This work involves standing for long periods, lifting moderately heavy objects, and climbing and stooping to work with tools that often are oily and dirty. Executives generally work in office settings, as do most administrators and clerical workers. Geologists, engineers, and managers may split their time between the office and the jobsites, particularly while involved in exploration work.

Only 1 employee in 12 works fewer than 35 hours a week, because opportunities for part-time work are rare. In fact, a higher percentage of workers work overtime in this industry than in all industries combined.

The average nonsupervisory worker worked 39.5 hours per week in 2002, compared with 33.9 hours for all nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls.

Oil and gas well drilling and servicing can be hazardous. However, in 2002 the rate of work-related injury and illness in the oil and gas extraction industry, as a whole, was 3.4 per 100 full-time workers, somewhat lower than the 5.3 for the entire private sector.

The rate for workers in the oil and gas field services segment, 4.5 per 100 full-time workers, was almost 3 times higher than that for workers in the crude petroleum and natural gas segment, which was only 1.6. However, improvements in drilling technology and oil rig operations, such as remote-controlled drills, have led to fewer injuries.

Drilling rigs operate continuously. On land, drilling crews usually work 6 days, 8 hours a day, and then have a few days off. In offshore operations, workers can work 14 days, 12 hours a day, and then have 14 days off.

If the offshore rig is located far from the coast, drilling crew members live on ships anchored nearby or in facilities on the platform itself. Workers on offshore rigs are always evacuated in the event of a storm.

Most workers in oil and gas well operations and maintenance or in natural gas processing work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Many oilfield workers are away from home for weeks or months at a time. Exploration field personnel and drilling workers frequently move from place to place as work at a particular field is completed. In contrast, well operation and maintenance workers and natural gas processing workers usually remain in the same location for extended periods.

Pros • You will make great money, even at entry-level jobs.

• You will do a lot of flying in helicopters…pretty nice, most people don’t have a clue.

• You will only work for 6 months out of the year…more or less. It’s all structured that way.

• Your vehicle will be idle while you are away…ask your insurance agent for a discount. Really.

• You may have the opportunity to travel world-wide…and keep the flyer miles.

• You’ll be fed, housed, entertained and sometimes clothed, free of charge.

• The company benefits are second to none…they all vary though.

• You can certainly save some of the great money you earn.  

Cons

• You’ll be away from your family, home and loved ones while you’re on the job.

• Communication with home will be scarce at best (and costly).

• You will be surrounded by water and steel, 24 x 7.

• Showers, eating, television and sleeping is usually communal.

• You will usually work 12 hours per day. Shifts may vary.

• No drugs or alcohol is allowed.

• There is no democracy…what the tool pusher or Captain says is law.

• Your time away at work will drag…your time off will fly like the wind (or so it will seem).

Weigh these over in your mind before making your first move. Can your spouse or significant other handle you being away from home for 2-6 weeks at a time? Can you deal with it? Consider others in your decision. Try it for a while, give a year at least. You’ll meet people that have been in the business for decades, and would have it no other way.  

Does and Don'ts If you decide that the offshore life is for you, here are some do’s and don’ts to remember:

• Do report to the Toolpusher or Captain as soon as you board unless escorted elsewhere by the safety man or Mate.

• Do show up with enough personal supplies to last longer than you expect to stay.

• Don’t arrive on a rig without a hardhat, safety glasses, and steel-toed workboots.

• Don’t participate in gossip aboard any vessel or rig. It will come back to haunt you.

• Don’t ever speak ill of the Captain or Toolpusher to a coworker. The walls will have ears.

• Do show incentive and willingness to work hard under adverse conditions. It will take you a long way.

• Don’t wear your feelings on your shoulders…never take anything personally. Friendly kidding is common.

• Do take safety seriously and consider it a favor if someone corrects you for a unsafe act.

• Don’t whine.

Finally, where you go out for your first hitch, and the going seems rough, remember why you came there in the first place. To make good money and have lots of time off. Your hitch is what you make of it. Time passes at a constant rate and you’ll be home sooner than you think. Don’t let depression or homesickness ruin a chance at a great lifestyle. Enjoy your time off, you earned it!