I used to work offshore oil rigs - ama

[offshoreoily]

Bit bored tonight so thought I’d post an ama! Worked in the oil industry over 25 years. 10 of those on offshore oil rigs and platforms in various locations worldwide

How long do you have to spend on the oil rig? Is it dangerous? Do you ever have to go underwater as well?

How much did you get paid?

How exciting!

Which area had the roughest seas?

Do the oil rigs stay still in rough seas or do they sway around?

Do men and women work together?

Is the food good?

What were the living conditions like?

Sorry, lots of questions which are just the tip of the iceberg 😂

How many people work on them at any one time?
How big are the rigs?
Do the staff work on rotation?
Does it feel very isolated stuck on a rig with nothing but sea all around?

Generally I would be out there for a week or so at a time, but longest stint was 40 days.
it can be dangerous yes, but safety is one of the biggest running themes and training and awareness are constantly at the top of the agenda.
The only time I went underwater was on the helicopter training sessions, where they simulate a helicopter crashing into the water and you have to escape out of the fake helicopter through the windows which they have submerged upside down!

Is the work heavy and/or hard on the body?

It varies but in average maybe £150k a year?

The coast off Ireland was probably my most toughest experience, but to be honest weather changes everywhere can come out of nowhere and be vomit inducing!
the rigs change based on the water depth, some are anchored to the sea bed, some sway around and are anchored in position, in the deepest waters the rigs use propellers to keep themselves in position.
yes men and women work together, but generally offshore it’s a male dominated environment. I would say 90% or the time I would be the only woman on the rig.
food and living conditions vary considerably, I’ve been on some rigs with full time pastry chefs, but also other rigs where I’ve not showered or had a proper bed for 3 weeks!

What proportion of people on the rig are women?

Is there a type of person that would work on an oil rig?

It is a young person's game or something people do to earn lots of money in a short period of time and then give it up to do something else?

I note you worked for 10 years on rigs. Is that unusual, also for a woman?

The rigs and platforms vary in size and staffing enormously. I would say on average an active drilling rig has approximately 160-180 people on board at any one time?
generally the rig crew work on rotation either 2 weeks on 2 off, or 4 on 4 off. But then certain staff come on and off as per requirements of their job…so many a few days to a few weeks…
it can feel isolated but generally I was always in awe is the beauty of a silent sunrise in a calm sea, or 400 pod of dolphins swimming by, and also just the interest of the job!

I would say for offshore probably less than 5% women?
im not sure there’s a particular type, if you met me I don’t think you’d expect it! Even now, office based, people are often surprised at my background.
the people are hugely variable, from 60 year old Texan men who woudlnt dream of any other life to young ambitious gung ho types hoping to get rich quick. There is money to be made but at a huge sacrifice to lifestyle.
I would say yes, lasting 10 years, especially for a woman is pretty unusual. Obviously the lifestyle is not conducive to raising a family and that’s generally what causes women to leave the role

How did you get into this line of work? What qualifications did you need?

I had a geology bachelors

Ultimately there’s always machinery and equipment to do the heavy lifting. But yes, it’s a pretty active role, the hours are probably the hardest toll. Sometimes I would work 48 hours in a stretch

What do you have to work such a long stretch without a break?

What happens when there is a storm? Do you go somewhere to take shelter. Presume it is not like on a boat where you bail water out of the rig, lol.

Thank you! Very interesting. 48 hour shifts, wow!

My father worked on a cargo ship when I grew up, there might be some similarities to working on an oil rig. He was away and worked for 8 weeks, then he was at home for 8 weeks, and so on.

Are you male?

Sometimes we might end up in a well control situation, essentially the well being drilled is on a knife edge balance of being under control. Loss of control would lead to oil/gas uncontrolled at surface which can have devastating effects - like the BP Macondo disaster several years back in America. In these situations, things are changing and being monitored minute by minute and there is just simply no chance to leave your role.
if there’s a storm you just hold on tight and grab a sock bucket if you need it!

No female, 46 years old

What’s your view on peak oil? Have we passed peak oil?

What was the pay like and what did you think of the BP disaster deep water horizon and if you actually worked on it?

Do people fall overboard by accident or deliberately (suicide)?

What happens if there is conflict between rig employees, especially since you are in a relatively enclosed space, cabin fever?

What about sexual assault?

What is the most amazing example of sea life you have seen?

Do you form close friendships with your fellow riggers or is it just work?

Are affairs rife on rigs? Is what goes on rigs stays on rigs?

Wow - sign me up!!

I think since peak oil theory was first proposed, its already been disproved in that sense. I think it’s hard to predict peak oil when it’s based on so many varying factors.
Technology and extraction has changed immensely since the theory was first put out there. Ultimately recoverable oil comes down to financial decisions, so what may have previously been seen as unprofitable reserves may now be looked on as economically favourable.
then there’s the changing landscape of acceptable environmental friendly energy provision. I think we will be relying on oil for a long time to come