It is common knowledge that working on an oil rig pays well. At the same time, far fewer people know that it is also hard work. It is also possible for people without training to work on an oil platform. There are certain disadvantages, such as that someone has relatively little privacy and is away from home for a long time. The advantages of offshore work are that a person is then free for a long time at a time. Working on an oil rig is known to pay well. At the same time, it is a job that requires hard work. There are thousands of oil rigs worldwide. A platform is intended to drill for natural gas or oil in relatively shallow areas. For example, there are relatively many oil rigs in the North Sea, because this sea is only twenty meters deep on average. A drilling platform is equipped with a pontoon and a derrick. The drilling rig is fixed to the bottom or rests on a floating structure. There will mainly be a floating island when oil is still being sought. More use is made of a fixed structure when an oil platform drills for oil or gas at a fixed location. An average oil rig lasts about fifteen years. In the Netherlands, most oil platforms are owned by Shell.
Working on an oil rig or oil platform
Anyone who works on an oil rig usually only has to work six months a year. The work is also called offshore work, because it is done away from the coast. On the days that he or she does have to work, it is also hard. Someone is expected to work at least twelve hours a day. The salary is relatively good, about 150 percent above what someone with a similar education would earn on the mainland. Different types of people are needed to operate an oil rig, such as an engineer. However, it is not necessary to have an education. For example, the General Roustabout is an unskilled worker. This person mainly performs physically demanding work and tidies up the workplaces. Someone from maintenance does various maintenance work, such as painting. Furthermore, cooks are also needed on an oil rig, for example.
What is it like to work on an oil rig?
The connection to the mainland is usually done by helicopter. Supplies are also delivered in this way. There are various facilities on board an oil platform to escape from work. For example, there are films to borrow and there is a digital television. Most oil platforms also have a fitness room, a sauna and a jacuzzi. The bedrooms are often shared with several people. This is because there is not much space around an oil platform, so they must be designed as efficiently as possible. It is generally not allowed to drink alcohol on board. Drugs and cigarettes are completely forbidden, not only because they are unhealthy, but also because they could lead to fire or explosion hazard. There is also internet to keep in touch with the home front.
Advantages and disadvantages of working on an oil rig
There are certain advantages and disadvantages to working on an oil rig. The advantage is that it pays well and that someone only has to work six months a year. At the same time, there are also many disadvantages. Take this into account and be aware of it when you choose to work on an oil platform. It is hard work when you are at the board and you have relatively little privacy. You must also be able to cope with being away from home for extended periods of time.