Oil rig job?

[RichardE]

Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

 

[Heisenberg]

Just be aware that if you decide to do it, you may be called on to save the planet from a giant asteroid at any time.

 

[MetalMat]

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

 

[BarneyFife]

Because of the money? The job sucks from what I've heard.

 

[MetalMat]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife
Because of the money? The job sucks from what I've heard.

you get paied well, but you are either on call for a couple weeks at a time then off a week, or on a 12-12 shift for 2 weeks then off 2 weeks. That is the normal case.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

 

[MetalMat]

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

Ok, alot of guys work on oil rigs during the summer down here to pay for the rest of the year. For the money its great, however realize that most of what you make is overtime pay. You will work a 2 week on, 2 week off schedule most likely. Those 2 weeks on will be very rough work, and you will be outside rain, sleet, or snow. However, I am assuming you are going on drilling rigs, I am not too familiar with other types of rigs like production rigs. Plus, 95% of the people you meet will most likely be much different than your normal ATOT guy. When you get in the trailer after 12 hours of hard work, all they like to do it watch porn or hunting shows.

But you will be getting lots of $$$$$.

 

[pontifex]

i used to be in a SoF2 clan with a guy that worked oil rigs. he was gone weeks at a time, but also had off for a few weeks at a time too. long days and hard work the way he talked. i don't know what his position was though.

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

Ok, alot of guys work on oil rigs during the summer down here to pay for the rest of the year. For the money its great, however realize that most of what you make is overtime pay. You will work a 2 week on, 2 week off schedule most likely. Those 2 weeks on will be very rough work, and you will be outside rain, sleet, or snow. However, I am assuming you are going on drilling rigs, I am not too familiar with other types of rigs like production rigs. Plus, 95% of the people you meet will most likely be much different than your normal ATOT guy. When you get in the trailer after 12 hours of hard work, all they like to do it watch porn or hunting shows.

But you will be getting lots of $$$$$.

So will most of the cash I get be taxed as OT pay I take it? Also, I assume that I can get hired with just a high school diploma for now which is awesome =)

Is it better to try to go through a placement agency? Or is there a specific website where they usually post openings? All the searches I did on Google just brought up placement agencies.

 

[MetalMat]

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

Ok, alot of guys work on oil rigs during the summer down here to pay for the rest of the year. For the money its great, however realize that most of what you make is overtime pay. You will work a 2 week on, 2 week off schedule most likely. Those 2 weeks on will be very rough work, and you will be outside rain, sleet, or snow. However, I am assuming you are going on drilling rigs, I am not too familiar with other types of rigs like production rigs. Plus, 95% of the people you meet will most likely be much different than your normal ATOT guy. When you get in the trailer after 12 hours of hard work, all they like to do it watch porn or hunting shows.

But you will be getting lots of $$$$$.

So will most of the cash I get be taxed as OT pay I take it? Also, I assume that I can get hired with just a high school diploma for now which is awesome =)

Is it better to try to go through a placement agency? Or is there a specific website where they usually post openings? All the searches I did on Google just brought up placement agencies.

Where do you live, if you were in south Louisiana I could direct you to some companies.

Dont forget, its rough a$$ work. But it will make a man out of you

 

[RichardE]

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

Ok, alot of guys work on oil rigs during the summer down here to pay for the rest of the year. For the money its great, however realize that most of what you make is overtime pay. You will work a 2 week on, 2 week off schedule most likely. Those 2 weeks on will be very rough work, and you will be outside rain, sleet, or snow. However, I am assuming you are going on drilling rigs, I am not too familiar with other types of rigs like production rigs. Plus, 95% of the people you meet will most likely be much different than your normal ATOT guy. When you get in the trailer after 12 hours of hard work, all they like to do it watch porn or hunting shows.

But you will be getting lots of $$$$$.

So will most of the cash I get be taxed as OT pay I take it? Also, I assume that I can get hired with just a high school diploma for now which is awesome =)

Is it better to try to go through a placement agency? Or is there a specific website where they usually post openings? All the searches I did on Google just brought up placement agencies.

Where do you live, if you were in south Louisiana I could direct you to some companies.

Dont forget, its rough a$$ work. But it will make a man out of you

London Ontario Canada lol =) I won't be seriously looking till this summer though. I have been told it is easy to get a work visa for oil rigs though, so seems I would be able to work in the states easily enough.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE

Originally posted by: MetalMat

Originally posted by: RichardE
Does anyone here work on an oil rig? I was considering trying to get an entry level job on one in the near future. I have no experience oil rigs though and limited experience in contruction at all. What are the chances of getting an entry level job with no experience? Is there anyting I should get (certifications ect) before applying?

Any tips on getting into one?

I used to be a field engineer for halliburton, you have a degree?

No, not yet. That was the main reason I was considering it. I got accepeted to the universities I applied too (1 for Molecular Biology, 1 for Physics and 1 for Engineering Sciences), but OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program) will not give me funding until I have lived away from home for two years. I am moving out February 1st, so that will begin the 24month time frame. I was considering getting a job on an oil rig in the meantime when I am waiting for school funding.

Ok, alot of guys work on oil rigs during the summer down here to pay for the rest of the year. For the money its great, however realize that most of what you make is overtime pay. You will work a 2 week on, 2 week off schedule most likely. Those 2 weeks on will be very rough work, and you will be outside rain, sleet, or snow. However, I am assuming you are going on drilling rigs, I am not too familiar with other types of rigs like production rigs. Plus, 95% of the people you meet will most likely be much different than your normal ATOT guy. When you get in the trailer after 12 hours of hard work, all they like to do it watch porn or hunting shows.

But you will be getting lots of $$$$$.

So will most of the cash I get be taxed as OT pay I take it? Also, I assume that I can get hired with just a high school diploma for now which is awesome =)

Is it better to try to go through a placement agency? Or is there a specific website where they usually post openings? All the searches I did on Google just brought up placement agencies.

Where do you live, if you were in south Louisiana I could direct you to some companies.

Dont forget, its rough a$$ work. But it will make a man out of you

I am in the exact same position as the OP, looking for a job this summer. I've always wanted to work on a rig as well. I live in California though..

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: RichardE

Is it better to try to go through a placement agency? Or is there a specific website where they usually post openings? All the searches I did on Google just brought up placement agencies.

Be careful! I used to have a similar lifestyle working long hours during the commercial fishing seasons in Alaska. I lived on Kodiak island and the canneries would most often pay the locals so we wouldn't quit.

Other people would fly in from the lower 48 who had been hooked up with placement agencies. They got a plane ticket north and later should recieve one going south. Orally they heard you'll be rich working 100 hour weeks and rolling in dough. When they arrived there was no work for them. They had to be up there working for a period of time to get a plane ticket home. They just sat around losing money. I and other locals were working.

Just be careful.

 

[imported_elwood]

Onshore drilling rigs = the hardest, nastiest work you'll ever do especially if you're going to be a "roughneck", Which is the only entry-level positions most offer i believe. The money is good though. You most likely work 7 days on 7 days off most likely.

Offshore production rigs is quite a bit cleaner and i'm sure the work is a little easier. Pay is higher if you can handle being surrounded by water for 7-7 or 14-14. I think it's harder to get an entry-level job on an offshore production platform though. Doesnt hurt to try.

As for getting certifications, i know quite a few people that work on onshore and offshore oil rigs and platforms and none of them have any degree's or certifications besides the ones required to do the work they're doing, which the company pays for upon hiring. I know one person, my best friend, who works offshore that is making close to a 6-digit income and he has no degree's or certifications. He's been doing oilfield related work for about 7 years now though.

I dont know how much help this will be. I just figured i'd let you in on what information i knew.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[skyking]

Lay of the drugs for a month or so before. They will test for all of them.

 

[BoomerD]

I've never worked the rigs, but I worked around them quite a bit when I lived in Wyoming and Colorado. Very hard, Very dirty, VERY dangerous work. Pays relatively well, especially once you work your way up the ladder. (IIRC, it's roughneck, wormhand, grease hand (or oiler) deck hand, drill hand, driller or something along those lines) At the bottom of the food chain, work is nasty, nasty, nasty...pay is ok, but not great...you'll work your ass off 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, sometimes 14 0n, 14 off, other times, on different schedules...most companies work similar schedules however, and may include rotating shifts.
This is not something you want to just jump into. Not exactly like working at your local Best Buy or McD's...Usually, you are on that job with no transportation of your own from whatever man-camp they have set up. You can't quit, because if you do, you can't stay at the man-camp if you're not an employee, but you can't leave, because you have no way home...and they're usually WAAAAAAAAY out in BFE somewhere...

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: BoomerD[

Certified Reef Addict

What's a "Certified Reef Addict?"

 

[BarneyFife]

Why do you have to live away from home for 2 years to get assistance? Seems rather stupid.

 

[BoomerD]

That's NOT reefer, if that's what ya were thinking...

Saltwater reef tanks...I've kept them since the early 80's, and tropical fish in general for well over 30 years...

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I think they are always hiring. The rigs in Louisisna and off of Texas constantly need help,

Look online for oil companies and email their HR department. Name of a town where these would be located is Houma, LA. Try that for a Monster search.

 

[uberman]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
That's NOT reefer, if that's what ya were thinking...

Saltwater reef tanks...I've kept them since the early 80's, and tropical fish in general for well over 30 years...

No, I'm a diver. That's why I was wondering.

 

[krazzypanda]

I dont know anything about getting jobs at oil rigs but my dad is currently working for a person at a oil rig site in Texas.

 

[RichardE]

Thanks for all the help guys, I am still interested in getting a job, but I think I will do it myself through help wanted ads ect instead of a placement agency.

 

[LS20]

http://www.slb.com/content/careers/jobs/apply.asp?

 

[waitman]

My brother in law works for ensign drilling and several of the hands are from Canada. He made right at 100 grand for the last year. His schedule is 28 on 14 off. My son works for a different company and he makes similar money, he works 7 on and 7 off. They both love the work. I used to work on rigs when I was younger. It was ok, best paying jobs around my area. Roughnecks are a different breed, so if you are a pansy in any way, I wouldn't advise it. Their is a reason they call them roughnecks. Most likely they will give you a lot of crap when you start out as a worm, but if you can take it you'll blend in after a while.
It is very dangerous, don't trust anyone else, a small mistake can get you killed or maimed. Gotta keep on guard all the time. Good luck.