What Is It Like To Work On An Oil Rig?
The economies of many seashore communities depend upon off-shore oil drilling for survival. This means that an oil rig job can be quite lucrative. However, these jobs can also be dangerous as well. The good news about working on an oil rig is that you don’t need superior studies. In other words, you don’t need a college degree to work with subsea safety systems, and people employed in this industry make pretty good money. Some people work directly on the rigs, while others work for companies that make and maintain drilling equipment, like PRT Offshore.
Regardless of what job you’re eyeing, there are things you should know before submitting your CV. In order to give you a little insight on what this job is like, we’ve prepared a short article for you. Keep on reading below!
Considering An Oil Rig Job? Things To Know Before Submitting Your CV:
The Ships Are Very Large For A Reason
The ships that drill off-shore oil wells are really, really big. That’s for a very good reason. Why? Because in the case of oil rig ships, the bigger the ship, the better. It’s all about safety and mass. This gives stability to the entire oil rig. And you need stability when you are offshore, on water.
These ships have to carry millions of pounds of drilling equipment and supplies. The ship must also be large enough to maintain stability while the well is drilled. Finally, it has to be big enough to withstand the hurricanes that are common in the areas where the oil is located.
You’ll Arrive There By Helicopter
Your employer will send a helicopter to pick you up. Then, you will land on the boat deck. While it may sound a little extra, this is actually the easiest and quickest means of transportation. It’s literally the quickest way to get to and from the drilling ship. When you get to the ship, you will be shown a training video and taught about safety procedures and rules to follow, then you will be free to settle in before starting work.
In terms of capacity, generally speaking, oil rigs tend to house between 180 and 200 employees at a time. What’s important to note is that not all of these people are there to drill for oil. Some of the people who work on the ship are actually involved in different activities. For example, some workers are responsible for sailing. Others are responsible for maintaining the vessel in good shape. Then there are the rest of them, namely the support staff. In other words, oil rigs employ cooks, cleaners and other worker categories. These are all important in order to ensure everything flows smoothly. Also, there are overseers. These people oversee the drilling process and make sure regulations are followed.
It’s A Dirty Job In More Than One Way
The work is difficult and intense, but if you thrive in that kind of environment, it can be very exciting. For example, certain phobias such as fear of heights or fire instantly disqualify you. They are deal-breakers because working on an oil rig requires you to be near fire and heights.
You need to not have a fear of heights to work on an off-shore oil rig. There are many areas where fear of heights would be a problem, such as elevated walkways and rigging. There are also some parts of the job that involve being around open flames, so if that is an issue for you, this might not be a good job choice. In any case, work on an oil rig is heavy and greasy.
Plenty Of Recreation Opportunities
When employees are not on duty, they have plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge their batteries, so to speak. These oil rig ships are equipped with dining rooms and other recreation facilities and places where the employees can meet with other fellow employees. That’s when most of the socializing takes place, as well as the moment when friendships are born. Of the things you can do on an oil rig ship, a lot are quite entertaining. For example, you and your colleagues can watch movies together or play games.
Of course, if you are the type who needs alone time to relax and recharge, you can always spend your time in your quarters. Depending upon the company and the job description, some people have private accommodations and others stay in dorm-like arrangements, but most shower facilities are shared.
Although the work is often physically demanding and dirty, employment on a rig pays well and is exciting for the right kind of person. Upon reading this article, we hope you have a clearer picture of what a job on an oil rig is all about. It takes someone who isn’t afraid of heights, fire, and shared showers!
