Drastic Career Moves (Specifically Into the Oilfield)

[onemeangixxer7502]

You realize that's not the only job in the oilfield lol, I know lots of people who work out here and have never stepped foot on a drilling rig. We don't even get to the locations till the rig is long gone.

Honestly I just don't want to work 14+ hrs a day. I know there are tons of jobs for oil companies but I damned sure wouldn't be working on a rig

[Broncojohnny]

Honestly I just don't want to work 14+ hrs a day. I know there are tons of jobs for oil companies but I damned sure wouldn't be working on a rig

That's a hard way to pull six figures!

[Texican]

So what's with oil/gas paying out so much overtime, why don't they just hire more people? Can't find competent employees or what? I've never understood that part, seems like they're paying out more money than they need to.

[SMKR]

So what's with oil/gas paying out so much overtime, why don't they just hire more people? Can't find competent employees or what? I've never understood that part, seems like they're paying out more money than they need to.

12 hour shifts plus travel to and from daily, 16-17 hours a day easy. Ton of work right now, they can't hire people fast enough.

[Andy@PrimeTuning]

Has there ever been a downturn? I'm fairly new to the area, so I've only seen the recent boom. Is there a time (oversupply) when all these drilling operations scale back? Then there are a couple thousand O&G people looking for regular work again?

Just wondering

[goofygrin]

Has there ever been a downturn? I'm fairly new to the area, so I've only seen the recent boom. Is there a time (oversupply) when all these drilling operations scale back? Then there are a couple thousand O&G people looking for regular work again?

Just wondering

See... 1980's. The O&G is a boom and bust business. Entire towns disappear almost overnight.

If you take one of these jobs, be prepared to follow the fields (N. Dakota, Pennsylvania, Alaska, UAE, Saudi, etc.) or be prepared to get another job at some point. Save up most of your money in anticipation of the next bust. Be prepared to have some health issues (if you roughneck).

My father in law has worked for Halliburton for a LONG time. Missing flesh and hearing is quite common among his peers.

[GrayStangGT]

Has there ever been a downturn? I'm fairly new to the area, so I've only seen the recent boom. Is there a time (oversupply) when all these drilling operations scale back? Then there are a couple thousand O&G people looking for regular work again?

Just wondering

The mid 90's weren't that great. Had a mini down turn in 08, but it recovered pretty quick, lots of landmen got laid off around here. I also knew several company men, DD's and MWD's that had little or no work to do for the better part of 08 and into 09. I know our business dropped off sharply at the end of 08 and didn't pick back up until mid 09.

[downshift_me]

I went from a dealership mechanic to a floorhand on a drilling rig. I liked it but got a job offer as a mechanic that promised the same pay as I was getting on the rig. That didn't happen and I am trying to get back on my old rig as we speak.

What kind of company are you trying to get into and what kind of work? Nabors is probably the best and safest company out there but also the lowest paying as well. You can probably make $10 an hour more at H&P, Patterson, Big Dog, etc but the risk of getting injured is increased as well because they will hire a warm body. Long hours and long days but it's nice to be away from all the bullshit at home for a change and make a minimum of 2 grand a week.

What is Nabors paying now-a-days? I thought they kept pretty in line with Patterson? Although, Patterson is beginning to become one of the lower paid. Patterson is hiring like crazy, but they are hiring idiots and it sure isn't what it used to be.

[onemeangixxer7502]

That's a hard way to pull six figures!

if you say so. Its interesting to read about drilling though

[Hmbre97]

choo choo$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[slostang281]

wife works for Nabors

What kind of work does she do?

What is Nabors paying now-a-days? I thought they kept pretty in line with Patterson? Although, Patterson is beginning to become one of the lower paid. Patterson is hiring like crazy, but they are hiring idiots and it sure isn't what it used to be.

I was making $20.25 as a floorhand when I quit Nabors in June last year but was hearing Patterson was paying $26-28 while H&P was around $30. I can't speak for any other company but Nabors was paying $25 or $35 a day per diem, provided all safety equipment including coveralls; just had to provide boots and that was it. They paid for prescription safety glasses every year if it was needed. It may not be the best paying rig job but everyone I talked to who has or still works for them will not go anywhere else. Everyone is hiring hands off the street just so they have a full crew, Nabors is strict on who they hire and there is a four day safety training for all new hires and have training for all employees every two years or so. Not to be a Nabors nut swinger, but they seem to take care of their employees a lot better than the rest.

[emg]

I went from a dealership mechanic to a floorhand on a drilling rig. I liked it but got a job offer as a mechanic that promised the same pay as I was getting on the rig. That didn't happen and I am trying to get back on my old rig as we speak.

What kind of company are you trying to get into and what kind of work? Nabors is probably the best and safest company out there but also the lowest paying as well. You can probably make $10 an hour more at H&P, Patterson, Big Dog, etc but the risk of getting injured is increased as well because they will hire a warm body. Long hours and long days but it's nice to be away from all the bullshit at home for a change and make a minimum of 2 grand a week.

how are you making 2 grand a week at $10 an hour?

[Gtracer]

how are you making 2 grand a week at $10 an hour?

I believe he was stating that the position paid $10 MORE per hour. Not that $10 was the base rate

[emg]

I believe he was stating that the position paid $10 MORE per hour. Not that $10 was the base rate

oh ok, thanks.

[SMKR]

Has there ever been a downturn? I'm fairly new to the area, so I've only seen the recent boom. Is there a time (oversupply) when all these drilling operations scale back? Then there are a couple thousand O&G people looking for regular work again?

Just wondering

Yep it goes up then it goes down