Does anyone here work offshore? Considering doing it and just wondering what it's like. Have a friend that works as an ET offshore and says he makes around 175k a year. Of course he started out as a Roustabout and said I would have to as well even with a background in electronics and an associates degree in it.
-
-
Depends on the company and what job and so forth but its hard work and long hours/time away from family. Good if you're young and single but otherwise rough. Great money for someone with no other responsibilities back home. You definitely start at the bottom but easy to work up if you bust your ass.Comment -
Thanks for the info. I have heard you can work yourself into a great paying job if you bust ass and stick with it. Just wondering if 31 almost 32 is to old to begin something like this.Comment -
As long as you're in good shape and have a strong back you're good. I know guys 37 and 40 that outwork 19 year olds out there so its really on a case by case basis...same for the pay scales and upward mobility. You mentioned the background, long as you impress the right people you won't spend long at the lower levels, more of an initiation and then they slot you up pretty fast. Good luck with it.
Where are you located? I ask because offshore isn't the only game in town...onshore crews are picking up as of late. Not just in Dakota but Colorado, Texas, Mississippi and all over the regions.Comment -
Seriously, check North Dakota first. Those guys are making a mint up by the oil fields. They need blue collar guys up there badly still.Comment -
Only issue with Williston is shelter and travel...if you're lucky enough to be one of the guys who has already worked in the industry elsewhere then you'll hook up your travel camper and roll into Williston and still even with that investment for the camper you have to shell out 1,300+ a month just to park it...still have to add in food and other necessities and not only are you pressed for time 12-4 hr shifts and then travel to and from...prices are ridiculous so you're not netting as much monthly as you would going elsewhere. Plus the N Dakota crews don't stay long together so its hard for a guy who wants to do it more than a year and advance to a stable slot to make it out there. If you wanna take a year and go pocket money but be stuck there in a camper and far from anything else...its great..but otherwise I'd advise to hookup with a company and do hitches in Colorado or on the gulf coast and do 14x14 and have an apartment and lower living prices and more free time and stability. Williston gets a lot of hype, and for what its doing nationwide is amazing but local crews working it...miserable.Comment -
I am from Mississippi. The guy I know who is an ET for Transocean is based out of Houma and he mentioned that PA is where a lot of offshore work is going on as well. I haven't ever considered onshore work, just always knew that offshore was where the money might be.
As for ND, I wonder what its like there. The only place I know to begin looking is at rigzone the site my buddy told me about. He works 21 on and 21 off. Hopefully, I can find something with that same setup. His brother also works offshore in Brazil and I can say I am open to working just about anywhere if I can move up and eventually make what he does.Comment -
Also, the living conditions while working in ND don't seem favorable compared to offshore. I read lots of people there are sleeping in cars and etc. At least offshore you get room and meals. Any other information you can provide about the ND oil work?Comment -
I've only been to Williston twice and it was in winter so yes it was brutal weather and crowded as hell. They've built it up alot since but still a ways to go. If you're in Ms look into Ensco, Diamond and H&P...H&P is a great company to work for and have some great guys on the rigs on and offshore. Another plus is you're close to home between hitches...usually head out on tuesdays to work and back a couple wednesdays later and unload and enjoy time off then back at it.Comment -
Sounds like you've done some real due diligence here, which is great. I've known a few people that have done hitches in Colorado and Wyoming, and there were mixed reviews. The main one was how meth was such a big problem amongst the workers out there, and how it affected life for those who chose not to. That's all I know as far as that area goes.Comment -
Itchy, is it safe to assume that you currently work in the oil and gas industry now?Comment