Working on a oil rig?

[GRUSS]

Anybody on here working or has worked on oil rigs? Could I get a job on one a d still live in Rotherham?

 

Looked into some of the courses you have to do etc but would like some opinions

 

Thanks

[BEDROCK]

While you are getting a job, can I have some free WD-40

[Nagel]

I've worked on rigs since 1980.

 

Yes, you can work on rigs and still live in your home town, or anywhere you want. Last year I was working with someone who was commuting from New Zealand. I'm not sure what the entry into working on rigs involves these days since it's so long ago I started and I've always worked in specialist services. Would you be looking to work on rig-crew, the people who do the physical labour?

 

I think you need to pay for your own medical and offshore survival course which are required by everyone to work offshore. Then you need to apply to the various drilling contractor companies for a job.

 

One thing in your favour is that the industry is finding it difficult to recruit people at the moment as no one wants to work on rigs. The perception is that it's a nasty job and not 'green'.

 

In fact it's a good way to work and has kept me prosperous over the years. You get three weeks off at a time (for two or three weeks on the rig) and I don't think I could ever work 9-5 Monday-Friday. How do people cope with only getting 2 days off a week??

[GRUSS]

I'm 30 and have 15 Years experience in the motor trade so any hands on job would suit, a friend of mine works for a company in Sheffield that supply seals for the rigs and he said they can't get many new starters.

Obviously the money is good as I've heard but what happens at Xmas and new year? Take it in turns to work?

What hours do you work onboard the rig and what's general life like?

[Nagel]

Your friend is right, it's difficult to find people to work on rigs, god knows why because what other job gives you six months off every year?

 

It's a while since I worked offshore in the UK, but I think most rigs work three weeks on/three weeks off. You work 12 hours every day on the rig, usually 6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am. Some years you get Christmas and NY off, some you work and it'll average 50:50. Some companies like to ensure you get one or the other at home each year, so Christmas at home one year, New Year at home the next.

 

As for life on the rig, it's mostly work and sleep. The food is usually OK and there's satellite TV in your room, plus phones where you can call anywhere in the world for free and wireless internet throughout.

 

Any other questions?

[frededwards]

The minimum you need to work offshore is the following:

 

British Waters Offshore Medical

MIST (Minimum Industry Safety Training) Certificate)

BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) Certificate

 

The medical is about £50.00 and the MIST and BOSIET is about £1600 (combined)

 

The course for the MIST and BOSIET is a five day one, and the nearest place to Sheffield to do it is Fleetwood maritime College.

The course is very simple, and most of the tests are multiple choice.

 

If you are looking for unskilled work on a platform or FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) then look in “Roustabout” magazine or go through specialist agencies.

 

You can increase your employability by getting additional training such as First Aid, Rope Access or being a lifeboat coxswain.

 

On many platforms you work 2 weeks on/2 weeks off or 3 weeks on/3 weeks off (12 hour shifts) so Xmas and New Year are pretty much luck of the draw.

 

The food on board is OK, if a bit basic (think school dinners plus). There are gym facilities on most assets, and you can smoke in a dedicated lounge. Alcohol is prohibited.

 

Hope this helps.

[GRUSS]

Some great answers!

My friend is finding more info out but I'm going to do some research into the Certs required etc.

[Cyclone]

How do people cope with only getting 2 days off a week??

 

I think you answered this yourself.

 

You work 12 hours every day on the rig, usually 6am - 6pm or 6pm - 6am. Some years you get Christmas and NY off, some you work and it'll average 50:50.

As for life on the rig, it's mostly work and sleep. The food is usually OK

 

With only 2 days off every week you only work 7.5hrs a day (maybe 9 hrs including commuting and lunch), every year you get Christmas and NY off, you don't start work until 0900 ish, life is much more than just work and sleep, all week, not just on your days off.

The food depends on how well you cook, or where you choose to eat.

 

You also get probably about 33 days of annual leave a year (including BH) which I guess you don't get on a rig if you are already getting 6 months of the year off.

[markando]

Hi guys, my name is Mark Anderson, ive just done my off-shore medical and im doing my BOSIET and MIST a week Monday, im trying to get a job as a roustabout or any entry level position on a rig. if anyone has any info they can pass onto me to help me get started in my new career off-shore that would be great, my email is

 

markando1982@gmail.com

 

thx for your time.........

 

Mark...

[Mecky]

Never tried it but it sounds like long hours of hard work