Post: #1

So there is a job fair for entry level Frac Operator Assistants for Halliburton in their Montgomery PA yard. The job event is this Wednesday and Thursday. If you go to the Halliburton Facebook page it will have the details https://www.facebook.com/events/640904182694487/

You have to fill out an App and get scheduled for an interview. I did all that and scheduled an interview. Its fairly easy.

Now my big question is what is the Frac Operator job like? Is it a heavy manual labor job? Is it a bitch job where you are basically carrying stuff around for other workers? Is it a burn out job?

They said they may require 60-100 hour weeks and the ability to lift up to 60 lbs, and be willing to work in harsh weather conditions.

Any tips would be helpful.

Post: #2

Basically you work outside. Rain, snow. I've worked here on construction the lowest temp at -10 and it wasn't so bad as long as you were moving.

I've been in ND for 2 months and can't find anything.

Post: #3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZj4RI7qV8

Post: #4

Peter; try Wyoming casing in North Dakota. Call them if you want the job.

Post: #5

So an update, I went to the Halliburton hiring event. There were about 20 people there and most did not have a CDL or even a permit. This was in Montgomery PA.

The pay starts at $13.50 per hour for a frac operator with a lot of hours 80 -100 per week. This includes hotel and a $32 per day per diem. So food and housing is covered while your out there.

Estimates I got were guys were making $70-80k when everything with overtime is added up. Not a bad deal.

The schedule is 14 on 7 off. I wonder how having 7 days in a row works out compared to working the Monday-Friday and having weekends. Most of the work is in the North East from West Virginia,Maryland,Ohio,PA, and New York. They bring you back to PA after each 2 week period. With 7 days maybe you can do a long vacation and have a lot of fun, or you might be too exhausted, not sure.

Not too bad since its only 3.5 hours to NYC and 3 hours to Philly . Better than being out in North Dakota, or Bumble Fuck areas of Texas.

There are other companies in PA hiring for the oilfield right now, so guys should def look into PA.

Post: #6

(12-06-2014 04:30 PM)pros80 Wrote:  So an update, I went to the Halliburton hiring event. There were about 20 people there and most did not have a CDL or even a permit. This was in Montgomery PA.

The pay starts at $13.50 per hour for a frac operator with a lot of hours 80 -100 per week. This includes hotel and a $32 per day per diem. So food and housing is covered while your out there.

Estimates I got were guys were making $70-80k when everything with overtime is added up. Not a bad deal.

The schedule is 14 on 7 off. I wonder how having 7 days in a row works out compared to working the Monday-Friday and having weekends. Most of the work is in the North East from West Virginia,Maryland,Ohio,PA, and New York. They bring you back to PA after each 2 week period. With 7 days maybe you can do a long vacation and have a lot of fun, or you might be too exhausted, not sure.

Not too bad since its only 3.5 hours to NYC and 3 hours to Philly . Better than being out in North Dakota, or Bumble Fuck areas of Texas.

There are other companies in PA hiring for the oilfield right now, so guys should def look into PA.

I know that the cost of living is lower state side but for fuck's sake $13.50 and $32 per diem, you guys aren't getting paid much down there, its definitely better than nothing and there should be lots of room for advancement so I say go for it, but do whatever you can to reach a higher level of pay, get certs and as much work experience as you can.

As for the 14/7 lifestyle, it really isn't bad and fortunately as you mention, the work location isn't far from some decent east coast urban centres. If you finished your hitch and are able to drive back home after in a few hours then you can enjoy an entire week off before you go back, which is a lot better than commuting by airplane which a lot of my friends do in Canada, that makes for a long day. Basically if you're working your ass off for 14 days straight, once you are off, it takes about 2-3 days to readjust and slow down, you'll still be waking up at 5am for example. You will also have to readjust to "normal society" as you won't be surrounded by rough men all day, you'll likely be around women and children so you can't curse and swear as much as you do at work. I know it sounds kind of weird but its something that all of us oil patch guys who work out of town go through. Of course, don't blow all of your money like a lot of the guys do, the patch is slowing down now as I'm sure you're well aware and the future is uncertain, but that's just the way it goes when your career is based on commodity prices which fluctuate. Good luck.

Post: #7

Pros I tried to send a pm but you have them disabled?

Post: #8

Pros I can't reply to your pm. I did not even know one could disable them like that

Post: #9

As a beginner (Frac Equipment Operator Trainee) you will be doing the following

- Rig up and rig down ! Basically you connect & disconnect pipes and fixtures to the pumps. You'll definitely be swinging a hammer and at times carrying 2000 pound dog-legs.

- Operate the Sand Chief. A Sand chief is the machine which throws sand into the hopper which mixes the sand with the "water" ( in reality water, biocide and diesel fuel + other nasty shit).

A Frac site will usually have 1-3 sand chiefs. To differentiate them for order purposes they'll be named Tanks Chief, Pumps Chief and Middle Chief. The Tanks chief is closer to the water tanks and the pumps chief closer to the Pump Trucks. (Stupid I know)You will get a sand order from either the company man or lead operator.Each sand chief has 4 compartments. 1,2,3 and 4. Each compartment has 2-3 tanks each.

For example, if your order is T4,2,1 and P3 you will push sand from the 4th compartment of the Tanks chief, then second then first.
Once you are done you'll be told to "sweep" and move to the Pumps Chief and push sand from the 3rd compartment.

While you are doing this its important not to overfill the hopper or let it run too empty. If you do run it empty, you will mess up the Slickwater ratios and damage the formation costing the company millions.

- You will change oil on the pump trucks.

- Treat Tanks. This might be the most dangerous part of the job not directly related to pressure. You will be required to pour two 1 gallon Biocide bottles into the tanks. That shit is straight up liquid ebola. It kills any living organism that might be present in the water and guess what happens if you get it on you.

Make sure that you always have your PPE on and try to out Alpha the other guys because they usually assign this to the less assertive guys on the crew.

I'm on my phone right now at work but let me know if you have any questions.