Post: #26

If you're interested, check out a book called "Don't tell mom I work on the rigs: she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse" by Paul Carter. Really funny book by a guy who spent 10+ years in the oil industry. Definitely gives you a flavor of what the life is like.

Post: #27

I'm doing some research into this field. I didn't know that my uncle was a drilling engineer back in the 80's and worked on a rig. I am trying to contact him to learn more. However, He did graduate with a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech while I will be graduating in May with a B.A.

I hate my liberal arts degree more and more and I don't even have it yet.

Thanks for all the links and info Aliblahbla. Much appreciated from young guys looking at careers to support our lifestyles.

Post: #28

anyone have good links for Canadian company's ?

Post: #29

Wow, the info put up on this post is awsome and is definitly making me look twice at this industry.

Thanks!

Post: #30

(03-04-2011 11:28 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(03-01-2011 10:33 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(03-01-2011 08:48 PM)Tommy Wrote:  In Canada one can get a 15 days Floorhand course and start working at 26.50 CA$ per hour, 14 days/12 hours a day work, 7 days off. I heard one can work for a few months, take a break and return working for a while. I'm talking about manual labor.

That's 4,4k CA$ every 2 weeks or 6,6k CA$ a month.

2 weeks on, 1 week off....physical labor with good pay, mostly in Alberta. I ve heard a lot about 'Rig pigs' from friends of mine who live out in AB. No education required, 70K a year, lots of off time. Sounds good doesn't it.

The catch is the 'Rig pig' lifestyle. You will be in the middle of no where and in dire need of fun. So what to do? Well, rig pigs are notorious for spending all their money on hard drugs and hookers (much like truck drivers). Those weeks off are often end wasted partying in a nearby motel to your rig site. Tough habits to break once started.

Don't get me wrong, there are some guys who are smart. But its a tough culture to tread in.

Alberta is a unique place where trades make more than education. I know a lawyer who gave up his job at the firm to landscape. He got 90K in contracts in 4 months. You should consider a trade perhaps.

I agree Lucky. It takes financial discipline not to go broke during time off. Not all jobs require 12 hours of straight hard labor. Guys get bored and try to make up for "lost time". I used to do a lot of reading/studying during slow shifts. This helped my mental outlook when my rotation was over. 28/14 is the best money schedule and preferred by many. A month is a lot of time off, and opens the door to a destructive lifestyle. It's important to set constructive goals and financial limits.

Spoken like wise man.

Post: #31

(03-06-2011 04:54 PM)NeVerGymLess Wrote:  anyone have good links for Canadian company's ?

http://www.careersinoilandgas.com

lot of good information on the industry, mostly in Fort St. John, AB.

Post: #32

(03-04-2011 10:21 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Working in the GOM may not be bad either. It would put me in proximity of CA/SA. Decisions, decisions.

you met any mudloggers while you were out in the Gulf?

Post: #33

(03-31-2011 08:25 AM)Westsider Wrote:  

(03-04-2011 10:21 AM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Working in the GOM may not be bad either. It would put me in proximity of CA/SA. Decisions, decisions.

you met any mudloggers while you were out in the Gulf?

I worked on DP dive vessels and hung with mostly divers, tenders, and support personnel.

Post: #34

CNBC reports being a roustabout is the worst job in America, low paying, with poor future outlook.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41004581/?slide=11

Post: #35

(04-19-2011 02:04 PM)raliv Wrote:  CNBC reports being a roustabout is the worst job in America, low paying, with poor future outlook.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41004581/?slide=11

This is quite contrary to everything else in this thread... can anyone clarify this situation?

I've got a business bachelor's degree, so I was thinking maybe it's time I try to get my foot in the door and become one of those crazy Texas Oil Men, like they used to have on that show Dallas. Somehow, it just makes sense to me.

Post: #36

go for it dude..i thought about it myself.

Post: #37

(03-02-2011 12:09 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  Here's a data sheet on the gas/oil industry jobs. It's not a white collar/luxurious lifestyle but it can provide the income and months off to live the lifestyle we all desire.

I worked for awhile in the GOM and made top dollar. It didn't come w/out stress as we were in direct support of other's lives and seconds could reflect the end results. Unlike other industries the oil companies sit on “free” money. The faster they produce the more you make...in general.

There are two camps; onshore and offshore. Take your pick. Offshore is more dangerous but exciting and onshore will probably have you sitting somewhere that sux. Either way the company has to pay for your food and shelter. This rocks for the minimalist lifestyle and let's you save up for longer trips abroad.

Advantages:
1.Free food and housing.
2.Large chunks of time off.
3.Independent company resource income.
4.Fat paychecks.

Disadvantages:
1.Long hours.
2.Dangerous.
3.Travel times.
4.Shit scheduling (sometimes).

Jobs range from basic cooks to experienced techs/engineers to project managers. It's not terribly hard to break into the industry. $15 an hour was a normal starting wage in the Gulf of Mexico. I started with a six digit salary having a solid technical/leadership background and no experience in the industry. Experienced divers can make$1K per day. Rotations vary but can include 28 days on/28 off. My company couldn't schedule shit which is the main reason I left.

Living conditions vary. Some older rigs suck but most companies pay out to make their people happy. Once you get some experience out there it's easy to move to another job. Working for a headhunter agency is a good way to feel around the companies.

You can really be a fuckup and stay afloat. Felons and drug addics were getting hired while I was out there. I ain't promising you a rose garden. At least you know where they stand. Better than a slithering white collar piece of shit that will suck the bosses dick to get you fired, and smile to your face the whole time.

For younger guys it can lead to promising careers. It sucks being a “rig pig” but not all of us suddenly became rich and successful w/out ever getting dirty hands...like a few members on this forum. Most careers require doing your time in the trenches.

Get some time under your belt and overseas jobs will start to open. Iraq will eventually open some big paying opportunities. I spent enough time in that shithole to know. I was offered $80K last year to work on hydraulics in Dubai and scoffed at the pay. You can even work in the ME, meet girls, get laid and even married if you so choose. My last passport was approx. 25% full of Kuwaiti stamps. LOL. I've spent years in the region and know it well.

Oh yeah, as for the job descriptions? Well, IME I've held jobs that “required” masters degrees, 20 years, experience, ect. Ect. Blah blah blah. It comes down to the needs of the company and how you sell yourself.

This is all I can think of right now. Actually, I'm considering jumping back in. As fun as getting shot at and blown up in war-torn shitholes it may be time for a career change. If anyone has any questions let me know.

Yeah i completely understand you. I have just moved to Angola and im currently working for a petroleum company here in the area of human resources and i have been looking at the job contracts that expatriates with experience in the oil field gets and it completely amuses me. I have seen a diver that gets 12k a day, the minimum i have seen was 500 dollars a day, but most of those people have a high level of experience.

I also want to be involved in the petroleum industry, matterfact i regret not graduate in that field (i had no idea how lucrative it could be). I see that welding inspectors get really good money here. Do you know of any way to become a welding inspector without having to go back to uni and waste 4 or 5 years? If thats the only option then i dont think i would mind going down that route.

But i would like to read what you have to say about studying in that area or how to get experience in it. Thanks

p.s. I dont necessarily have to do welding inspection it can be anything in the petroleum industry as long as it pays well

Post: #38

What kind of opportunities are there in the oil and gas industry for someone with an MS in mechanical engineering but little work experience?

Also, recreational scuba divers I've talked to have told me that these industrial diving jobs might pay well, but can cause brain damage and serious health problems if you do them long enough - anyone heard anything about this?

Post: #39

(04-24-2011 02:56 AM)Irminsul Wrote:  What kind of opportunities are there in the oil and gas industry for someone with an MS in mechanical engineering but little work experience?

Also, recreational scuba divers I've talked to have told me that these industrial diving jobs might pay well, but can cause brain damage and serious health problems if you do them long enough - anyone heard anything about this?

you can get your 3\a engineering license with a mechanical engineering degree and 6 months sea time?

Post: #40

"I've done some research and I've noticed that field workers in the oil & gas industry are making good money in Canada ($70k). Anyone has more information about this? "

I've been checking out this form for a few weeks now and just stumbled upon this topic, which happens to be something I know a lot about as I've been working in the Canadian oil industry for the past 4 years, in a place called Fort McMurray, Alberta.

First of all, $70K a year is low, I made around $140K last year working a 2 week on 1 week off rotation and still took a 5 week caribbean/florida vacation. I'd say 100K is the minimum a guy should be taking in, I personally know guys 18-21 who make around 150K, an experienced hand can pull in 200-250K working year round. Its Sunday so I"m making double time today, $80/hr to write this post! Most of these jobs require a guy to live in remote work camps and they are flown in and out from Calgary or Edmonton.

Myself, I just started a new rotation, month in and month out and my company pays for my flights to wherever I want (up to $1000).

There are of course some downsides: the winters here are brutally cold (I've seen -42 celcius here) and long, lasting from about november until May, Canadian taxes are high, work hours are long (10-12 hrs/day minimum, often times longer) isolation from friends and family, there are A LOT of morons working up here (excons, deadbeat dads, crack heads,etc).

Despite the bad things, I wouldn't work anywhere else in the world. As far as oil fields go, this one is one of the highest paying in the world and it doesn't involve working on an isolated oil rig in the ocean or 3rd world shit hole! Some of the camps are very nice and modern, decent food (all you can eat buffet 3 times a day) complete with awesome gyms and rec centres, even personal trainers available.

I encourage any of you that are interested to apply for a visa and come up here to work, there are already thousands of Americans up here already and I run into the odd Brit and Aussi too.

Here's some vids for info: any questions guys, just ask, I'd be glad to help!


I can't post links yet so youtube:
Fort McMoney - Oil Sands Boom
60 Minutes - The Alberta Oil Sands

Post: #41

Fuuuck working in Fort McMurray unless your using it to fund your relatively cheaper Canadian University education or some other similar Bootstrap operation and you don't have much else of a choice. It's not nice to live in Fort McMurray, and if you have the right skills you can make mad cash doing other stuff:

http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-alberta-1-of-3

Post: #42

(09-10-2011 11:45 PM)ersatz Wrote:  Fuuuck working in Fort McMurray unless your using it to fund your relatively cheaper Canadian University education or some other similar Bootstrap operation and you don't have much else of a choice. It's not nice to live in Fort McMurray, and if you have the right skills you can make mad cash doing other stuff:

http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-alberta-1-of-3

well tell us about other specific jobs and locations you would recommend

Post: #43

http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/where-to-find-a-job

Get the skills for the higher paying jobs. Money seems to go to finance, tech, natural resources, other large capital projects and entrepreneurs willing to make a business that can go big which isn't too surprising. Closer you are to cash stream the easier it is to get the cash out of it. Yeah Dubai is a bit of a weird shit hole where you have to get iris scanned to get a work visa, they'll probably take your passport so you don't run away and is a nation built on modern slavery (It honesty feels like some occult group sacrificed their souls to a genie to create this unnatural city out of the sand from the outside, but it's really just abu dhabi oil money and not being as stupid as other arab nations) but you can hook up with the other expats there, and Europe isn't too far away.

--

But otherwise, if your Canadian or otherwise, won't have the skills for a few years and you want access to a good chunk of money now to get that vital vital bootstrap cash, don't let my whining about -40 weather and social isolation stop you. Fort McMurray does have warm summer months too, and Scandinavia is full of sexy blondes (Fort McMurray, not so much). It's like any other mining or oil rig job, except that some of them might have better weather. Hell I know stories of women who moved to fucking Whitehorse to basically get back at their baby daddy and make life difficult for the Baby Daddy. People are born and raised in Alaska. One reason I moved south because I want nice weather to bike in 24/7, and I got it down here.

Just realize that general managers of a region of gas stations can even make $70'000

Post: #44

Scotian thanks very much for the breakdown about working in Canada.

I just got a job offer from Chevron in Africa and im start working for them offshore in 2 weeks as a hse trainee. I will be on 28 days on, 28 days off rotation and the paying is kinda bad for a trainee ($100 per day) but because i have my businesses on the side, i decided to take the offer and get the experience for at least 2 yrs (im 25 yrs old now).

I was looking to move to afeganistan after here because i thought they had the highest paying zone in the world, but seems like in Canada they paying even higher than Afeganistan right?

Im a british citizen and i would love to move to Fort Mcmurray. After getting my 2 years of experience from where i am, how can i move to Fort Mcmurray? Any site where i can apply for a job directly? I would be really glad if you could tell me how to get in touch with these people.

+1 from me.

Post: #45

@Pitt- Is your company gonna get you Nebosh certified? Hang in there until you get out of the trainee stage. You've got your foot in the door.

Post: #46

Yeah Ali they talked to me about getting nebosh certificate but i still didnt really understand how it works, but i think i will do it after the first 2 yrs, but im not looking to stay with them for that long.

Post: #47

I can't vouch for Fort Mac as what I have heard is all heresay. I have only heard rough things about it, and Albertans try to stay away from the place and work out of better locations.

I come from an old school Oil family from Alberta and most of my huge family is tied into the O&G industry in some way or another. I will try and shed some insight on here.

- Grande Prairie is a pretty decent town and the centre of the oil and gas industry in northern Alberta. Fort Mac has its Sag B and oil sands but it is not diverse.

- Hinton or Edson are nice little towns, and there is a lot of work on the east slopes of the rockys. Mostly gas these days. Close to Jasper.

Grande Prairie is your best bet if you want to live a relatively normal life while making $. There is actually nightlife there, with some hot girls if you go out on the right night.

Post: #48

What happened to scotian? I hate when cats join a forum, give great information, tell other users that they can ask him any questions they want and then leaves the forum and never comes back again..damn.

Post: #49

Great thread! I've been thinking about resource extraction industries like O&G or mining for the geographic mobility and money for a little while as some members of my family used to be in development and exploration; I grew up around core samples and the like.

Does anyone have any ideas about the IT needs of these remote locations? Is there a market for specialized network engineering services or something similar? If so, what kind of certs, experience, or whatever do they use out there?

Post: #50

Malcom i have met this british guy on my camp who is a document controller and he is making 18000 dollars on 28 days rotation and he is only 26. But he has 9 yrs of experience. Money rains in this industry.