
What do you need to know about them?
My Father has worked for them for 20 odd years moving around in the oil rigs/services departments.
Anything I cant ask I can send out an email and he will be honest about it.
Just a general overview really. Not encountered any of their guys in my travels - interested in the general fluff like if they're ok to work for, working conditions, benefits and pay compared to others, usual stuff really, nothing too specific.also whether it's contract or,day rate with them usually, I was told contract is more usual but a quick google suggests it might not be the case.My Father has worked for them for 20 odd years moving around in the oil rigs/services departments.
Anything I cant ask I can send out an email and he will be honest about it.
Thanks for the info guys. I've got a few weeks to kill so I'm going to take a long drive down to Texas and get my tickets done while there's nothing better to be doing.
swerni said:
Did you say you were 31?
I always though you were much older than that
Sorry
Cheeky sod. Nah, just a hard paper round and generally cynical outlook I always though you were much older than that
Sorry
Du1point8 said:
I sent the query on to him... he's in mozambique at the moment and internet access is not good, PM me your queries and I can pass on specific questions you would like answering further.
Thanks mate, I'll drop you a PM - appreciate your help. Stu,
I was in Shields from 95-99 doing my cadetship.
I've been offshore for 13 years now and am currently on rotation offshore Nigeria. Theres been quite a lot of work over the past few years but rumour has it that it may slow down soon.
Is your marine ticket still valid? If not you could still possibly get off as a mechanic.
Try all the drilling companies: stenna, seadrill, maersk, transocean, pacific, ensco, noble, ocean rig, to name a few.
Have a look at rigzone.com and feel free to drop me a line.
Ged
I was in Shields from 95-99 doing my cadetship.
I've been offshore for 13 years now and am currently on rotation offshore Nigeria. Theres been quite a lot of work over the past few years but rumour has it that it may slow down soon.
Is your marine ticket still valid? If not you could still possibly get off as a mechanic.
Try all the drilling companies: stenna, seadrill, maersk, transocean, pacific, ensco, noble, ocean rig, to name a few.
Have a look at rigzone.com and feel free to drop me a line.
Ged
Does anybody know the pay scales for 3rd/2nd engineers on drill ships semi subs etc. I missed a job with ocean rig a few years ago as I was already offshore on a pipe-layer I got a call to join a semi sub on a rig move to Mozambique. I haven't had another sniff as of yet to make the move to drilling side.
Bushman1 said:
Does anybody know the pay scales for 3rd/2nd engineers on drill ships semi subs etc. I missed a job with ocean rig a few years ago as I was already offshore on a pipe-layer I got a call to join a semi sub on a rig move to Mozambique. I haven't had another sniff as of yet to make the move to drilling side.
start about 60k where I am , N sea 2/3 rotation. fpsohth
dingg said:
start about 60k where I am , N sea 2/3 rotation. fpso
hth
I'm around the 60k so not really worth the move to fpso plus tax back. There's been many 3rds/2nds in my company who's moved over to drilling so I assumed it's at least 20/30k more hth
Edited by Bushman1 on Monday 7th July 18:16
Bushman,
Thats about right plus approx 20% more for working in West Africa.
Depending on the Company, Marine Engineers tend to be the lowest paid onboard. Electricians and mechanics are deemed to be senior where I am.
Getting promoted to the dizzy hights of First Engineer can see about £140k (in West Africa) with full UK tax to pay depending on the country's tax agreements.
Most UK guys live in either Spain or Thailand.
Thats about right plus approx 20% more for working in West Africa.
Depending on the Company, Marine Engineers tend to be the lowest paid onboard. Electricians and mechanics are deemed to be senior where I am.
Getting promoted to the dizzy hights of First Engineer can see about £140k (in West Africa) with full UK tax to pay depending on the country's tax agreements.
Most UK guys live in either Spain or Thailand.
gedi said:
Bushman,
Thats about right plus approx 20% more for working in West Africa.
Depending on the Company, Marine Engineers tend to be the lowest paid onboard. Electricians and mechanics are deemed to be senior where I am.
Getting promoted to the dizzy hights of First Engineer can see about £140k (in West Africa) with full UK tax to pay depending on the country's tax agreements.
Most UK guys live in either Spain or Thailand.
Thanks gedi as I thought it's def worth the move if it's an extra 20/30k depending on tax situation. From what I've heard I'm not impressed with seadrill base salary without bonuses doesn't make the move worthwhile with tax. But I suppose it's experience that counts.Thats about right plus approx 20% more for working in West Africa.
Depending on the Company, Marine Engineers tend to be the lowest paid onboard. Electricians and mechanics are deemed to be senior where I am.
Getting promoted to the dizzy hights of First Engineer can see about £140k (in West Africa) with full UK tax to pay depending on the country's tax agreements.
Most UK guys live in either Spain or Thailand.
I'll keep plugging away and be hopeful an offer comes my way whilst I'm home rather onboard as when these opportunities seems to arise themselves.
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