Since the mid-1950s, oil has become one of theworld's most vital energy sources. It is the lifeblood of modern society. It isused most commonly to supply energy to the power industry, heat our homes, andprovide fuel for planes and vehicles to transport people and goods worldwide.
Due to its vital role in modern society, acareer in the oil industry can be both fascinating and rewarding. Those workingin the industry may find themselves working on one of the vast numbers ofoffshore oil rigs spread worldwide. Have you ever wondered what life is likeworking on oil rings?
This article willprovide insight into oil rig workers' training, responsibilities, and livingexperiences. First of all, let's take a look at some quick facts about life onoil rigs.
● There are around 1,470 offshore oil rigs aroundthe world, meaning this role could take you anywhere from the UK to Australia,the Gulf of Mexico, or the Middle East.
● Oil rigs can be enormous and larger than many ofthe earth's tallest buildings. Take the Bullwinkle oil rig in the Gulf ofMexico, for example. At 1,736 feet (529m), it dwarfs both the Empire StateBuilding (381m) and the Eiffel Tower (330m).
● At any one time, you will find nearly 200 peopleliving and working on a rig.
● You'll rarely find a window inside. This ismainly to protect the oil rig from the intense weather conditions it has towithstand.
● Be thankful we're not in the 70s – Before onboardWi-Fi, engineers were restricted to just one phone call a week, and even thatwas capped at just six minutes. Now, due to the power of modern technology,workers can keep in contact with friends and loved ones.
International engineering jobs require travelto some of the most remote places on earth, including oil rigs in the middle ofthe sea. You'll work hard offshore but be well rewarded for it - for a start,there's no cooking or cleaning.
Does it sound like your ideal job? Be sure tovisit our dedicated oil and gas recruitment page, but first of all, let’s answer some ofthe vital questions you may have about life working on oil rigs.
What job-related training will Ineed to work on oil rigs?
This isn't your usual"stuck in rush hour" commute; a helicopter transfers you from theshore to the rig, which can be an invigorating experience. In addition,offshore engineers are given complete sea survival training before this flight.Watch a video of an offshore engineer commuting to an oilrig to see for yourself.
Oil rigs are full of combustible materials andheavy machinery. As an offshore worker, you will benefit from plenty oftraining to ensure best practices at all times.
Beforestarting your offshore life, you will also undergo a medical examination toensure you're suitable for work on a rig. There arefirst aiders and medicinal personnel onboard, with helicopters on standby forquick medical evacuations to the shore if necessary.
How many hours will I work onoil rigs?
Theusual working shift is 12 hours ‘on’ and 12 hours ‘off’, and many shiftpatterns are a mixture of both day and night because operations run around theclock with no rig ‘downtime’. Many offshore jobsrequire shift patterns of 2 or 3 weeks on the rig / 2-3 weeks onshore, but thepatterns can be longer.
What will my offshoreaccommodation be like?
Offshore installations have a dedicated teamof kitchen staff who prepare food around the clock, often with a self-servicestyle canteen. Despite the offshore location, fresh food is shipped inregularly, meaning you’ll have plenty of access to fresh meat, fruit andvegetables.
Oil rigs are close-knit communities, and youcan expect to share your room with several other engineers, although some offerprivate rooms. Showers and toilets tend to be shared among a couple of cabins,but most bedrooms offer a washbasin and a television.
How will I stay in touch with myfamily if I have a job overseas?
Far out at sea, mobile phone signals aren'tparticularly reliable! However, larger oil rigs will have internet connectionsenabling Zoom and other messaging services for uninterrupted communication withthose back home, ensuring you’ll be on hand to help celebrate importantoccasions from afar. We’ve taken a look at some fantastic apps to help you stay in touch withyour loved ones whilst on assignment.
Life is never boring on oil rigs
Offshore jobs paydifferently depending on your experience and role. However, rig engineers canexpect to be paid well due to a combination of the specialised skills required,the risks associated with working on a rig, and the personal sacrifices made interms of working hours and not seeing family.
Keeping an oil rigoperational 24 hours a day means that offshore personnel must be at the top oftheir game; generally, alcohol and non-prescription drugs are completelybanned. To keep everyone on board safe, smoking is allowed in designated areaswith matches available as the source of ignition – these locations are far awayfrom the most sensitive machinery.
What salary and benefits can Iexpect offshore?
Offshore jobs pay differently depending onyour experience and role, however rig engineers can expect to be paid well dueto a combination of the specialised skills required, the risks associated withworking on a rig, and the personal sacrifices made in terms of working hoursand not seeing family.
The oil and gas professionals that we workwith love how we value our contractors on a personal level and take care of allassignment supportneeds, such as organisingcontractor travel and work permits, giving you peace of mind that you’ll betaken care of when working with us.
Fancy experiencing life onoffshore oil rigs for yourself?
At NES Fircroft,we are a global industry-leading oil and gas recruitment solutions provider. Wehave over 50 years of experience finding exceptional talent for roles withinthe industry.
If you are a candidatelooking to take the next step in your career, please discover our dedicated oiland gas recruitment page for moredetails about how we can support you. Alternatively, search our jobs about available offshore oil and gas jobs.
