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Offshore Oil Rig Jobs and Employment, Norway

Someone without proper training, but considering to enter oil rig industry needs first to see, if they have got qualities that are required for oil drilling still before applying for offshore positions. The point is that for such candidates the only suitable entry level positions may usually be roustabout (plain laborer) as a member of the drilling crew, or such as galleyhand (kitchen helper) or a dishwasher in catering. If applicant is someone with very little or not at all previous experience, they need to understand that you'll have to start working at an entry level and hence work up. The smartest way to increase your chances of becoming a successful candidate for roustabout position with the perspective of getting soon advanced to better salaried roughneck, would be to get employed and work first for some time at a land based oil rig or attend fire fighter training program, or obtain OPITO approved BOSIET (basic offshore survival certificate).

Resumé

When you send out your resumé to the oil companies, it's recommended to invest some time and effort into putting one together. Ideally, the CV you send is easy neatly printed and to read, don't irritate the people in the HR or recruiters for oil rig companies; include a cover letter clearly stating the position or the vacancy you hope to get. Try to make sure your resumé is different from others. Ask someone to proofread it for you to exclude spelling mistakes. Of course, when they look to fill roustabout vacancies, literacy is not what should be considered first, but the ability to communicate what you have to say is really important for the people working as a part of team, while oil drilling is a team process. From the other hand your CV is in fact the opportunity to demonstrate that you take the idea of getting entry level oil rig job seriously and have devoted time to writing a good CV. If you feel you do need help, it may be good idea to use online resumé writing service. These semi automated resumé forwarding services can be very handy because you won't be able to send so many copies of your resumé to as many potential employers that offer oil rig jobs as automated service could.

Training

The training of the sort is not mandatory at the stage of filing application and seeking to be shortlisted for the interview with a recruiter or HR clerk, but it may increase your chances of getting the job you want dramatically. When hired to work for an onshore company, the greenhand general laborer after brief instruction is to be trained on site under the supervision to safely use available on an oil rig equipment, and to learn practically how to work on oil rigs. There's continuous classroom-based training available on board an offshore platform topped up with practical training. Over the time greenhands who are motivated and ambitious have every opportunity to get promoted to other positions available on offshore oil rigs that may be less physically demanding than entry level roustabout or roughneck, or someone in catering, but more responsible and better paid for. Salaries can vary greatly depending on your individual input to the efforts of the team in course of drilling. Beginning at an entry level job successful candidate who's been approved and hired, can expect earning easily a salary of $US 50,000 a year and well over that. The salary can also vary with regards to the type of contract, drilling site location, its geographical positioning, and depending on a specific oil company. Do you belong to older age group? Don't let the age put off you from trying even if you are over 50 years old. Although 55 y. o. is believed to be age limit for entering oil rigs, the fact is that there are many people who will work on offshore oil rigs in their early 60-ies. Taken for granted you don't have health problems, you are physically fit, do not abuse the drugs and can pass drug tests and medical examination to produce the mandatory medical certificates, plus have a sustainable criminal record, you still may be a valid candidate for working on oil rigs even in physically demanding positions.

Being physically fit and able to work hard regardless of the adverse weather conditions is crucial for for recruiters who recruit the people for oil rigs in the North Sea - the work at times turn out really very demanding physically. But even is you fit these requirements, that's still not enough to pass selection process. Try to find someone formerly or currently employed in the upstream oil & gas industry, ask them to to give a reference and have you recommended. There's much nepotism within oil drilling companies, and the industry itself is very secluded. Oil companies tend to hire individuals who have good reference from someone who already works or used to work offshore. Good reference from a former or currently employed worker with a good record might turn out more important than a smoothly written CV, even if it sounds outstanding. Should you turn out candidate that has to start at the bottom and work your way up, then you will probably work as a roustabout/roughneck, or a galleyhand or steward if in catering. When applying for these vacancies, don't fail to point out your related skills or experience you have had in other industries, maybe something related to oil industry work, such as construction. Scaffolders form essential part of every offshore oil platform crew, for example. Therefore do not forget to include your trade experiences into your application for that much competed for oil rig vacancy in the North Sea or elsewhere. If company considers you a good worker and competent specialist, they may end in offering you to get rained for another job that is less dirty and much better paid for. Wages in the North Sea and generally offshore Norway regardless of the area or even country where Norwegian contractors hire people for drilling oil start at $US 50 000 per annum or $US 300 a day, and go up to reach $US 100,000 per year for employees or workers that don't have a college or university training. If you are a Norwegian national who wants to work abroad, you can expect a salary of $US 230,000 even in position that doesn't require petroleum related education! Living offshore may be hard at the beginning until greenhorn gets accustomed, but with the time passing a beginner job holder won't fail to adjust, and gonna feel more comfortable.

General guidelines to life offshore

Here are some basic guidelines to lifestyle that is characteristic for sea based oil drilling units: A worker often is required to work night shifts, because oil rigs never stops their operation, they function 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Good communication skills and emotional stability is important. Try to be even while speaking to oil rig medic, radio operator, and even chef in the kitchen, should such contact occur. You are at sea, and you may need to seek medical attention, food, or helicopter transportation at most unexpected times. Joking, of course) Nevertheless mind, there is a part of joke in every joke. During the time of meals, take off your overalls and eat in the galley.

Security issues

So, you believe you have been lucky to outperform other applicants, now read this: never to be neglected are security issues for the upstream oil industry. Wear hard hat and work with goggles on when working around hazardous areas. Never forget you are in the proximity of heavy mechanisms every oil rig is abundant with.

Job on oil rig is very demanding and continuously stressful, but the compensation is really generous. Read soon about entry level positions and job descriptions such as oil rig electrician, toolpusher, mechanic, motorman, professional scuba diver, underwater welder, painter, scaffolder, crane operator, subsea engineer and more - there is room for employment in the oil drilling industry for people from all walks of life, both men and women.

Are you a Norway citizen wishing to work on oil rigs offshore Australia?

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Salaries

Norwegian oil rig workers are generally paid better than their counterparts from other countries and parts of the world like Asia, South Africa, or even Brazil. Norwegian oil exploration and extraction industry pays $US 1.02 million in wages, which is twice as much as the UK pays, the wages are higher in the same region, for example if we compare oil production on the Norwegian continental shelf and the UK sector of the North Sea. Statoil do their best to keep Norwegian shelf competitive in every respect, oil rig workers salaries included.

Facts

Norwegian offshore fleet is the second largest and the most modern in the world. The shipping companies are involved in all phases of the petroleum production, gas activities. The shipping is strongly related to small communities. Discoveries along the coast are important for employment and wealth creation in rural areas. Offshore ship owners are an increasingly important part of the maritime industry of Norway. Norwegian offshore fleet currently consists of around 500 vessels, of which about 60 percent of the ships sailing under the Norwegian flag. The fleet is to a very big extent international. Over half of the revenue has been collected outside the Norwegian continental shelf: in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and this tendency is only going to continue. Every four offshore vessels in Brazil are controlled by Norwegian shipping companies. The Norwegian offshore shipping companies employ about 12500 people.

The topics to be discussed soon:

  • Both upstream and downstream companies in the Norwegian petroleum sector have responsibility to ensure that none of oil sectors becomes uncompetitive.
  • New entry level workers and employees are needed, Norwegian oil companies are in the rush to hire. Some of the platforms are now completely unmanned and there may be several of them in the future.

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