Offshore Work

[longstebe]

I've been searching around on the internet trying to find any jobs on the oil rigs.

All of them want you to send money and in return they send you information packs out.

This sounds a bit dodgy to me.

So, I'm looking to my fellow expats for some help. Any good web sites or phone numbers would be welcome.

Maybe there is a few other guys interested, hence the reason fro placing this in 'general topics'.

[bdenner]

If you are looking for work in Thailand or Thai territorial waters you will need exceptional qualifications to get a job in the first place and maintain a work permit. I could see how hard it was getting back in 2003 after 3 years on the Benchamas field. Farang were being laid off then, in numbers, in favor of Thais so who knows what it's like now.

Your best bet is a fly-in fly-out position in the Middle East, another SE Asian country or even the west coast of Africa. Try the likes of Brunel (Singapore) or any other of the labor hire companies.

[briansym]

you'll need to get a survival course and under water helicoptor escape cert for off shore then the best thing is to decide what part off the industry you are suited to electrical ,mechanical or just general work on the decks.then you'll have to send your cv out to a few companies very hard to get a start if you,ve no experience but keep on trying. i,ve been off shore 22years its a long road bud!!

[tubber]

you'll need to get a survival course and under water helicoptor escape cert for off shore then the best thing is to decide what part off the industry you are suited to electrical ,mechanical or just general work on the decks.then you'll have to send your cv out to a few companies very hard to get a start if you,ve no experience but keep on trying. i,ve been off shore 22years its a long road bud!!

I thought about doing this a few years ago but after looking in to it decided against it. I have a marine engineering background but even so, as stated above, it is very hard to get into. I would also have had to start at the bottom which I was not going to do. If you have to pay for the courses yourself they are very expensive, I believe you can do the survival and HUET courses in Thailand but don't know if they are OPITO approved? Depends on your age too, some companies are still looking for trainees, I think Petrofac was one name, try googling them. There is a few agencies in the UK worth trying but without experience not too easy.

[Soutpeel]

If you are looking for work in Thailand or Thai territorial waters you will need exceptional qualifications to get a job in the first place and maintain a work permit. I could see how hard it was getting back in 2003 after 3 years on the Benchamas field. Farang were being laid off then, in numbers, in favor of Thais so who knows what it's like now.

And getting harder by the year for those of us still working in the Gulf of Thailand.

Last year the DMF starting laying down the law as regards expats working in the GOT, below a certain job grade/responsibility, you will not be issued with a work permit.

Personally think in the next two years dont think there will be any left or very few offshore, granted certain specialist positions will carry on for a bit longer ie Drilling/Well services/Construction, but Operations/Maintenance etc will not have any Farangs involved that is a definite

OP do you actually have any experience offshore ?...if you are looking for a "newbie" position...sorry to say you are not going to find one in SEA or even the middle East, As regards those companies which ask for money with your CV....they are a scam...dont waste your money.

Also dont bother with your HUET/Sea survival etc unless you have something lined up, it doesnt really help you as regards prospective employers looking at your CV. Agencies will tell you different simply becasue they want you to pay for it, so they dont have to should you get a job...

If from the US, you need to get experience in the gulf of Mexico or if from the UK, the North Sea before even trying to get a job internationally

Also another trick to geting offshore...contacts, contacts, contacts

[prefabs]

The problem at the monent is that the drilling industry is in a funny situation, bad for jackups and good for semis and drillships. Most of the rigs working offshore Asia are jackups. These rigs are having a hard time at the moment, market is pretty bad now for this type of rig. This narrows down your opportunites as there are hardly any floating units in SE Asia, nearest decent market for floaters is India. There are millions of Indians who want to get on rigs now. Companies try and keep their experienced staff from JUs by temporarily moving them to drillships or semis. So the drilling industry is pretty well goosed for new hires at the moment.

To be homest, I have worked internationally for 15 years now and even in good times it is unusual to find any guys coming in with no experience. Unless they have some kind of excellence, they are hard to find. Companies in countries worldwide have been able to find their own skilled workers, to an extent, and there is no real incentive to go for higher paid expats nowadays. Let's face it, expat salaries and flights are very expensive comparred to local hires.

This might not be what the OP wants to hear, but I would like someone to help him out more than I have been able to

[longstebe]

Well fingers crossed, I have not long spoke with some guy who works in Brunei. He said its a little quiet right

now but they will be looking to gear up soon. This contact is a friend of a friend. Resume sent to him, so

lets see. I've no experience offshore in fact the only thing I have had is the machining of the parts for deep

sea drilling. I also have a friend back home (UK) who has had some experience on the rigs. I'm waiting for

a message back off the guy so I can speak with him.

Any location would be fine. Also I don't have a problem starting at the bottom.

Ah well, I'll carry on pursuing this.

[Soutpeel]

Well fingers crossed, I have not long spoke with some guy who works in Brunei. He said its a little quiet right

now but they will be looking to gear up soon. This contact is a friend of a friend. Resume sent to him, so

lets see. I've no experience offshore in fact the only thing I have had is the machining of the parts for deep

sea drilling. I also have a friend back home (UK) who has had some experience on the rigs. I'm waiting for

a message back off the guy so I can speak with him.

Any location would be fine. Also I don't have a problem starting at the bottom.

Ah well, I'll carry on pursuing this.

Not trying to p*ss on your parade, but in all honesty from a guy who works in the game, think you basically have zero chance outside the North sea ( I assume you are from the UK) unless you know someone on a rig who can pull strings for you, even the in the North Sea every man and his dog have been lining up to get offshore ie supply exceeds demand for people who are prepared to start from the bottom.

Also considering the North Sea, they generally will not pay your flights back to another country, and if British they expect you to live in the UK, so thats counts out working there and living in Thailand.

I could walk into the north sea tomorrow, but they will not even entertain flying you backwards and forwards to Thailand and have turned down numerous jobs there purely because of that and the tax of course...LOL..

[geriatrickid]

One of the most dangerous jobs out there. Yes the pay can be lucrative,but with a high incidence of serious injury and mortality, the people that last a few years must have good reflexes, quick minds and common sense. Although the major oil companies and their workers don't screw around when it comes to safety, some of the subcontractors out there are not up to the same quality. Choose the employer carefully.

[head1]

reading your post. I would guess u dont live in thailand now and problery never have done.

First thing . Living in thailand is nothing like being here on Holiday. Chances are now you hate living in the UK. If you come to live in thailand in about 10 years you will hate living here more than living in the UK.

second thing. Alot of people want oil rig jobs anywhere around the world. The chance of getting one in S.E asia without have load on contacts and many many many .. mayn years of experance are about no chance.

If i was you i would give up on the oil rig job. Then you have to think do you really want to come and live in thailand. So many people come here on holiday and think it for them. 70 % of those who come to live here find out its not for them at all some find out painfully and losing money along the way.

I have lived here for about 5 years and make enough money. But i travel to other countrys in Asia to with my self employed work. I live here fine but that it only becuase i no its not great but its ok to live here 3 months out of 4 as long as i can get away from thailand for a month or so.

[greg67]

Try this webpage: www.rigzone.com A friend of mine got a job two years ago in Singapore with marine engineering degree and zero offshore experience.

[needforspeed]

First give some info about your background age, education and work experience so we know what kind off job you are looking for.

Dont pay for information, that are agents they just get money out off it, also medical and Bosiet (sea survival, underwater escape) no needed as companys organise that for you if been hired.

[needforspeed]

reading your post. I would guess u dont live in thailand now and problery never have done.

First thing . Living in thailand is nothing like being here on Holiday. Chances are now you hate living in the UK. If you come to live in thailand in about 10 years you will hate living here more than living in the UK.

second thing. Alot of people want oil rig jobs anywhere around the world. The chance of getting one in S.E asia without have load on contacts and many many many .. mayn years of experance are about no chance.

If i was you i would give up on the oil rig job. Then you have to think do you really want to come and live in thailand. So many people come here on holiday and think it for them. 70 % of those who come to live here find out its not for them at all some find out painfully and losing money along the way.

I have lived here for about 5 years and make enough money. But i travel to other countrys in Asia to with my self employed work. I live here fine but that it only becuase i no its not great but its ok to live here 3 months out of 4 as long as i can get away from thailand for a month or so.

Not agree, there are changes to get a job here as company's saving travel expenses if living in SE Asia, also salaris will be less for some jobs if living in SE Asia as some company's paying by country off living (If just started).

But agree with you, would be more easy if have some experience.

But OP need to inform us first about that.

[mca]

And getting harder by the year for those of us still working in the Gulf of Thailand.

Last year the DMF starting laying down the law as regards expats working in the GOT, below a certain job grade/responsibility, you will not be issued with a work permit.

Personally think in the next two years dont think there will be any left or very few offshore, granted certain specialist positions will carry on for a bit longer ie Drilling/Well services/Construction, but Operations/Maintenance etc will not have any Farangs involved that is a definite

My neighbour works for Chevron and says there's not a single expat on his platform now but good luck OP.

Edited January 22, 2010 by mca

[NanLaew]

Offshore work is serious decision and not a, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' sort of decision either.

Other things to consider are random drug and alcohol testing which has become more intensive. Note that is some jurisdictions testing positive for unprescribed prescription drugs will get you busted.

The industry is 'flat' right now so no chance of even getting on the bottom rung. Usually when there's a 'boom' is a good time but nobody is predicting one of them happening anytime soon.

I have been at it over 30 years now; work worldwide, 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off with business-class travel paid to/from Thailand... or anywhere else I fancy. It really, really sucks.

Edited January 22, 2010 by NanLaew

[needforspeed]

And getting harder by the year for those of us still working in the Gulf of Thailand.

Last year the DMF starting laying down the law as regards expats working in the GOT, below a certain job grade/responsibility, you will not be issued with a work permit.

Personally think in the next two years dont think there will be any left or very few offshore, granted certain specialist positions will carry on for a bit longer ie Drilling/Well services/Construction, but Operations/Maintenance etc will not have any Farangs involved that is a definite

My neighbour works for Chevron and says there's not a single expat on his platform now but good luck OP.

Still the most management/senior positions are expats, but every year less and less.

As locals are much cheaper(salaris/travel/accomodation).

[Valentine]

If you have experience tooling parts for deep water rigs then you should focus on the companies which service the rigs for that equipment. I seriously doubt you will get a job through an agency.

I have 20 years experience as a drilling fluids (mud) engineer, mostly offshore rigs, but have been out of it for a few years as I wanted to have more time at home & work on the family business. Recently I have been trying to get work but without success although 2 or 3 years ago during the boom times it would have been easy to get a job. Of the 20 years 15 were as a consultant & never any trouble getting work as the companies were always looking for experienced hands.

Too many consultants were slashed during the recession & are currently looking for work. That & the fact I have been out of it for a few years makes it all the harder for me personally to get a job but the same will be true for all disciplines.

BTW. If anyone has any contacts or know of any jobs related to mud engineering a post or direct PM to me will be much appreciated.

[needforspeed]

If you have experience tooling parts for deep water rigs then you should focus on the companies which service the rigs for that equipment. I seriously doubt you will get a job through an agency.

I have 20 years experience as a drilling fluids (mud) engineer, mostly offshore rigs, but have been out of it for a few years as I wanted to have more time at home & work on the family business. Recently I have been trying to get work but without success although 2 or 3 years ago during the boom times it would have been easy to get a job. Of the 20 years 15 were as a consultant & never any trouble getting work as the companies were always looking for experienced hands.

Too many consultants were slashed during the recession & are currently looking for work. That & the fact I have been out of it for a few years makes it all the harder for me personally to get a job but the same will be true for all disciplines.

BTW. If anyone has any contacts or know of any jobs related to mud engineering a post or direct PM to me will be much appreciated.

Yes thats correct but we dont no the OP's experience and education.

For as your job, i know myself that the last 2 year in your proffestion (BJ and Scomi) only using local people, if i was you try to contact them for jobs in Brasil and i heard that Iran is going to contract a lot off riggs the first quarter off 2010.

Will open my ears if i hear something will let you know.

[longstebe]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'm 34 from the UK and my background is in machining. Making parts for the likes of Halliburton, Schlumberger, Weatherford and Baker

Hughes. Like I say I'm not necessarily looking to work in SE Asia. The UK would be fine, anywhere really. Hopefully the couple of contacts I

have may help things along. If not, at least I've tried and understand a little more about it. I just want to try another direction in the

business thats all. If I end up back on the shop floor running CNC's, it's not a problem. Got to keep on trying and have some options to

follow.

Head 1- I do live here but totally understand what your saying.

[Fatdog]

you'll need to get a survival course and under water helicoptor escape cert for off shore then the best thing is to decide what part off the industry you are suited to electrical ,mechanical or just general work on the decks.then you'll have to send your cv out to a few companies very hard to get a start if you,ve no experience but keep on trying. i,ve been off shore 22years its a long road bud!!

I thought about doing this a few years ago but after looking in to it decided against it. I have a marine engineering background but even so, as stated above, it is very hard to get into. I would also have had to start at the bottom which I was not going to do. If you have to pay for the courses yourself they are very expensive, I believe you can do the survival and HUET courses in Thailand but don't know if they are OPITO approved? Depends on your age too, some companies are still looking for trainees, I think Petrofac was one name, try googling them. There is a few agencies in the UK worth trying but without experience not too easy.

I have just done my survival refresher at the place in Bangkok, and it is OPITO approved.

FD

[needforspeed]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'm 34 from the UK and my background is in machining. Making parts for the likes of Halliburton, Schlumberger, Weatherford and Baker

Hughes. Like I say I'm not necessarily looking to work in SE Asia. The UK would be fine, anywhere really. Hopefully the couple of contacts I

have may help things along. If not, at least I've tried and understand a little more about it. I just want to try another direction in the

business thats all. If I end up back on the shop floor running CNC's, it's not a problem. Got to keep on trying and have some options to

follow.

Head 1- I do live here but totally understand what your saying.

Maybe try a job as assistant mechanic, difficult to get something in SA Asia.

Under the offshore people some area's in Africa are not so popular to work, maybe there is a change there.

You know the drilling company's.

Her a few:

• Nabors Industries
  
• Transocean
  
• Diamond Offshore
  
• Rowan Companies
  
• Schlumberger
  
• Stena Drilling
  
• Tesco Drilling
  
• Transocean Sedco
  
• Prosafe ASA
  
• Abbot Group
  
• Acteon
  
• Akita Drilling
  
• Altinex
  
• Atwood Oceanics
  
• Baker Hughes
  
• China Oilfield Services
  
• Crosco Drilling
  
• Dolphin Drilling
  
• Egyptian Drilling Company
  
• Franklin Howard International
  
• Fred. Olsen Energy
  
• Geoservices
  
• Global Marine Drilling
  
• GlobalSantaFe
  
• IKM Subsea Design
  
• Japan Drilling Co
  
• KCA Deutag Drilling
  
• Maersk Contractors
  
• Metzke Engineering
  
• Noble Drilling
  
• Pajak Engineering
  
• Parker Drilling
  
• PetroMena
  
• Reamco
  
• Seadrill
  
• Smedvig
  
• Smith International
  
• ENSCO International
  
• BLAKE Offshore
  
• CDIS
  
• Coastal Drilling Company
  
• Crosco
  
• Extended Reach Drilling
  
• Frigstad Offshore
  
• Jindal Drilling & Industries
  
• KCA DEUTAG Drilling
  
• Marine Drilling Companies
  
• National Drilling Services
  
• Neptune Drilling
  
• Ocean Rig
  

Also as they post before have a look at Rigzone.com

[Spaniel]

Check out www.ratpack.com

[LennyW]

Check out the Jobs section of www.pressandjournal.co.uk

[Valentine]

Yes thats correct but we dont no the OP's experience and education.

For as your job, i know myself that the last 2 year in your proffestion (BJ and Scomi) only using local people, if i was you try to contact them for jobs in Brasil and i heard that Iran is going to contract a lot off riggs the first quarter off 2010.

Will open my ears if i hear something will let you know.

Thanks. I do have a contact at MI who covers Iran & last year he said there could be work coming up.

[Tonto21]

As already mention a lot in prevue replies you’ve going to have uphill battle to find work offshore anywhere at this present time, especially with no previous experience. However if it’s what you want to do, then go for it, but your going to need to prepare before you even go looking for work offshore.

To start you need, as mentioned before a basic offshore safety ticket. They come in two grades for want of a better word. Warm water and cold water. Best to get the cold water ticket as this covers you to work anywhere in the world. Most company now require you to hold as a minimum: Basic Offshore Safety Induction Emergency Training (BOSIET) it lasts for 4 years before a refresher is a required.

You also need an offshore medical, there are many, the most widely recognized is the “Oil and Gas UK” Medical Cert, lasts for 2 years. If you don’t hold a BOSIET and med cert, don’t waste your time looking, even if you find someone to employ you, they won’t wait for you to get your tickets!

With the limited info you have given about you skill set I don’t want to say you’ve no chance, but employment offshore does not look good at the present time. I’ve been in the inspection industry for 20 years, things are tight at the moment, I can normally work on/offshore in Asia, but I am having to rotate to Libya for work now.

Another way for you to get offshore work is to chance you job, basically improve your desirability to the employer, there are still lots of jobs world wide for the expats in offshore. Some skill sets will always be in demand, offshore, onshore, gas and oil and construction. One such requirement is for Rope Access technicians, must be part of the Industry Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) It’s a quick way in to the industry, a rope technician with no other skills in general is looking at around 300$ a day, 28 on 28 off when working offshore as a contractor. However, it’s hard work, very physical and if you don’t like heights! But believe it or not a very safe industry to work in. Best place to go for all of the above in Asia is Singapore, some names to look at on the net, K2 and SMTC Global. The very best of luck.

[dmax]

thanks for the pm steve, there is an agency in aberdeen called rigblast or rgbltd.com also raeburn in aberdeen. just google offshore recruitment agencies in scotland, i am also seeking work offshore here in uk, i will soon do the offshore survival course in aberdeen with nutek training.it costs around £1,200. for 5 day course . i am a time served welder, have worked in shipbuilding in belfast, norway, holland for 20 yrs and im also a scaffolder and hold a scaffolders card in tube and fitting, cuplok, and kwik stage scaffold systems.

i know its a long shot but im going to do this course and try my best to get work offshore, i think its the only way for me to go ,to earn decent money and get a few weeks off and on to enable me to get to thailand now and again, otherwise i,ll be stuck here in uk working my bolls off for pennys.

i would also appreciate some advice if there is anyone working in north sea.

cheers

dmax

Edited January 23, 2010 by dmax

[needforspeed]

As already mention a lot in prevue replies you've going to have uphill battle to find work offshore anywhere at this present time, especially with no previous experience. However if it's what you want to do, then go for it, but your going to need to prepare before you even go looking for work offshore.

To start you need, as mentioned before a basic offshore safety ticket. They come in two grades for want of a better word. Warm water and cold water. Best to get the cold water ticket as this covers you to work anywhere in the world. Most company now require you to hold as a minimum: Basic Offshore Safety Induction Emergency Training (BOSIET) it lasts for 4 years before a refresher is a required.

You also need an offshore medical, there are many, the most widely recognized is the "Oil and Gas UK" Medical Cert, lasts for 2 years. If you don't hold a BOSIET and med cert, don't waste your time looking, even if you find someone to employ you, they won't wait for you to get your tickets!

With the limited info you have given about you skill set I don't want to say you've no chance, but employment offshore does not look good at the present time. I've been in the inspection industry for 20 years, things are tight at the moment, I can normally work on/offshore in Asia, but I am having to rotate to Libya for work now.

Another way for you to get offshore work is to chance you job, basically improve your desirability to the employer, there are still lots of jobs world wide for the expats in offshore. Some skill sets will always be in demand, offshore, onshore, gas and oil and construction. One such requirement is for Rope Access technicians, must be part of the Industry Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) It's a quick way in to the industry, a rope technician with no other skills in general is looking at around 300$ a day, 28 on 28 off when working offshore as a contractor. However, it's hard work, very physical and if you don't like heights! But believe it or not a very safe industry to work in. Best place to go for all of the above in Asia is Singapore, some names to look at on the net, K2 and SMTC Global. The very best of luck.

Just a small correction BOSIET in Asia is only for 3 years.

[Soutpeel]

Just a small correction BOSIET in Asia is only for 3 years.

No its not.... its two years, It used to be 3 years many moons ago

[Maigo6]

thanks for the pm steve, there is an agency in aberdeen called rigblast or rgbltd.com also raeburn in aberdeen. just google offshore recruitment agencies in scotland, i am also seeking work offshore here in uk, i will soon do the offshore survival course in aberdeen with nutek training.it costs around £1,200. for 5 day course . i am a time served welder, have worked in shipbuilding in belfast, norway, holland for 20 yrs and im also a scaffolder and hold a scaffolders card in tube and fitting, cuplok, and kwik stage scaffold systems.

i know its a long shot but im going to do this course and try my best to get work offshore, i think its the only way for me to go ,to earn decent money and get a few weeks off and on to enable me to get to thailand now and again, otherwise i,ll be stuck here in uk working my bolls off for pennys.

i would also appreciate some advice if there is anyone working in north sea.

cheers

dmax

www.oiljobfinder.com

May I wish you the very best of luck DMax, you're taking all the right paths, I hope you find a great contract, they're out there !!!

Edited January 23, 2010 by Maigo6

[Maigo6]

double post

Edited January 23, 2010 by Maigo6