Post: #26

(10-18-2016 09:07 PM)Jnx Wrote:  Try 120 days on for 12 hours per day in isolation surrounded by a worse crowd than the oil patch. I'm really starting to hate the maritime sector.

Can't complain about 120 days off though -_-

Ah, remember the good old days, 6 month trips. What kind of ship you on Jnx?

Hopefully not a tanker!!

Post: #27

(10-19-2016 03:39 AM)scotian Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 09:07 PM)Jnx Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 03:25 AM)scotian Wrote:  Oil industry is probably the best for these jobs, its what I do, I recently left a 14/14 job in Alberta and am about to get a job offshore where the rotation will be 21/21. Something that a lot of guys don't consider is how long a month actually is when you're working 12 hours per day and living in an isolated work camp or rig, it fucking sucks! Also, a month off is a long time and you have to manage your money well, many guys don't, a month is a long time to party and travel.

Try 120 days on for 12 hours per day in isolation surrounded by a worse crowd than the oil patch. I'm really starting to hate the maritime sector.

Can't complain about 120 days off though -_-

Fuck, I'd probably go insane, are you on the boat the entire time?

Yeah, pretty much man. Depends on the ship, but even if you're on one where you're in port often and can get off, do you really want to? Na. You're giving up what little sleep you get since we're on watch schedules where you get a max of 8 hours off.

(10-19-2016 05:12 AM)Renton1875 Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 09:07 PM)Jnx Wrote:  Try 120 days on for 12 hours per day in isolation surrounded by a worse crowd than the oil patch. I'm really starting to hate the maritime sector.

Can't complain about 120 days off though -_-

Ah, remember the good old days, 6 month trips. What kind of ship you on Jnx?

Hopefully not a tanker!!

Thankfully haven't been stuck for 6 months yet I'd go absolutely insane. Most I've done is 127 days.

Been on every major type of ship, last trip was a tanker. Meh, wasn't so bad. Most professional and respectful crew in comparison to the others. Favorite has been a heavy lift ship carrying general cargo.

Post: #28

I worked on a few ships last year on the west coast of Canada, one of them was a massive Norweigen cruise ship that had an interesting crew including some of the hottest Euro looking babes I've ever seen. I can imagine there's some pretty fun crew parties on massive ships like that.

So I took the offshore gig, I'm finishing up my Basic Survival Training course (how not to die if the helicopter crashes) and fly out Monday morning for a two week hitch. I don't think I'll have a set rotation but I can already tell that they want me to work a lot which kinda sucks because I usually travel in the winter. Maybe I'll buy an ATV or a snow mobile BRAP BRAP BRAAAAAAP!

Post: #29

(10-20-2016 03:35 AM)scotian Wrote:  I worked on a few ships last year on the west coast of Canada, one of them was a massive Norweigen cruise ship that had an interesting crew including some of the hottest Euro looking babes I've ever seen. I can imagine there's some pretty fun crew parties on massive ships like that.

So I took the offshore gig, I'm finishing up my Basic Survival Training course (how not to die if the helicopter crashes) and fly out Monday morning for a two week hitch. I don't think I'll have a set rotation but I can already tell that they want me to work a lot which kinda sucks because I usually travel in the winter. Maybe I'll buy an ATV or a snow mobile BRAP BRAP BRAAAAAAP!

Good move man, take it and don't look back. Offshore is the best industry to be in and one thing will lead to another and soon you'll be working that 21/21 rotation or even better a Norwegian roster, working 5 months a year and not spending a cent while you're offshore.

The downside is you're stuck offshore for 3 weeks, potentially sharing a cabin with another or maybe 3 others, and no pussy in sight.

Post: #30

@Scotian I am curious when applying for your current gig did you go through union dispatch or were you just cruising indeed or rigzone or something?

I'm going back up to the big dirty as an apprentice sparky in camp but wouldn't mind trying the offshore work. Just not sure how to go about it.

Post: #31

Its non-union which kinda sucks, if you're a ticketed electrician and want to go offshore look into taking the IRATA level one course and the Basic Survival Training (BST). They'll set you back about 5 Gs but you'll probably get work, I was hired on day 2 of my BST course just by talking to two guys who's company happened to be looking for guys. PM me if you want more info.

Post: #32

(10-18-2016 02:51 AM)American Jesus Wrote:  Anyone have any more insight in how to pull off this lifestyle? I am American but currently live in Norway studying a Russian degree having taught myself Norwegian for the free education, but I'm starting to wonder if this is a dead-end career-wise and looking at alternatives.

My friend who has a Norwegian mother recently got an apprenticeship on a ship working 4 weeks on 4 weeks off but apparently you need to be a Norwegian citizen to get the apprenticeship..anyone got any ideas of how to break into a job where we can live this lifestyle? From what I understand it is basically possible to work half of your life and the other half travel freely with two months of pay dosposable income for each off period, sounds like a dream come true to a wanderer like me. Would really appreciate any ideas or feedback.

I have been living 4weeks on 4 weeks off lifestyle for more than 5 years now. Last year I have been single without any ties. This is a best way to travel and bang, as your flights get payed for, you get half year off and good wage. However I am tired and I am planning to take some time off.

The problem is oil price is low now. Market is in bad condition. Even people with experience are sitting at home without jobs. But it is a good time to start education, pick up necessary courses if you have money to invest.

Your best bet is offshore wind. Similar money, similar industry, but it is in much better condition economically as it is heavily subsidized in Europe.

They have just started building first ever offshore wind park off the coast of New York. So it might be worth looking into.

Post: #33

I just got on with a contractor in Afghanistan. 2 months on 2 months off. Just got my rotations today finally. I was on medical hold.

Those jobs aren't just for the offshore oil rigs. Look for the military contractors and also the maritime guys. Good luck.

Post: #34

(10-20-2016 09:13 PM)Belize King Wrote:  I just got on with a contractor in Afghanistan. 2 months on 2 months off. Just got my rotations today finally. I was on medical hold.

Those jobs aren't just for the offshore oil rigs. Look for the military contractors and also the maritime guys. Good luck.

Both jobs can get you killed. Although in offshore you won't be asked to kill...

Or do you mean doing peaceful work e.g. being a technician or an electrician?

Post: #35

I'm a supply guy. My company does security work also but logistics and IT was what I was referring to.

Post: #36

(10-20-2016 03:35 AM)scotian Wrote:  I worked on a few ships last year on the west coast of Canada, one of them was a massive Norweigen cruise ship that had an interesting crew including some of the hottest Euro looking babes I've ever seen. I can imagine there's some pretty fun crew parties on massive ships like that.

So I took the offshore gig, I'm finishing up my Basic Survival Training course (how not to die if the helicopter crashes) and fly out Monday morning for a two week hitch. I don't think I'll have a set rotation but I can already tell that they want me to work a lot which kinda sucks because I usually travel in the winter. Maybe I'll buy an ATV or a snow mobile BRAP BRAP BRAAAAAAP!

Good shit man, we have one American flagged cruise ship that sails around Hawaii. What was your job on the cruise ship? How'd you like it? Wouldn't mind getting on one. Sailing around paradise while surrounded by hotties doesn't sound too bad. Pay is absolute shit compared to the commercial world, though. I go back and forth on it. Make shit money but party at the same time or make a fuck ton of money while hating my life and party hard on my time off.

Post: #37

(10-21-2016 05:21 PM)Jnx Wrote:  

(10-20-2016 03:35 AM)scotian Wrote:  I worked on a few ships last year on the west coast of Canada, one of them was a massive Norweigen cruise ship that had an interesting crew including some of the hottest Euro looking babes I've ever seen. I can imagine there's some pretty fun crew parties on massive ships like that.

So I took the offshore gig, I'm finishing up my Basic Survival Training course (how not to die if the helicopter crashes) and fly out Monday morning for a two week hitch. I don't think I'll have a set rotation but I can already tell that they want me to work a lot which kinda sucks because I usually travel in the winter. Maybe I'll buy an ATV or a snow mobile BRAP BRAP BRAAAAAAP!

Good shit man, we have one American flagged cruise ship that sails around Hawaii. What was your job on the cruise ship? How'd you like it? Wouldn't mind getting on one. Sailing around paradise while surrounded by hotties doesn't sound too bad. Pay is absolute shit compared to the commercial world, though. I go back and forth on it. Make shit money but party at the same time or make a fuck ton of money while hating my life and party hard on my time off.

Cruise ships were cool to work on back in the day, dancers, hairdressers, stewardess, passenger's daughters even. Crew pig party nights usually ended a mess. Some guy's used to stay on the ship for a couple of YEARS at a time, it was that good.


Going ashore was a laugh in the mid 80's too:







See what your missing not going ashore with the guys Jnx

Post: #38

(10-20-2016 07:54 PM)Vinny Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 02:51 AM)American Jesus Wrote:  Anyone have any more insight in how to pull off this lifestyle? I am American but currently live in Norway studying a Russian degree having taught myself Norwegian for the free education, but I'm starting to wonder if this is a dead-end career-wise and looking at alternatives.

My friend who has a Norwegian mother recently got an apprenticeship on a ship working 4 weeks on 4 weeks off but apparently you need to be a Norwegian citizen to get the apprenticeship..anyone got any ideas of how to break into a job where we can live this lifestyle? From what I understand it is basically possible to work half of your life and the other half travel freely with two months of pay dosposable income for each off period, sounds like a dream come true to a wanderer like me. Would really appreciate any ideas or feedback.

I have been living 4weeks on 4 weeks off lifestyle for more than 5 years now. Last year I have been single without any ties. This is a best way to travel and bang, as your flights get payed for, you get half year off and good wage. However I am tired and I am planning to take some time off.

The problem is oil price is low now. Market is in bad condition. Even people with experience are sitting at home without jobs. But it is a good time to start education, pick up necessary courses if you have money to invest.

Your best bet is offshore wind. Similar money, similar industry, but it is in much better condition economically as it is heavily subsidized in Europe.

They have just started building first ever offshore wind park off the coast of New York. So it might be worth looking into.

Thanks for this suggestion, just took another look at this thread because I am having the urge to escape this seemingly dead-end university degree plan that everyone else is blindly following also..

I hadn't thought about offshore wind before. I am trying to get some more information about this industry but there isn't much on google. Any idea what kind of education is needed to break into these industries? At the moment I don't have much in the way of technical skills or experience, but I'm adaptable.

It is just really hitting me that a bachelor degree in a subject like political science is by no means any guarantee of a future interesting career, just the beginning of a long quest to secure a place in the rat race, with no time to really enjoy the fruits of my labors in the form of travel..I think a rotational lifestyle may be the only way to really dedicate time while having the money to see the world in all its glory and adventuring.

Post: #39

(10-20-2016 07:54 PM)Vinny Wrote:  

(10-18-2016 02:51 AM)American Jesus Wrote:  Anyone have any more insight in how to pull off this lifestyle? I am American but currently live in Norway studying a Russian degree having taught myself Norwegian for the free education, but I'm starting to wonder if this is a dead-end career-wise and looking at alternatives.

My friend who has a Norwegian mother recently got an apprenticeship on a ship working 4 weeks on 4 weeks off but apparently you need to be a Norwegian citizen to get the apprenticeship..anyone got any ideas of how to break into a job where we can live this lifestyle? From what I understand it is basically possible to work half of your life and the other half travel freely with two months of pay dosposable income for each off period, sounds like a dream come true to a wanderer like me. Would really appreciate any ideas or feedback.

I have been living 4weeks on 4 weeks off lifestyle for more than 5 years now. Last year I have been single without any ties. This is a best way to travel and bang, as your flights get payed for, you get half year off and good wage. However I am tired and I am planning to take some time off.

The problem is oil price is low now. Market is in bad condition. Even people with experience are sitting at home without jobs. But it is a good time to start education, pick up necessary courses if you have money to invest.

Your best bet is offshore wind. Similar money, similar industry, but it is in much better condition economically as it is heavily subsidized in Europe.

They have just started building first ever offshore wind park off the coast of New York. So it might be worth looking into.

Vinny could you bust out some data on offshore wind?

This is all I know about wind:

Post: #40

In Canada we have several colleges and poly techs that offer a one year diploma in wind turbine tech that would lead to a career working on windmills, which I assume would include construction, maintenance and repair. It could be a really cool job and some people like working in green energy because it makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside. I don't know much about the pay or rotations, but wind energy is big and growing all over the world so there should be plenty of work.

Post: #41

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a 14/28 rotation as a surveyor for oil and gas in Norway? Would be a total dream

Post: #42

Do you have qualifications? Best way is to contact companies directly via email or linkedin imo.

Im a petroleum engineer and see all the shit in my feed on fb and linkedin. The oilfield is picking back up again.

Post: #43

how practical is it for an industrial automation engineer to gain employment in oilfield industry? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see quite a bit of overlap in skills (PLC, electrical assets). I also previously worked in the dairy industry as well, working with P&IDs. that 14/28 rotation sounds amazing

Post: #44

I'm on my phone so can't quote posts but don't get too excited over the 14/28 salaried rotations in Norway unless you're a skilled Norweigen. According to contacts I have, these dream jobs are reserved for locals while the international contractors work on day rates or hourly wages. All the same, if you get a chance to work in Norway, I say go for it. I worked for Statoil at thier Leismer plant in Alberta and it was by far thebest site I ever worked at, great camp, excellent food and good corporate culture which filters all the way down from the top to the bottom, very happy employees working for Statoil.

Post: #45

(02-28-2017 08:16 PM)bleaknight Wrote:  how practical is it for an industrial automation engineer to gain employment in oilfield industry? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see quite a bit of overlap in skills (PLC, electrical assets). I also previously worked in the dairy industry as well, working with P&IDs. that 14/28 rotation sounds amazing

Perfectly reasonable. Plenty of electronic components on rigs and such.

Post: #46

Industrial automation is huge, but I highly doubt you would get into the off/off rotation like field workers as you an engineer. You'd probably be put in a plant position with some plant walk arounds and office work, while being paid pretty well working from 9-5. Your position requires you to be on site running stuff, not being a contractor doing projects.

Post: #47

(03-01-2017 05:00 PM)scotian Wrote:  I worked for Statoil at thier Leismer plant in Alberta and it was by far thebest site I ever worked at, great camp, excellent food and good corporate culture which filters all the way down from the top to the bottom, very happy employees working for Statoil.

I'm on a Statoil platform right now. Got my own room, bathroom, shower, flatscreen with every movie channel, good gym, steak dinner twice a week, fastest offshore internet I've ever seen, and the people are super nice.

Statoil won't let us ride a hitch longer than 21 days on, though. If they'd let me, I'd do 3 months on, 3 off. Goddamn that would rock.

Post: #48

(04-04-2017 11:05 PM)BrewDog Wrote:  I'm on a Statoil platform right now. Got my own room, bathroom, shower, flatscreen with every movie channel, good gym, steak dinner twice a week, fastest offshore internet I've ever seen, and the people are super nice.

Statoil won't let us ride a hitch longer than 21 days on, though. If they'd let me, I'd do 3 months on, 3 off. Goddamn that would rock.

How did you get on with Statoil off shore? Did you start out tripping pipe on land based rigs and worked your way into it? If so, how long did that take?

Post: #49

(04-09-2017 01:29 AM)Laurifer Wrote:  How did you get on with Statoil off shore? Did you start out tripping pipe on land based rigs and worked your way into it? If so, how long did that take?

I don't work for Statoil. I'm a subcontractor to a contractor. There's no Statoil people even here. They just own the joint.

I'm semi-permanently assigned here for at least the next several months. I normally move around a lot. Drilling rigs, platforms, dive ships, derrick barges, etc. Some places rock, some are shitty. Dive ships are my least favorite. This spot is tied for my favorite so far. They pay me 98 hours a week to do very little work and the conditions are nice.

Post: #50

it's a lot of who you know and if you get early enough during the boom