(10-04-2014 10:28 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  I will be contacting people about resumes tomorrow. This job has been kinda hectic so far and only getting properly set up today/tonight.

This is probably the muddiest lease I have ever seen. I have already ripped the mud flaps off my truck and seen multiple people drive straight off the road into the ditch. The 10km to camp is like some pro level out of a rally simulation video game.
Its pretty epic haha

First batch of people contacted about resumes. I can only do so many in a week so first come first served. I should get these all done this week and will contact people about payment and emailing it to them once they are finished.

Hopefully works out well for everyone and I am excited to see how people will do with getting hired.

If anyone needs to make some quick money until you find a decent camp job, I just left a residential reno/building construction company on good terms and the ex employer is still looking for a hard worker with general labourer experience in either home reno or building. The guy has a self sufficient trailer on site where he's working on a new million dollar log home, he also just bought a crack shack literally next door that he's moving into tommorow and will be renovating so he's got a lot of work.

He encourages long hours, 7 day work weeks and occupancy in the trailer, he's also open to allowing occupancy in the home he will be renovating. He will also pay for your grocery bill if you demand it. It's a unique gig, only thing is he's got a bit of a short fuse (dealbreaker for me) but if you got thick skin than this may be the ideal job to prepare you for the rigs. You would be the only occupant in the trailer most likely and he only has two employees at the moment.

The man has plenty of connections around Alberta in all fields so if you prove a good work ethic he can help you out.

Pays 20/hr and if you ask him to pay you as a subcontractor you can write off enough shit to make it even more worthwhile.

He prefers a person with a vehicle, however if you have no vehicle than living there is the other option otherwise it won't work out so pm me if you're interested.

He's 4/20 friendly.

(10-05-2014 10:06 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  He's 4/20 friendly.

Is that some kind of work rotation!??

(10-05-2014 10:10 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 10:06 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  He's 4/20 friendly.

Is that some kind of work rotation!??

It's the pot head rotation, 4 days on 20 days off.

(10-05-2014 10:06 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  If anyone needs to make some quick money until you find a decent camp job, I just left a residential reno/building construction company on good terms and the ex employer is still looking for a hard worker with general labourer experience in either home reno or building. The guy has a self sufficient trailer on site where he's working on a new million dollar log home, he also just bought a crack shack literally next door that he's moving into tommorow and will be renovating so he's got a lot of work.

He encourages long hours, 7 day work weeks and occupancy in the trailer, he's also open to allowing occupancy in the home he will be renovating. He will also pay for your grocery bill if you demand it. It's a unique gig, only thing is he's got a bit of a short fuse (dealbreaker for me) but if you got thick skin than this may be the ideal job to prepare you for the rigs. You would be the only occupant in the trailer most likely and he only has two employees at the moment.

The man has plenty of connections around Alberta in all fields so if you prove a good work ethic he can help you out.

Pays 20/hr and if you ask him to pay you as a subcontractor you can write off enough shit to make it even more worthwhile.

He prefers a person with a vehicle, however if you have no vehicle than living there is the other option otherwise it won't work out so pm me if you're interested.

He's 4/20 friendly.

That sounds like the sketchiest job description I've read.

(10-06-2014 06:57 AM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(10-05-2014 10:06 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  If anyone needs to make some quick money until you find a decent camp job, I just left a residential reno/building construction company on good terms and the ex employer is still looking for a hard worker with general labourer experience in either home reno or building. The guy has a self sufficient trailer on site where he's working on a new million dollar log home, he also just bought a crack shack literally next door that he's moving into tommorow and will be renovating so he's got a lot of work.

He encourages long hours, 7 day work weeks and occupancy in the trailer, he's also open to allowing occupancy in the home he will be renovating. He will also pay for your grocery bill if you demand it. It's a unique gig, only thing is he's got a bit of a short fuse (dealbreaker for me) but if you got thick skin than this may be the ideal job to prepare you for the rigs. You would be the only occupant in the trailer most likely and he only has two employees at the moment.

The man has plenty of connections around Alberta in all fields so if you prove a good work ethic he can help you out.

Pays 20/hr and if you ask him to pay you as a subcontractor you can write off enough shit to make it even more worthwhile.

He prefers a person with a vehicle, however if you have no vehicle than living there is the other option otherwise it won't work out so pm me if you're interested.

He's 4/20 friendly.

That sounds like the sketchiest job description I've read.

Yeah, also the realest job description you will ever read. It's not really a crack shack he's renovating though, that was kind of toungue in cheek, I'm just assuming as it was an abandoned home for sale by the bank. On the other hand I also don't like to sugar coat anything. Good gig to have if you want to take a couple weekdays off to get your tickets as you can work on the weekend to make up for the lost hours. Hours are flexible.

Sign me up!!!

A lot of these kijiji ads sound like that. I just phoned a guy for some construction help, told me he'd call back later



What areas of town should be avoided?

I was driving around yesterday and went through some shithole east-hastings looking place but, no offense to proud Edmontonians, a lot of the town looks pretty run down. Ive heard the northeast is the worst, but anything north should be avoided.

I'm looking at a place today in the Kingsway area by the superstore. Everything cheap seems to be just north of the river, but not way north. A lot of stuff is centered around NAIT, UofA and the rest of colleges/unis

(10-06-2014 09:06 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Sign me up!!!

A lot of these kijiji ads sound like that. I just phoned a guy for some construction help, told me he'd call back later



What areas of town should be avoided?

I was driving around yesterday and went through some shithole east-hastings looking place but, no offense to proud Edmontonians, a lot of the town looks pretty run down. Ive heard the northeast is the worst, but anything north should be avoided.

I'm looking at a place today in the Kingsway area by the superstore. Everything cheap seems to be just north of the river, but not way north. A lot of stuff is centered around NAIT, UofA and the rest of colleges/unis

From my limited experience of the city I can agree with this. Scotian has written a bit about all the different areas around Edmonton. Obviously living around Whyte Ave or Jasper Ave would be ideal but until your working may not be possible. A lot of the places I was looking at were around Kingsway, doesn't seem like a bad area just not much to do out there.

Walking 101 street from the city centre heading north just as the sun is setting is a surreal experience. You start off in the heart of downtown and slowy block by block you end in a scene from the walking dead haha

That sounds awesome

I just checked out my work site and it overlooks some big park and downtown gonna spend half the time looking at the view

working for cash through a guy. hopefully it all pans out he seems good. says he'll pay me when he gets paid every 2 weeks. should I be concerned or what?

got a call from another place supposed to go in for an interview but I don't know which of the addresses it's for. I literally applied to 5 places all just gen labor so it's not a huge loss.

Hello all,

You guys have provided me with some great reading material over the last couple of weeks, I didn't want to rush into my first post but figured the best place to start was to tell you a little bit about myself and my story.

Today:
I'm mid twenties and made the move to Alberta to work in the oil patch two years ago. Currently I work as a contractor for a major energy company up North, making over 10,000 a month with relative ease. 12 Hour days, 14 days on 7 days off.

Past:
I had previously made the move to the USA, working as an MWD for a small directional outfit but due to visa issues I had to return home.

Friendships:
A close friend of mine (He goes by the name of Atlantic) who I had originally given info to about the oilfield lifestyle in the USA to had moved to Canada and phoned me to do the same.

Networking:
I arrived in Canada with no more than 2500 dollars of savings in my pocket. I started work as soon as possible to keep a cash flow coming in for food and rent, with my savings going towards field tickets and a drivers License. I spent the summer networking as best I could. I acquired my MWD job in the USA working behind a bar in a restaurant (even oil guys have to eat!) and found something similar in Edmonton working in a Café. Working behind the counter people would be forced to talk with me. Not being form Canada my accent nearly always prompts the question where are you from? Quickly followed by why are you here? You never know who holds the key that could catapult you to the top of an employers list.

Boots on the Ground:
Going door to door isn't easy but it is the quickest way to find out the real story of where you truly stand with an employer and getting employed.

Job offers:
I received four offers, three to go drilling as an MWD and one as a coordinator within an O&G construction team. I took the coordinator position.

The material on this thread is "Grade A" for anyone thinking of moving to Alberta. The guys here (Scotian in particular) have spared nothing in bringing quality information, it alone is a true guide if not a golden ticket to succeeding in the oil sands. Above in brief is my personal success story. Its a hard road but usually if something isn't hard its probably not worth doing! Feel free to ask questions. I'll do my best to answer and thanks for reading.

Yellowstone is a very good buddy of mine from back home that a few members have already meet.

This guy gave me the original info on how to get into MWDing that I used to succeed, along with Scotians thread.

Welcome to the forum man!

Welcome to the forum Yellowstone.

Just wondering, do you hold any engineering degree? If yes, do you think that is the reason why you got the MWD job?

(10-06-2014 09:06 AM)WesternCancer Wrote:  Sign me up!!!

A lot of these kijiji ads sound like that. I just phoned a guy for some construction help, told me he'd call back later



What areas of town should be avoided?

I was driving around yesterday and went through some shithole east-hastings looking place but, no offense to proud Edmontonians, a lot of the town looks pretty run down. Ive heard the northeast is the worst, but anything north should be avoided.

I'm looking at a place today in the Kingsway area by the superstore. Everything cheap seems to be just north of the river, but not way north. A lot of stuff is centered around NAIT, UofA and the rest of colleges/unis

Basically the northern half of this city (anything above the river) is East Hastings lol

The southern half is a lot better. A lot of nice new neighborhoods are going up in the SW of the city. I love how most of us Vancouverites think EH is such an eyesore when in reality it's pretty much just one miserable block in a city that's 4 times the size of Edmonton. Here half the city is East Hastings and the other half is meh... The river valley is nice though. The downtown area will get a lot better by 2020.

Way to go Yellowstone, grats on your success and thanks for the inspirational post!

Playing the odds...

[attachment=21962]

So there is 282 rigs running in AB and 426 total. By peak winter that will maybe move up to 400 Alberta and 650 total.

Not all rigs have directional drillers. They might be drilling a well that doesn't have a directional element.

Also some rigs don't need two MWDs, the rig I am working on right now has only me.

So you have maybe 200 rigs at the moment that need MWDs and only half might need two. So that would make 300 MWD jobs for all of Alberta.

If 10% quit/get fired every year and they need 10% more for new projects that makes 60 new jobs total this winter. Not all trainees will last so probably about 90 new jobs over the space of the winter.

If you are aiming for MWDing this winter just be aware that there is a limited amount of space and it will be spaced throughout the winter.


If you compare that with welding or another trade where there is 100s/1000s of jobs that odds of getting hired are a lot smaller (and slower) with MWDing. I am not trying to burst anyone's plan but just be aware it is a competitive job role and it plan accordingly.

Try cover yourself by at least applying for a leasehand/roughneck position as well. If you don't think you arnt able to work the rig floor you probably won't last as an MWD either.

I would also look into and apply for a few jobs in a completely different job area too.

This isn't to discourage anyone but just to keep this thread realistic. I think those that do apply correctly and have thread the thread stand a good chance but there is only a limited amount of jobs to start with and drilling can be one of the tougher environments regardless of what job role you are in.

(10-07-2014 10:15 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  Try cover yourself by at least applying for a leasehand/roughneck position as well. If you don't think you arnt able to work the rig floor you probably won't last as an MWD either.

I think thats a steep exaggeration, but good info other than that. From what one mwd told me, sagd operations run 4 mwd hands, is that true?

If you go MWD you eventually become a lead MWD. This involves a substantial amount of 'rigging in', 'rigging out', building tools, picking up tools and laying down tools. Thats fancy talk for spending time on the floor in one form or another.

You also have to direct (be in charge of) all floor activities that involves your equipment so you got to be able to vibe with the driller, direction driller, company man and the crew. They will be able to tell pretty fast what kind of guy you are and won't have much respect for you if you aren't rig material. That is just the way it is.

Why do you think its a steep exaggeration?

(10-07-2014 06:07 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  If you go MWD you eventually become a lead MWD. This involves a substantial amount of 'rigging in', 'rigging out', building tools, picking up tools and laying down tools. Thats fancy talk for spending time on the floor in one form or another.

You also have to direct (be in charge of) all floor activities that involves your equipment so you got to be able to vibe with the driller, direction driller, company man and the crew. They will be able to tell pretty fast what kind of guy you are and won't have much respect for you if you aren't rig material. That is just the way it is.

Why do you think its a steep exaggeration?

trip pipe for 6 hours in 35C weather, sweat soaked in invert dripping in your eye. Cant wipe it with anything since you are covered in invert. O great finally BHA. MWD just chillin in the dog house or in the corner by the rails. Pipe spinner too small to grip BHA assembly, using chain tongs running around, putting out. All eyes on you and the other floorhand. Driller yelling. MWD tool shocking you. Moving heavy as fuck mud motor to v-door. Heavy dog collar on each connection for BHA. Atleast the BHA slips are lighter. O nm you gotta pull and thow them on your own, other floorhand is getting the thread protector. Changing drilling bit, running tongs from your knees. O I forgot, pull bushings out. Driller screaming. Coveralls drenched in sweat. Shin and knee get hit against steel in the hectic running around. Hide the limp, run get the dog collar again. Hole is open, run get the hole cover. Nubbin. Dehydrated, wrist cramping out with the tongs. Mwd comes, latch to mwd tool, pull it out, send it out the v door. Hook new one, bring it to floor, toss it in. MWD claps his hands and head to the shack. Run her back in for the next 6 hours. With a slip and cut at some point. Boots slurping with all the sweat inside them.

^^^Damn I'm glad I don't work on the rigs, looks like we have a little MWD-lease hand rivalry going on here eh?

If anyone wants some construction/drywalling/framing cash-work the guy I'm working for would probably be interested once he gets a few more contracts

(10-06-2014 04:50 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  working for cash through a guy. hopefully it all pans out he seems good. says he'll pay me when he gets paid every 2 weeks. should I be concerned or what?

Why would you risk getting scammed if there's thousands legit jobs? Don't just jump onto the next best thing. Those things usually never work out unless that guy actually has a legit company and has you hired as a contractor.

(10-07-2014 09:06 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 04:50 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  working for cash through a guy. hopefully it all pans out he seems good. says he'll pay me when he gets paid every 2 weeks. should I be concerned or what?

Why would you risk getting scammed if there's thousands legit jobs? Don't just jump onto the next best thing. Those things usually never work out unless that guy actually has a legit company and has you hired as a contractor.

He lent me a bunch of tools which I take home with me so if he doesn't pay up I have leverage.

(10-07-2014 09:06 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(10-06-2014 04:50 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  working for cash through a guy. hopefully it all pans out he seems good. says he'll pay me when he gets paid every 2 weeks. should I be concerned or what?

Why would you risk getting scammed if there's thousands legit jobs? Don't just jump onto the next best thing. Those things usually never work out unless that guy actually has a legit company and has you hired as a contractor.

You do it because you got laid off from your legit job but you're receiving pogey (Employment Insurance) so you work cash jobs for extra income, or you're a crack head and want cash at the end of each day.

Wake up take a hot shower, eat my cereal and make a smoothie. Get dressed walk to the shack (fast its cold outside) and check whats on tv. Nothing good so browse the web and check my emails. We are tripping pipe so I only have six hours to get my toolbox ready for the floor. Didnt sleep so well cause the heat was on too high. Take a nap. Directional guy gets a text so now I am awake. Read a book and go on the forums for a bit. Make a sandwich. Go on tinder. Tools are only an hour from surface. Get my boots ready and put on my coveralls. Have another sandwich. Rig service. Wait another hour. Shift change so night guy will do tools instead. Go back to sleeper shack. Watch movie. Bed

My original point was not to compare the jobs oilbreh. The floor is obviously a lot harder. It was to say that an office type cant hide for too long as an mwd without getting pushed out. There is the odd day that does require a lot of stress. Ive had multiple times where Ive been up over thirty hours with technical issues and the company man is roaring at you. My last trainee fucked a basic task up and lost a project worth several million. I had to deal with that situation and the fallout.

My point was if you couldn't handle the floor you probably should pass on MWDing too. The physicality is not the same but the attitude and environment is similar.

I did enjoy that though.