What Is It Like To Work Offshore?
Oil drilling jobs which are based on oil platforms usually in the Gulf of Mexico for US workers are known as working offshore. What is it like to work offshore?
To begin with, the jobs, particularly the entry level jobs in the oil drilling field are physically demanding work. The Roustabouts and Roughnecks are responsible for all the duties that go along with making sure equipment is clean and in proper operating condition. They must deal with constant scraping rust and painting exposed surfaces. If you were to ask a roughneck or roustabout "what is it like to work offshore?" he might tell you that it is his responsibility to thread together the drill bits and to link the metal tubing used in the drilling process. He is the person who prepares the drilling paraphernalia to be move about on the drilling platform by placing a sling and securing it.
In order to know what it is like to work offshore, you would have to work 12 hour shifts as part of a drilling team. Your team might consist of two roughnecks or roustabouts, a derrick man, a motorman, a driller and a tool pusher.
You would probably be on the offshore drilling rig for a three week period, and then be onshore for the next three weeks. During the time you were working on the platform, the drilling would be going on 24 hours each day and 7 days each week.
You would be paid for your travel back and forth to the platform, either by ship or by helicopter. The drilling platform is supplied by a regular flotilla of supply ships. During your time offshore, you would have plenty of comfort in your accommodations and food. One of the things you can count on when you find out what it is like to work offshore is that your food and accommodations will be four or five star hotel quality.
You will want to know about your pay when learning what it is like to work offshore.
The pay is very good; particularly since the entry level jobs are mostly unskilled labor with no previous training or experience required. A roughneck can expect to earn about $300 per day. Those who have the desire to do a good job and want to advance can move up the ladder to more experienced jobs and earn even higher rates of pay.
One other factor which should enter into your thinking when you decide what it is like to work offshore is the danger. The job is unrelenting physical labor with a high level of noise constantly. The weather can be North Atlantic ice storms or Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and the work goes on. Occasionally there is danger from explosions and fire, although much crews and management as well have become much conscious of safety procedures in the wake of some loss of life accidents due to explosions.
Much information regarding what it is like to work offshore is available through job and career sites on the internet as well as recruitment sites. It would be to your advantage to review the material carefully before making your final decision.
To begin with, the jobs, particularly the entry level jobs in the oil drilling field are physically demanding work. The Roustabouts and Roughnecks are responsible for all the duties that go along with making sure equipment is clean and in proper operating condition. They must deal with constant scraping rust and painting exposed surfaces. If you were to ask a roughneck or roustabout "what is it like to work offshore?" he might tell you that it is his responsibility to thread together the drill bits and to link the metal tubing used in the drilling process. He is the person who prepares the drilling paraphernalia to be move about on the drilling platform by placing a sling and securing it.
In order to know what it is like to work offshore, you would have to work 12 hour shifts as part of a drilling team. Your team might consist of two roughnecks or roustabouts, a derrick man, a motorman, a driller and a tool pusher.
You would probably be on the offshore drilling rig for a three week period, and then be onshore for the next three weeks. During the time you were working on the platform, the drilling would be going on 24 hours each day and 7 days each week.
You would be paid for your travel back and forth to the platform, either by ship or by helicopter. The drilling platform is supplied by a regular flotilla of supply ships. During your time offshore, you would have plenty of comfort in your accommodations and food. One of the things you can count on when you find out what it is like to work offshore is that your food and accommodations will be four or five star hotel quality.
You will want to know about your pay when learning what it is like to work offshore.
The pay is very good; particularly since the entry level jobs are mostly unskilled labor with no previous training or experience required. A roughneck can expect to earn about $300 per day. Those who have the desire to do a good job and want to advance can move up the ladder to more experienced jobs and earn even higher rates of pay.
One other factor which should enter into your thinking when you decide what it is like to work offshore is the danger. The job is unrelenting physical labor with a high level of noise constantly. The weather can be North Atlantic ice storms or Gulf of Mexico hurricanes and the work goes on. Occasionally there is danger from explosions and fire, although much crews and management as well have become much conscious of safety procedures in the wake of some loss of life accidents due to explosions.
Much information regarding what it is like to work offshore is available through job and career sites on the internet as well as recruitment sites. It would be to your advantage to review the material carefully before making your final decision.
