Work on oil platforms

Created by Antonio León on July 10, 2012

 installer courses
 oil deposits
 Engineering
 oil platform
 oil platforms

Do you know
what an oil platform is? In this post we are going to inform you about them as well as the
employment opportunities that are currently available, unknown to many:

Oil platforms are a kind of small floating cities, with a number of people ranging from 150
to 400. They employ professionals from different fields: welders, electricians, painters,
waiters, laundresses, cooks, computer scientists, engineers, divers, labourers, etc.

This sector is not sufficiently known, and we also find fluctuations in the number of
workers in their positions. For these reasons, there is a greater demand for professionals on
oil platforms.

On this occasion, we mention the Oil Tank Installer as an essential professional who can
carry out his work in both oil plants and refineries and pipelines, installing oil systems.

What are the working conditions?

Generally, the work consists of 8 hours, resting for 16 hours, alternating 45 working days
on the platform and 15 days of rest (depending on the companies).

Contract periods range from 2 to 5 years, with an initial period of 6 months.

As for salaries, it should be noted that they are very high. From €5,000 to €15,000 per
month for professional welders with diving knowledge.

What requirements are necessary to work on oil platforms?

To work on oil platforms it is not necessary to have an authorized license, but it is essential
to have passed a course to apply the knowledge acquired in it. Likewise, it will be
necessary to be of legal age, be in good physical condition, have psychophysical aptitudes
and one year of work experience.

What do you need to study to work on an

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Life on an oil rig can be demanding.

Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
Working on an oil rig is usually very well paid, even if you have the lowest salary level on
the rig. One of the main reasons for the relatively high wages for offshore workers is the
higher risk factor involved and the fact that workers need to live on the platform for several
weeks. Educational requirements depend entirely on the specific job, as in any other
industry. Oil rigs employ many skilled engineering workers as well as controllers, cleaners,
cooks and other manual workers.

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Entry Level Jobs

For the most part, entry-level jobs do not require extensive education, as long as you have
completed compulsory schooling. As with any type of oil rig job, entry-level positions
require good health and fitness and the ability to commit to a long-term contract and work
hard over time.

Specialized jobs

Many more advanced jobs exist for oil rig specialists. With a large number of machines on
board any platform, a team of engineers must constantly maintain the platform. These jobs
generally require a higher level of education and a diploma in one of the engineering
disciplines. A large number of employees on an oil drilling rig are engineers, also known as
"mud engineers."

Experience

Much more important than qualifications in most cases is experience. Common oil drilling
jobs include laborers and other manual workers, so a good knowledge of mechanics will be
very useful. If you have worked in construction or other physically demanding jobs,
especially those involving mechanics and engineering, you will have a higher chance of
landing a job on an oil rig, regardless of your actual educational credentials.

Other considerations

As with any other type of job, further education in the field you are applying for can only
be beneficial. Depending on your country, you may need to take a short course beforehand
that will provide you with a corresponding safety certificate. You must also pass several
physical exams and must be at least 18 years old.
How much do oil rig jobs pay?
Written by Marlene Affeld | Translated by Mariana Groning

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Drilling rig workers may work on new wells or maintain old ones.

oil well image by michael langley from Fotolia.com

Oil workers are demanding the highest wages because theirs is one of the most dangerous
jobs. There are many employment opportunities for oilfield jobs including working on a
drilling rig or for a support services company that maintains or installs drilling equipment
and pumping facilities. Workers may work under adverse weather conditions both on land
and at sea. Oil rig workers can work on shore in the United States or live and work on rigs
in various locations around the world. Compensation varies depending on the need for
workers and the location of the drilling operation.

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oil well image by michael langley from Fotolia.com

A "laborer" is the term applied to a general oilfield maintenance worker. Their duties
involve heavy lifting and oilfield supplies. A laborer maintains the drilling site, assembles
oilfield equipment, moves pipes, parts, and paints the drilling rig. Since the equipment is
exposed to constant attack from the elements, it is continually sanded and repainted. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in September 2009 the average wage for
a laborer was $16.44 per hour or an annual salary of $34,190. Offshore oil rig workers earn
considerably more, varying by company and location. The average salary for an overseas
laborer is US$24.70 or an annual salary of US$51,400. Benefits at sea also include housing,
meals and incentives. Rigworker, a source of employment for oilfield workers, reports that
in 2010 offshore maintenance workers received an average annual salary of $47,000.
Workers who worked on the offshore drilling floor earned an average salary of US$54,000.
Wage discrepancies are due to demand. There are many active "hot spots" within the
industry, including the Williston Basin in North Dakota.

Petroleum engineers

The BLS reports that in September 2009, the New Iberia non-metropolitan area of
Louisiana had the highest concentration of all types of petroleum industry workers.
Petroleum engineers who calculate and design the various procedures necessary to drill and
produce an oil well had an average annual salary of US$84,960. Petroleum engineers in
Texas earned a median annual salary of $116,210 as of September 2009.

Welders

Welders on the oil rig are responsible for safely attaching wellhead and pumping equipment
to the oilfield casing. They work in locations that may have highly volatile and combustible
gases present. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that in September 2009, Louisiana
oilfield welders earned a median annual wage of $37,330.

Overseas Crane Operators

Experienced crane operators working the giant cranes on offshore drilling platforms are in
high demand. Rigworker reported job opportunities paying $69,500 per year as of 2010.
Crane operators are responsible for safely transporting drilling pipes and supplies from
ships to the platform. They also supervise assistant crane operators and laborers who assist
with crane operator duties.
Types of work performed on an oil rig
Written by Chad Stetson | Translated by Natalia Perez

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A variety of opportunities can be found on an oil rig.

Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Oil rigs are drilling structures erected to dig deep into the earth's crust to find oil. These
platforms are able to operate thanks to the hard work and dedication of the men and women
on board. While it may seem like working there consists only of maintaining pipes, drilling
holes and operating mechanical systems, there is actually quite a bit of variety on these
giant platforms.

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Welding

An oil rig without welders would collapse immediately. Semi-submersible drilling units
would rot away on the ocean surface if there were no welders monitoring vital points of the
structures while repairing any problems that might arise. There are two types of welders:
platform welders and contract welders. Rig workers are hired to stay on the platform and
make repairs, while contract companies hire welders when there is a large amount of work
to be done within a short period of time. When these situations arise, contract welders
arrive, perform their tasks and move on to the next platform that hires them.

Doctors

Doctors have a very important mission on board a platform, to ensure that employees are
physically capable of performing their tasks. Doctors can determine this through routine
exams and evaluations that are performed approximately every six months. They are also
responsible for maintaining the infirmary and ensuring that medical supplies are kept at
adequate levels.

Laborer

Day laborers are general workers. The job requirements of a journeyman include assisting
personnel on the rig floor should they require assistance, keeping the rig deck and main
deck clean, guiding the crane as new materials are brought in, and performing general
maintenance on the rig. Day laborers are also able to release team members from their
duties for a period of time. For example, if a worker misses his lunch break, a day laborer
can simply take his place, giving him time to eat. This cycle continues until all members of
the drilling deck crew can continue their work.

Petroleum Engineer

One of the few jobs on the platform that requires formal education. The minimum
requirements for a position as a petroleum engineer include a bachelor's degree in
chemistry and previous work experience on platforms. Petroleum engineers have, arguably,
the most important job on the rig because they are needed to monitor the level of toxic
gases inside the well that could cause an explosion. Other responsibilities include collecting
samples during drilling and keeping records of fluids used. Each platform requires two
petroleum engineers to ensure it is operating safely at all times.

Information about working in offshore

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Oil rigs offer a variety of jobs ranging from medical positions to construction jobs.

Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

Working on an offshore drilling rig can mean long hours and hard work, but it also offers
some of the highest average wages and greatest benefits in heavy industry. This industry
offers abundant opportunities for advancement as well. The best way to find a job on an oil
rig is through employment agencies that specialize in recruiting for the industry.

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Entry Level Jobs

Drilling companies hire beginners for some administrative and safety positions. The
materials staff maintains inventory of a team of tools, equipment, and soaps. They also
verify cargo deliveries. Radio operators coordinate helicopter flights and lifeboat
deployments and maintain communication between the platform crew. Rig workers keep
drilling decks clean and guide cranes as they move equipment around the rig. Entry-level
jobs require basic computer skills. They pay between US$40,000 and US$60,000 a year at
the time of publication.

Hard jobs

Roughnecks work on drilling rigs, where they set up and take down platforms, move
drilling equipment during drilling, replace pipe and bits, and transport equipment.
Roughnecks work long hours in all types of weather. A roughneck position can be difficult
to obtain, as most drilling companies prefer workers with previous oil rig experience. Pay
starts at around $55,000 a year at the time of publication.

Security jobs

Oil rigs employ personnel responsible for preventing accidents and treating injured
workers. The instrument technician maintains alarm panels and measurement indicators in
proper working order. The agitator controller controls mud cleaners and agitators, which
screen drilling chips from drilling fluids to prevent leakage. Ballast controllers ensure that
the rig is stable before drilling begins. Drilling safety personnel and training coordinators
keep personnel aware of offshore safety laws and company safety policies. Drill doctors
perform physical examinations, supervise dispensaries, monitor medical supplies and first
aid. Workers in security jobs earn between $55,000 and $80,000 a year at the time of
publication.

Jobs for engineers

Most oil drilling engineering jobs require significant experience and education. A mud
engineer, who oversees the rig's drilling fluids, must have a degree in chemistry. A
submarine engineer maintains the platform's explosion prevention and motion
compensation system. Subsea engineers must have extensive training in emergency repair
procedures and equipment, as well as training in pneumatics and hydraulics. An assistant
underwater engineer is often promoted from the ranks of roughnecks, but still has general
mechanical knowledge. The annual salary for engineering jobs starts at around $45,000 and
goes up to $75,000 at the time of publication.

Construction work

Oil rigs need workers with experience in a variety of construction areas. Scaffolders design,
construct and remove a team's scaffolding and platforms. Scaffolders often work as
independent contractors, moving from platform to platform to build new projects and
expansions. Welders are also independent contractors who travel regularly. They do daily
platform repairs and build new metalwork. Painters keep drilling surfaces in good
condition. Pay in the oil rig construction industry ranges from $45,000 to $65,000 a year at
the time of publication.

How to apply for a job on an oil rig

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Jobs of this type are found on offshore oil platforms.

Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images

Jobs of this type are found on offshore oil platforms. There is a wide variety, but they can
be divided into the following categories: management and operations, engineering and
scientific, drilling equipment, drilling equipment, restoration, maintenance, and
transportation. Depending on the development phase, not all categories are present all the
time. Specifically, the drilling team includes geologists, drillers, laborers, operators, data
logging engineers, company men and helpers. The drilling crew includes supervisors, pump
operators and pipe operators. Catering includes cooking and cleaning for all personnel on
board the rig, while transportation includes everything from helicopter pilots to ferry
personnel between land and the oil rig.

Difficulty level:

Easy

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Instructions

Job Search

1. 1

Seek information from reputable sources about the wide variety of jobs available in
oil rig exploration and look at the descriptions and locations of the jobs that interest
 you. Look for resources that offer free job listings and opportunity descriptions. Be
wary of sites that charge a fee to find job opportunities. Educational institutions and
professional organizations, such as the American Association of Petroleum
Geologists and the American Institute of Professional Geologists, often have listings
of industry employment opportunities as well as information on employment
resources. Most fossil fuel exploration and production companies will also be good
sources for finding information about these types of jobs.

2. 2

Determine what qualifications are necessary for the jobs you are interested in.
Entry-level positions are available, but some jobs require experience in drilling
operations or mechanical or trade skills, while others may require a more formal
academic education, such as engineering or geology. For example, some petroleum
geologist and geoscientist positions may require, or prefer, an advanced degree
(such as a master's or doctorate) in the field, with a specialty in petroleum geology.

3. 3

Decide which job is the right path to follow, taking into account that there will be a
lot of travel and time away from home, as well as long and unusual hours in all
kinds of climates and weather conditions. The pay and benefits, on the other hand,
are generally excellent. For example, a driller with less than one year of experience
is estimated to have earned an average of $9.78 to $18.88 per hour in 2009, while a
petroleum geologist with less than one year of experience earned an average salary
of $65,000 to $92,000.

Job Application

1. 1

Look for specific instructions for applying for various jobs you find in your search
that you are qualified for, that seem interesting to you, and that you would be
excited about and would like to pursue.

2. 2

Apply online or by mail, depending on each prospective employer's preferred

3. 3

Call your potential employer if there are any specific questions about a particular
position that were not clearly answered in the initial job proposal.
Safety training courses for offshore oil
platforms
Written by Marquis Codjia | Translated by Paula Ximena Cassiraga

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Safety procedures on offshore oil platforms demand geological acumen.

oil rig at sunset image by Alan James from Fotolia.com

Offshore oil rig safety specialists enroll in a training seminar to gain practical experience in
the fields of rig operation and oil well drilling. Apprentices also learn about state and
federal regulations governing petroleum-related operations.

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Academic requirements

A bachelor's or associate's degree in occupational health or public safety is the standard

According to the BLS, a new oil rig safety specialist receives on-the-job training. Most
employees require less than a year of training from experienced professionals, says O*Net
OnLine. Offshore oil rig safety specialists learn how to introduce procedures to make
drilling work more effective, examine mud pump operations, and provide technical
guidance to drilling supervisors and workers.

Tools

According to O*Net OnLine, an offshore oil rig safety training program instructs trainees
how to use the tools of the trade. These include extraction pipes, regulating valves, levelers,
turntables and brake pedals.

Work on oil platforms

We are not going to deny that this sector is the most complex of the three we have
dealt with. However, the lack of specialized personnel in this field ensures a
permanent and fairly well-paid job. The earnings from this type of work are
considerably higher than from any job on land. In addition, accommodation, food and
transportation costs are covered by the company, making the experience an important
source of income.

Life and work in these facilities are hard. Extreme isolation on the open sea and extreme
heat and cold conditions are a consideration when accepting such a job.

Work shifts vary depending on the company. From 21 days of rest for every 14 days
worked to a rest period similar to the time worked; there are also companies where you
don't rest until the work is finished.

The working day is one of the longest, with an average of 80 to 100 hours per week. For its
part, the free time available is one of its main attractions, with a large amount of it available
for personal activities or performing another job.

It is therefore a very hard but well-paid job, with a lot of free time and offering the
possibility of travelling to distant and unknown places and meeting people from all over the
world.