Life conditions on Offshore Oil Rigs

Oil Rig Jobs - Life Conditions and Other opportunities

Every applicant for a oil rig worker to this kind of job wonders how it must be like to live in such environment. Certainly, the extreme isolation of so peculiar a place, the presence of such hostile surroundings as it is the open ocean and the cold or very hot weather conditions leave nobody impassive. Offshore oil rigs and oil rig jobs.

Offshore oil rigs and oil rig jobs - It must be considered that conditions vary according to the different posts. Drilling, metallurgical or construction employees and their respective assistants work outdoors in hash conditions; geologists and engineers divide their tasks between offices, inside the oil rig platform, and deck areas, outside, enjoying an intermediate conditions; and managers, executive and administrative oil rig staff work in the offices, in the most comfortable situation.

Nevertheless, living conditions on oil rigs have improved considerably and, nowadays, many offshore installations meet hotel standards Offshore oil rigs and oil rig jobs.

On arrival at the place, new employees are provided with all they need to guarantee a safe and comfortable stay. Everybody is provided with overall, safety boots and glasses and hard hat, and, afterwards, they are all shown the whole installation.

Economically, working aboard an oil rig or platform is quite profitable. Certainly, income and benefits in this sort of oil rig jobs are considerably higher than any similar land-based positions. Additionally, all the possible expenses on oil rigs, such as food, accommodation and travel when going to and leaving from the workplace, are paid for by company, which means that you can bank everything. And it is this way even working aboard a local platform. Although, working in a foreign country as a oil rig worker is financially more attractive.

Most of the oil and gas companies are based on places as Venezuela, Brazil, Middle East, North Sea or Scandinavian coast. This means that the oil rig workers have to fly long distances to reach their respective workplaces or to meet family and friends. All this is at the company´s expense.

Schedules and shifts are another important subject. They vary, depending on the company and the type of position. A very common type of schedule consists in 14 days on, followed by 21 days off; another systems are based on working for 1 or 2 weeks, rotating off the platform for the same period; or 1 month on and 1 month off; and, sometimes, due to the speciality of the service, you will have to work until the job is finished.

Hourly timetables vary from 80 to 100 hours per week, which might seem like a very long and tiring working week. But, it must be considered that the employees are in the workplace 24 hours a day, which avoids the problems inherent in land-based jobs, such as getting up hurriedly to drive to the job site, having meals or snacks hastily, etc.

On the other hand, time off is one of the attractive side of this sort of posts. Few positions of oil rig jobs offer the workers so much time to carry out their private and familiar activities or to dedicate to another job or business. Offshore oil rigs and oil rig jobs.

While on board on oil rigs, you may spend your time off in a wide variety of amenities and amusements, because modern offshore installations offer an interesting range of leisure activities, designed to ensure a comfortable rest. There are modern satellite TV and phones, updated selection of videos, gym, sauna, video games, connection to Internet, etc.

The well-being of the employees is essential to avoid stress and ensure the quality of work.

Finally, the best oil rig companies offer special services to their employees at little cost or for free. Therefore, some companies provide excellent medical insurance, life and disability insurance, sick leave and, in some certain cases, profit sharing by taking a percentage of your wage and putting it in a profitable savings account.

Oil rig jobs - Oil rigs

It is, indeed, a very hard and demanding activity, but very well paid and free of any sort of expense, with good living conditions while your are off, which can compensate for the harsh conditions while working. The sort of work that gives the chance to travel for free to far and exotic places and meet people from all around the world.

Few employments offer so interest conditions - offshore oil rig jobs.

Types of Offshore Oil Rig Platform

Offshore oil rig platforms

The great combination of concreete and steel forms the giant offshore oil rig structures that sit on the seabed. The oil rig platforms are designed to help offshore oil rig workers to drill the wells further into ground and produce greater levels of hydrocarbons.

Jack-up oil rig platform: the so called Jack-up oil rig platform is a mobile structure, which instead of floating over the area of drill like a semi-submersible, has a long leg mounted on that helps to lower or raise the entire oil rig platform in and out of the water.

This kind of an offshore oil rig platform is able to operate around 500 feet in depth of water. The Jack-up oil rig platforms are usually used in North Sea, as those areas aren't too deep.

Drill vessel: this is a unique drilling platform, in a shape of vessel. The drill vessel is an offshore oil rig platform that doesn't need a tug or tugs to keep in place, unluke the Semi-submersible and Jack-up oil rig platforms.

Flotels oil rig platforms: a Flotel oil rig platform is a structure that is being made up of a Semi-submersible, which has been changed to suit a new purpose. The Flotels are designed with the opportunity to be attached to a Semi-submersible and give additional accomodation for added employees. The Flotels also provides extra place for leisure and catering activities.

Floating Production & Storage Units: the floating production and storage unit is a facility that can be attached to the seabed and it is being used to store the produced oil until the tanker may ship it to land. This structure can be made from facilities like tankers or semi-submersibles, to store the oil, produced on the oil rigs.

Getting a Basic Offshore Survival & Firefighting Certificate for Offshore Oil Rig Job

It is good to obtain a Basic Offshore Survival & Firefighting certificate before considering an offshore oil rig job onboard a drilling rig platform. The entire course for this certificate takes no longer than one and a half days, and is more likely to be very physically demanding and really challenging, but this is not easier than working on a offshore drilling rig, indeed.

Once you finish the training course, you will get the Basic Offshore Survival & Firefighting certificate, which will be valid 4 consequent years, and it's going to be a great advantage among others, that apply for offshore oil rig jobs.

Basic Offshore Survival & Firefighting Training Course for Oil Rig Workers

On the training course for Basic Offshore Survival & Firefighting, you will learn how to put a life jacket, how to climb on a rope on the drilling platform, you will also learn some swimming techniques, safety rules on the oil rig, as well as in water and many other techniques and skills, which will be really valuable and required  from the HRs when it comes oil rig jobs.

In addition, you may learn to helicopter escape rescues and underwater rescues on the training course. Other courses are also available that may learn you in other important techniques and skills, valuable for find an offshore oil rig job. These courses include:

• firefighting
• drilling
• lifting
• handling materials

If you require further information on oil rig training courses or about other employment in the oil rig jobs industry, please contact us, using the contact details on our ContactUs page.

Crew members on offshore oil rig platforms

Each of the oil rig jobs, listed below, require the oil rig worker to be very pysically prepared. Here is the general salary for the basic oil rig jobs on the drilling rigs:

• roughnecks get around $55,000 / £28,000 
• drillers get around $66,000 / £46,000

It is widely known that the better paid an oil rig job is the more physically demainding and harder the work on the drilling rig platform is. The basic responsibilities of the oil rig workers are to clean the offshore oil rigs and assist the drillers.

Beginning work on offshore oil rigs, from the lowest lever, as roughneck allows the oil rig workers to acquire the complete picture of what the work of oil rig workers consist of.

After you already have the necessary experience on offshore oil rigs, you can then apply for the next level oil rig vacancies as:

• driller assistant
• derrickman
• pumpman

If you have any questions regarding oil rig jobs, drill crew or about other employment in the offshore oil industry, please email us.

Offshore Oil Rig Mechanical and Electrical Jobs on Offshore Drilling Rigs

Offshore Oil Rig Mechanical and Electrical Jobs

Offshore oil rig mechanical - The following jobs are in charge of the repair and maintenance of the diesel generators and mechanical operation used aboard the offshore oil rig. Sometimes these staff may be required to work a 12-hour shift and can be called out on occasion. This line of work is ideal for someone who has previous experience in mechanical and electrical work. The salary ranges from £30,000 or US $45,500 for a motorman up to £47,000 or US $85,500 for the chief electrician. This team organizes the repairs and maintenance on the oil rig which can include changing light bulbs to repairing the drill equipment. Offshore oil rig jobs and offshore oil rig companies.

Chief Electrician or Maintenance Supervisor Electronic Technician Chief Mechanic Assistant Mechanic Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor Motorman Fill in the form below for additional information and advice on jobs in the oil industry - Offshore oil rig jobs.

If you have any questions on Offshore oil rig job Jobs Mechanical or about other employment in the industry, simply fill in the form on the right and click on the 'Submit' button - Offshore oil rig job Jobs Mechanical.

Offshore oil rig job companies

Offshore Oil Rig Companies

An interesting fact that most people looking for oil rig jobs don't know is that there are over 5,000 gas platforms and offshore drilling rigs located worldwide. The easiest and likely the most effective way to get a high-paid oil rig job is by making a direct contact with the offshore oil rig company. However, there is another way, which could be more effective - using an online service for automatic sending of your CV to many offshore oil rig job companies, all over the world.

Major regions offering offshore oil rig jobs

Some of the major offshore gas and oil rig platforms are located in the regions around Kuwait, Nigeria, Canada, North America, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and UAE.

The daily expected pay at these oil rig companies might be from $300 at starting rate, to $600 for skilled oil rig jobs and experienced oil rig workers.

As example for some offshore oil projects currently in progress are Hoover and Diana fields, both underway in the Gulf of Mexico, organised by Exxon. These offshore oil rig companies produce over 4,800 barrels a day, which is a really good value compared to other offshore drilling rig companies.

North Slope Operations oil rig company, located in Alaska is another very good example of an oil field company owned by the offshore oil giant, BP. This is the largest oil producer in North America, generating 3% of all oil consumed in the USA.

Another giant offshore oil producer is Terra Nova, situated in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, over an area of 150,000 acres. The oil rig company Terra Nova, produces around 115,000 barrels over the course of a year.

Founded in 1977, Herbernia is another offshore oil rig company  that employs many oil rig workers. This offshore oil field produces up to 150,000 barrels every year.

If you require further information on the offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rig companies, or about other employment in the oil industry, please contact us using our contact details.

No Experience : Is an Offshore Oil Rig Job Right For You?

Working on a powerful oil and gas platform will not be a life long profession. The jobs are hard, and few will last more than a few yrs. Need for oil and gas continues to be very high from first world countries as well as the economies of nations including China and India. Smaller sized nations are likewise growing, and oil and gas powers that advancement. Having virtually no new rigs being positioned in the Gulf of mexico, resources are extremely tight and marketplace demand is actually higher. Offshore oil rig jobs no experience.

Out of every likely area of work, offshore oil rig work is one of the most difficult to get right into. The number 1 reason is many people believe you have to have some sort of link to the organization, or perhaps have a family member that works with them. Plenty of people believe it's a very exclusive membership, and do not actually bother to investigate the idea. In the modern world, because of the world wide web, there are several resources that can be leveraged to locate work. Certainly, there are also high-end services that, for their fee, will help you find work within this incredibly profitable industry.

It's often been said, oil platform jobs are similar to forced confinement. You work together in close areas for long intervals, and after that are let go to play and enjoy the spoils of labor. And then it starts off once again. Almost just like finding yourself in the Armed forces. You repeat this process continuously, making friendships that will serve you for a life-time.

For all those thinking about offshore oil rig employment, but require much less physical requirements, you could think about working as part of the cooking area personnel. The job of steward or stewardess is probably the less physically demanding opportunities and requires basically no prior oil rig practical experience.

You would certainly serve food, help out with the food prep, as well as work the laundry room detail. The chef's position requires prior knowledge of preparing food and managing, although doesn't need oil rig experience.

Offshore oil rig jobs can also be psychologically challenging. Present day rigs have become more comfortable and completely self contained, because they are usually out in the middle of nowhere. You see the same exact people each day, day in and day out. Right after the break, you are right back at it. You shouldn't anticipate lots of horseplay and crazy nights, because there's none of that. You need to be very committed, with toughness of mind and body. There's no escape while on the platform, therefore you'd better get used to the idea.

The safety and health of crew members is additionally crucial, and there are generally regular instructional classes on first-aid in addition to safe practices training. The oil rig medic should be proficient in every area connected with crisis medical care, because he could be facing everything from the common cold to a dismembered limb -- as well as all things in between. Every single crew member are certain to get firstaid education and therefore are required to help wherever necessary. During your employment while on an oil rig, you will need to always remember the significance of workplace basic safety. All crew members are cross qualified with multiple tools and are required to fill in where necessary.

For most people, working away at an ocean going offshore oil rig is definitely an exciting career. There are many positions needed in the industry, and not all of them require advanced degrees. If you are searching for one of the upper experienced engineering careers, then you'll need a Masters or a Phd. But in case you are lacking there, you can find a job as a general roughneck or roustabout providing you are typically in good physical condition.

Another advantage you'll usually receive for working away at an offshore oil rig is free healthcare. Your airfare is also paid for to get you on your offshore rig position. With most companies, total room and board is included as well. These won't be luxurious accommodations, but you will receive a nice and clean place to enjoy meals and rest. There is not much personal privacy on an oil rig and the dwelling quarters are just like moving into dorm rooms.

Ocean going offshore oil rig jobs are intense and very challenging. This work is done under extreme conditions, and due to that, oil rig corporations make the dwelling conditions really cozy. Rooms tend to be nicely equiped, as well as meals and boarding charges are covered. Many firms also include most traveling expenses too. There is really a great number of work while on an offshore rig, including both basic in addition to senior positions. Promotion from inside is usual, and so don't be scared to start out at the bottom and work your way upward.

To reach your goals to get recruited, make sure you are physically solid as well as emotionally tough. This specific work is extremely challenging. If you already know someone that is working within the area, ask for some sort of reference because the company could be more apt to hire someone with a personal reference from a current worker. Do not be afraid to start out at the bottom like a roustabout working at everything that's required. If you clearly show that you are worth it, you'll easily move forward.

When trying to get the job, list every single expertise you think is relevant. In the event that you're mechanically inclined, that's a big bonus. If the company views you a excellent staff member having a excellent mental attitude, they're going to rapidly provide you with much more opportunities and better pay out. Earnings can begin about $50,000 a year, in case you want to operate to another country you can actually increase this amount.

The safety and health of all crew members is likewise extremely important, and there are routine lessons in firstaid and safety instruction. The oil rig medic needs to be proficient in all areas of crisis medical care, because he may be facing anything at all from a typical cold to a severed arm or leg -- and all things in between. Every crew member is certain to get first-aid education and so are required to aid wherever necessary. All through your employment on an oil rig, you will have to always remember the value of work area safety. All team members are usually combination trained with several pieces of equipment and so are required to fill in where needed. Offshore oil rig jobs no experience.

The advantages of this type of work are two-fold: Income certainly is one, but the other is actually excitement. Your chance to confront fears and conquer them, and get paid for it, can be quite a wonderful thing. Step right up and get your everyday adrenaline rush, plus here's a few 1,000 bucks for the trouble. Nothing at all wrong with that at all. Plus, zero university diploma, advanced degree or even a highschool diploma needed. As long as you're able to work with both your hands and possess some basic construction abilities, you're all set - offshore oil rig jobs.

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs - No Experience - How Do I Get Started

The oil industry is booming right now, with many offshore oil rig jobs needed to crew the new drilling rigs. Top economists project the oil boom to last the next 14 to 20 years, which will likely lead to oil jobs outstripping financial and IT jobs. While many people are puzzled about how to get started, the truth is that if you are young, fit, hardworking and willing to get your hands dirty, you should have no trouble getting started.

If you do not have any experience, the best way to get started is to get a job on a land-based oil rig. You can get hired as a roustabout, basically a general laborer, work hard for 6 months and climb up the ladder to the position of roughneck. As a roughneck, you will still do a lot of manual labor, but you may also have a chance to supervise a few roustabouts and help out the more specialized positions like the derrickhands and drillers. Show the right attitude, work hard and you may find yourself promoted all the way up to driller (2nd highest rank on the oil rig) in 5 years.

A university degree is not very useful on board an oil rig. On the other hand, a useful technical certificate or diploma, for example as an electrician or mechanic, could land you a job in the motor room or electrical department. These are not the only useful trade skills on board an offshore oil rig. The rig crew need to eat, so a good cook is always welcome on board. A medic also plays a valuable part on the rig. Despite modern technology, an oil rig job is still a pretty hazardous place to work in. Accidents happen, and a medic always has work to do.

An important point to keep in mind is that an offshore oil rig is covered under maritime law. Hence, it is good if you take the trouble to get a basic working knowledge of how it will affect you. Besides this, there are vaccinations and skills certifications specific to where the oil rig is located. For example, in the UK you need to take an offshore survival and firefighting course. Different Canadian provinces have their own First Aid certifications. And different US states have their own requirements.

As you can see, there is no secret to getting started in offshore oil rig jobs. Just start small, on shore, from the bottom. Once you prove yourself, you can move to the more lucrative offshore drilling rigs.

My work on offshore oil rig with no experience

So Last winter I started in the offshore oil rigs. It was pretty cool. No experience getting paid top dollar. The cold didn`t bother me because you work your[..] off and wear layers upon layers you start to sweat and !!. So I ended up on a good rig man everyone treated me awesomely.

It`s two weeks on and then they fly you home one week off. You get 140$ tax free to pay for your hotel and food. so you end up making 5 grand every two weeks. It`s a pretty sweet offshore oil rig job if you dont have kids or a wife.

Offshore oil Rig Jobs

Anyways just putting that out there.

It`s mostly white people and by that I mean theres some real tough Aryan brothrhood type of mother!!ers. But if you can hold your own, put your head down and take !! when the !!s due then your pretty much set. I've met a few east indians and they were some of the coolest people I have ever met.

I had a great time ehhh most of the time. Some times wre god awful but the money is riduculous - offshore oil rig jobs.

Oil Rig Jobs without Experience - How to Get Started?

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs without Experience - How to Get Started?

For those people, looking or jobs offshore but have no drilling rig experience, it may be very difficult to know where to begin. However, it isn't as difficult as most people think. Finding and getting the job on oil rig platform isn't particularly complex. It just takes time and effort. Where the real problem lies is in keeping the oil rig job once you get it. There's a good reason why offshore drilling companies are always hiring workers for their offshore oil platforms – the work is really really tough and many people find they can not take the hardship.

So how does a man, searching for an offshore drilling rigs job get it with no experience? If you really haven't absolutely any experience – never worked at sea, offshore, never worked in construction, never worked on a land oil rig platform – you may only start at the bottom. A slow, steady and sure way is to prepare yourself by spending 1 year or 2 on each of the jobs mentioned above. It will earn you relevant experience and it toughens you up for a real job offshore on an oil rig with no experience.

Of course, you might prefer the less certain way of trying for roustabout jobs positions on oil wells in shallow waters near shore. In the Gulf states where there is a lot of offshore oil drilling platforms, there are offshore oil rigs that operate near land. Such oil rig companies sometimes hire temporary workers on day rates during periods of high activity. All that the oil service employer needs from such temp oil workers is a strong back, the skill to follow instructions and the ability to swim so that they do not drown if they fall off the boat transporting them. In lots of the cases, the employer draws these workers from the state unemployment office. It is a good way to gain much needed job experience on an offshore oil rig well and can get you much needed contacts for more permanent employment. Offshore Oil rig jobs or drilling jobs.

Roustabout offshore oil rig jobs on land secure a distinct experience from oil rig roustabout jobs offshore. Land-based oil rigs are generally smaller operations than offshore oil rig platforms. Nevertheless, there're still lots of features in common among the 2, and getting experience on an oil rig well on dry land might secure valuable skills when working offshore. If you inset it with job experience on a trawler vessel or Navy or Coast Guard seafarer, you are going to have a much better chance of getting hired for entry level rig job platforms compared to someone who just graduated from high school.

Yet another good alternative is to gain some kind of good skill which might be shifted to an offshore oil rig platform. One such example is scaffolding. In a construction yard, the basic rate per hour is from US$4 to US$7, and you must work twelve hours or even more. Take this skill to an offshore oil rig platform and you might expect to earn somewhere around US$55,000 for a year. If you have a head for heights and are willing to slave away for 1 year or 2 to get the needed job experience on oil rig platform, it might be a good option.

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs

Trade abilities are also another path on to get an offshore oil rig job. There are posts for welders, electricians and mechanics onboard an offshore oil platforms. It will help if you've worked on a land rig platform before, but actual offshore experience is often not necessary. You might make from US$55,000 to US$60,000 for one year and this is about double than the wages on land. However, one disadvantage of such jobs is that career promotion prospects are very limited. A common roustabout might work his way up the ladder to roughneck, derreck hand, assistant driller and driller. An experienced driller on a deep water oil rig platform might expect to make US$100,000 for one year or even more. On the other hand, trade skills tend to be easier to transfer among land and sea, so it all evens out.

There are lots of paths to offshore oil rig jobs with no experience. What is important is your determination and for you to keep an open mind when search for oil rig job with no experience.

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs With No experience

Decide what position of oil rig jobs is best one for you

An offshore oil drilling rig platform is a place where you really might work hard to get ahead. Most crane operators, transport supervisors and other skilled employees started out in entry-level positions. They set themselves apart by pursuing advanced drilling oil rig training and accepting additional assignments. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs

Inexperienced employees may start their careers on drilling oil rig platforms in any one of several oil rig jobs, including:

• Roughneck: Roughnecks are usually laborers that generally work on the rig deck. They move equipment and supplies, and also are responsible for cleaning equipment and work areas.
• Roustabout: These employees are engaged in drilling operations on the oil rig. They often shift sections of drill pipe and clean spill. Roustabouts aspire to one day become the tool pusher, the senior supervisor on an offshore oil rig.
• Helper: Helpers assist skilled staff, serving as apprentices for oil rig electricians, lead welders and heavy-equipment operators. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.
• Painter: Offshore drilling oil rigs, in particular, should be painted constantly to protect the structure from the corrosive effects of saltwater. This is hazardous duty, as painters often have to be suspended in harnesses to reach remote areas of the platform.
• Motorman: Motormen support and repair all drilling rig machinery, in this number generators and deck equipment.
• Deckhand: Deckhands make tow lines to secure barges and boats to the structure, facilitating loading and offloading of cargo.
• Steward: Housekeeping needs, including laundry service and janitorial duties, should be met to assure the smooth operation of an offshore drilling oil rig.
• Assistant chef: Galley hands, including assistant chefs, work around the clock to prepare meals for all shifts. This is a job where mainstream experience is directly transferable to duties on the rig. Offshore oil rig jobs or offshore drilling rigs.

How to Find an Oil Rig Job with no Experience...

There are lots of ways of getting started in the industry of offshore oil job.  We may call these internship oil drilling rig jobs. They are the places people start to build into a long term career. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Offshore oil rig jobs

The skills that you are required to have?

Most of you may be looking for drilling offshore oil rig jobs. If you have worked in food prep, electrical, mechanical repair, painting, scaffolding, mariner positions, or welding…then you are already going to have any kind of experience that will qualify you for an oil rig job with bigger salaries, and especially true when you are searching for an offshore position. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

However, if you wish to be apart of the decks with very good salaries with  or drilling crew members, then you more than probably will have to begin on a land-based oil rig jobs to begin with.  And there are many opportunities in this area. 

How to Find Oil Rig Jobs with no Experience...

Positions that you can start on at the beginning...

The 2 common positions are called Roustabouts and Roughnecks.  The Roustabout is an assistant to the Roughnecks.  Roustabouts are accountable for material handling with cranes, keeping the deck tidy, and generally helping  to the Roughnecks where needed.  These positions will be considered the internship offshore oil rig jobs.

A good rig worker can easily grow into a Roughneck position.  The Roughnecks are responsible for the drilling.  They are the edge of the sword  so to speak.  Roughneck's role is why an oil rig is there in the first place.

The Roughneck is an extremely desirable job, and usually requires a very hard work.  But it is also a job with a really good salary. The foreman can take more than 80 000$. But this person has a great deal of experience of course.

Once a person has landed a job on an oil rig as a Roustabout, it is not unheard of to grow into the Roughneck crew member for less than 1 year. This is provided a person is a reliable and good worker.  If an individual get experience on land as a Roustabout, then it is probably they will get a Roughneck's offshore position.

Each Rule has its Exceptions

There are some exceptions to this. If you know somebody, you have an open door before you.

The other doorway is for those that can afford overseas which is not the best way for those looking oil rig jobs. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Oil Rig Jobs with No Experience

If you are searching for a challenging career with the chance to travel the world and receive an ideal salary, an oil rig job or job in the drilling industry could be for you. The demand for power and oil is ever-increasing on a global basis and so is the need for oil rig workers, as the oil and gas industry continues to expand.Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs. We have many of oil rig jobs and jobs in the drilling industry to choose from within the oil and gas industry whatever your experience, background, or qualifications. Though the pay is generally excellent at all levels when compared with similar non-oil industry jobs, some oil rig jobs and jobs in the oil industry can be physically demanding so seek advice on the position you are looking for.Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

    

As most oil rigs need to be maintained 7 days a week, oil rig  workers usually work on a two weeks on, two weeks off basis, allowing plenty of time to travel and explore the local region or return home. This working schedule can be very attractive allowing longer periods of quality “free” time when compared to a regular 9 to 5 job with two day weekends. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Other benefits of an oil rig job include long lasting friendships with workmates, excellent living and sleeping conditions, and plenty of opportunities to climb the career ladder for hardworking and focused workers – not to mention the potential financial rewards for which oil rig jobs are renowned. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Whether you are looking for an oil rig job on offshore oil rigs or onshore oil rigs, there are a wide range of vacancies all over the world including Scotland, Canada, Europe, Nigeria, Asia, U.S, and the Middle East.

Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs. Jobs in the oil rig industry include entry level positions for candidates without prior offshore oil rig experience such as Welders, Scaffolders, Roustabout, Medics, Radio Operators, Mud Engineers, Painters, and Electricians. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Other more specialised oil rig jobs include Derrick Crew, Maintenance Forman, Crane Operators, Maintenance Roustabout, Drillers, Roughnecks, Pumpman, Catering Crew and Steward/ess, Control Room Operators, Barge Engineers, Maintenance Supervisors, Toolpushers, Onboard Representatives, Offshore Installations Managers, Mechanics, Motormen, Subsea Engineers, and Painters. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

There are also different types of oil rigs across the world you can work on. These include Semi Submersibles, Platforms, Jack Ups, Drill Ships, Flotels, and Floating Production and Storage Units.

Jobs on Drilling Rigs

This is not necessary to live in or even close to an oil centre like Aberdeen to work offshore in the North Sea. Aberdeen is the main place of the offshore drilling industry in the United Kingdom. It is considered the Oil Capital of Europe. It has the busiest heliport in the United Kingdom.

Many onshore drilling rig jobs in Aberdeen are dependant on the search for and production of oil. High proportions of current offshore employees commute from as far away as Ireland, Wales and the south of England. Others come from much further away such as Spain, USA, France, Australia etc.

Among those living abroad are British people, who moved there when they became settled into their offshore career and pay their own fares back and forward every trip. Few companies now pay travelling expenses. As far as a starting salary you would be looking in the region of £20,000 per year as a Roustabout or Catering Assistant / Steward.

Your payment type may vary; a fixed amount every month, or a 'day rate' where you get paid for each day on the rig. Whichever way you get paid the annual salary would still work out the same of course.

There is no real age limit, it just depends on how you sell yourself. I've worked with Roustabouts in their 50's and Stewards in their 60's. You will need to be fit enough to pass the medical and carry out your duties, other than that should be no problem with age as long as you don't still want to be working offshore after you're 65!!!!!

As long as you get to the heliport for your 'check in time' it does not matter where you stay during your time off. There are some exceptions to this depending on what type of job you have. For example, some maintenance personnel have to be on call to go at short notice to a rig that requires them. They are not tied to any one rig. They are sent by their employer at the request of a drilling or production company.

Rig workers who have a 'back to back' and a definite period of time off the rig can usually suit themselves what they do and where they go, until they are due back to the rig.

Crew Members on Drilling Rig Installation

Most of the oil rig job descriptions below pertain to a typical semi-submersible offshore drilling rigs crew members. However, most disciplines are also found on jack-up drilling rigs, drillships and production platforms also.....a rough guide to the salary is indicated in brackets, some are accurate, some are guesses on my part.

Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs. Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) (£70,000); has often worked his way up through the drill crew ranks. He is in overall charge of the oil rig platform. Hence sometimes called "Person In Charge" (PIC).

Toolpusher (£60,000); works in the rig offices and the rig floor. He also has responsibilities on the main deck. He is usually an experienced driller.

Company Man (£90,000); is the oil company's on board representative. He is not employed by the drilling company operating the rig. On a drilling rig an oil company employee works with the drilling company to supervise its interests, helping the strategy for drilling the well. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Driller (£50,000); has a high level of responsibility, and is in charge of everything happening on and above the rig floor. He is the man that actually operates the drilling equipment, making the hole in the sea bed. Which is the reason the rig is there in the first place. Offshore oil rig jobs.

Assistant Driller (£42,000); has many tasks to perform most vary depending on particular drilling operation being carried out at the time. He is direct supervisor for the Derrickman and Roughnecks. process room at all times.

Derrickman (£38,000); is responsible for the maintenance and smooth operation of the mud pumps and mud holding pits among other machines in the mud pump room. Also assists the Roughnecks when very busy on drill floor and not required in the pump room. This is the man who will climb the derrick, the tall drilling tower, to assist racking drill pipe when it is being pulled out of the hole.

Roughneck (£28,000); works on the rig floor in a team of three and is responsible for the operation of equipment and machines as required by the particular operation being carried out at that time by the driller. While drilling, one Roughneck is always present in the mud room. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Subsea Engineer (£50,000); is responsible for the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) unit and the motion compensation system of the rig among other duties.

Assistant Subsea Engineer (£40,000); can sometimes be promoted from Roughnecks. More usually from a mechanical background. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Crane Operator (£35,000); is responsible for all crane operations on the rig and to/from the supply boats. He is supervisor to his assistant and the Roustabout crew.

Assistant Crane Operator (£28,000); is an experienced Roustabout who is also qualified to operate the cranes and will often be next in line for promotion to Crane Operator when a position arises.

Oil rig jobs on offshore drilling rig platforms

Roustabout (£25,000); main duties include guiding the crane as loads are moved about the deck, supplying equipment to the rig floor as requested and keeping pipe deck and main deck areas clean and tidy. Will also assist Roughnecks on the drill floor when required. This usually only happens when the Roughnecks are too busy to get a meal break. The Roustabout will get his meal, then go to the drill floor allowing one Roughneck to get his break. Then each Roughneck swaps out until everyone has eaten.

Radio Operator (£30,000); Modern radio systems dictate the need for a GMDSS Radio Operator's Licence. Responsible for onboard communications systems, helicopter logistics, preparation of Personnel On Board lists, lifeboat and emergency muster lists, T-Cards etc. Since the advent of modern radio the radio operator's job has changed tremendously.

A good modern Radio Operator will have excellent PC skills, good admin skills and must be able to get along with people as the radio room will be the focal point for most peoples communications in and out of the rig. They also get landed with other administrative jobs that no-one else seems to have the time for. He might also be find himself labelled as the resident I.T. tutor / network administrator.

Medic (£40,000); They are rarely doctors but have a high level of medical training. Some are former nurses. On some smaller rigs they double up as a Rig Safety & Training Co-ordinator (RSTC). They are responsible for the upkeep of the Sick Bay and the medical stocks, issuing medicines like a pharmacist. Most rigs now carry out medical checks on all employees every six months or so. Keeping of rig medical records. The rig also has designated first aiders in every crew. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Maintenance Supervisor (£50,000); either has an electrical or mechanical background and oversees the whole maintenance crews work. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Electrician (£40,000); responsible for all electrical equipment onboard the rig right down to the changing of light bulbs within the accommodation.

Mechanic (£40,000); responsible for all mechanical equipment onboard, including the drilling package.

Motorman (£32,000); general engine room duties ensuring smooth running of rig power. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Instrument Technician (£38,000); responsible for calibration of measurement equipment, gauges, alarm panels etc. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Barge Engineer (£40,000); is in charge of control room operations. He will often be a time served Master Mariner from the Merchant Navy who has crossed over into the oil industry. Responsible for stability of the rig, anchor handling operations during a rig move, supply vessel operations and the like.

Control Room Operator (CRO) (£35,000); Barge Engineer's assistant and responsible on a daily basis for keeping the rig afloat. He will also be involved with anchor running and retrieving operations during rig move plus a whole load of paperwork besides, work permits etc.

Painter (£25,000); Given his work by the Barge Engineer, the Painter is responsible for the rig painting program. Like the Forth Road Bridge it is a never ending job. Often working at heights with scaffolding safety harness and or work basket hoisted by the crane. Usually builds his own scaffolding. May have an assistant, especially if the rig does not have a Maintenance Roustabout squad. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Maintenance Roustabout (£25,000); main duties include general upkeep and cleaning of deck area of rig. Also painting. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Maintenance Foreman (£28,000); responsible for overseeing a Maintenance Roustabout Crew’s work.

Welder (£35,000); They are permanently on one rig and carry out all day to day repairs and building of new metalwork. They are always busy. When there is a big project often a squad of welders are hired to finish the job quickly. These guys move from rig to rig wherever their company has a contract. It’s fair to say that Welders are responsible for the majority of fires onboard drilling rigs. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Rig Safety & Training Co-ordinator (RSTC) (£40,000); There is a lot of responsibility. A job for someone who is a good communicator and has good organisational and computer skills. You will also require a lot of knowledge of the offshore safety laws and company policies.

Materialsman/Storeman (£30,000); Responsible for the maintenance of the stores and stock ordering and receiving. Must be computer literate. One drawback of this job is that on smaller rigs with only one stores person they sometimes have to get up at all hours to check the cargo coming off the boat.

Camp Boss (£30,000); in overall charge of the catering department. Oversees the chefs, stewards, stewardesses etc.

Chef (£27,000); day to day cooking duties, reports to the Camp Boss. Oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Night Cook / Baker (£25,000); very important position on the rig. All bread onboard is baked by the night cook/baker. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

Scaffolders (£30,000); are not usually tied to any one rig. They go to different installations depending on where their company has work.

Mud Engineer (£50,000); is in charge of the drilling fluids being used. S/he will likely have a degree in chemistry and will have a good knowledge of drilling procedures. Offshore oil rig jobs or drilling rigs.

What is the life on offshore drilling rig like?

Most people get confused while looking for high-paid oil rig jobs, because they are not familiar with the life conditions and the type of work on the offshore oil rig platforms, on the whole. Be sure that your life is completely going to change, as soon as you get an offshore oil rig job. 

However, you must pay attention that a starting salary for oil rig jobs are quite similar to middle management onshore jobs, and you will have the advantage to be in your place, not being surrounded by sea, without any sight of land around.

Living conditions on oil rig platforms

There will be comments and questions like "I bet the food's good out there isn't it?"..... "Is it really like the Roughnecks program on the TV?"....... "Why aren't you driving a brand new car?"...... from your family, friends and relatives.

As the gas and oil industry is a difficult working area, the threshold of oil rig workers is above the average levels. However, don't get it wrong, the oil rig jobs are not that tough and daunting as some people think it is supposed to be. Work conditions on oil rigs have improved significantly and are continuing to do so. The offshore oil rig workers are the same people that work in any of sphere of the heavy industry. They wouldn't be there if they didn't enjoy the oil rig jobs in any degree.

However, most of the newly oil rig workers can not resist more than 3 trips offshore, statistics shows. It's a huge mistake that most people make, because they need much time to get used to the oil rig jobs responsibilities and obligations offshore. Having said that, some of the people aren't just suited to the environment on the oil rigs.

You will be provided with safety boots, safety glasses, hard hat and coveralls on arrival at the offshore oil rig platform. You will also be given a guided tour of the entire oil rig platform, and you will be also explained anything about drills, alarms and muster points.

You'd better be with a positive attitude on the oil rig, which is going to make your life offshore more enjoyable and may even give you a chance of promotion (get it as a recommendation). You just need to be focused on why exactly you are on the oil rig and the plus points of the oil rig job. Only the positive thoughts will keep you up.

The standard work time at the offshore oil rigs is 12-hour shifts with a short break in the morning, lunchtime and afternoon. There are also "Smoko Shacks" or "Tea Shacks" at several places on the oil rig at predefined times filled cakes or rolls provided.

The food on the oil rig is at a very good "level," with a wide variety of meals everyday. For the lunch, you are going to take off work and go into the galley. Depending on the company policy, some catering crews organise special theme nights with Mexican or Chinese food on the oil rig, striving to ingratiate the oil rig workers.

Offshore oil rig platforms are structures operating 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, therefore you will be able to have night shifts, depending on what your oil rig job is. You will usually start your "trip" offshore, on day shifts, and then move to night shift half way, but it depends on the oil company policies ( e.g. if you do 2-weeks on and then 2-weeks off, you can do a week of days and a week of nights).

There have only been just a packet of playing cards and couple of dog-eared novels on the offshore oil rigs in past, as rig leisure equipment. Nowadays, most of the oil rigs have a large-screen cinema, satellite TV and even personal TVs in every room of the oil rig workers. Many of the oil platforms even have modern sauna and gym equipments. Others have computers with internet, tennis, computer consoles etc.