Oil And Gas Career Prospects?

[Consultant]

Guys,

Newbie here, so please go easy on me. I am a chartered chemical engineer working in Aberdeen Scotland, and fancy a change. I am thinking about moving to Thailand to work and start a new life basically. What are the prospects like here, and what should I expect salarywise? I have 9 years process eng experience.

Where are the jobs mainly? BKK, Sriracha etc? Thanks in advance, and sorry for all the questions.

[Soutpeel]

As somebody who works in the Thai O&G game...simple answer dont hold your breath, you have missed gettng in on this by about 8-10 years, you might be very lucky and get a break somewhere but dont count on it...if you want to discuss further drop me a PM

Soutie

[chanwit]

From time to time I meet guys who live in Thailand and have Thai families but work on off shore rigs near India.

You may know more about the offshore rigs work schedule but I think it's like work long hours every day for a month and then take a month off; or something to that effect.

[geordie]

There is plenty of work in the offshore industry, but trying to get into a position with a company in lets say Bangkok is a different matter.

Try applying for work with companie's in your area that have oversea's work or go through agencies.

I have lived in Thailand for about 8 years, work in the oil and gas industry and have never been out of work, i work mostly in Malaysia and do some work offshore Thailand.

You can still live in Thailand and carry on working offshore, companies don't really care where you live, if they need you they will fly you out to the work site.

Geordie

[Soutpeel]

From time to time I meet guys who live in Thailand and have Thai families but work on off shore rigs near India.

You may know more about the offshore rigs work schedule but I think it's like work long hours every day for a month and then take a month off; or something to that effect.

Guys, have look at the OP question and info, he is a chemical engineer which is generally not an offshore position, also believe he is looking for O&G work based in Thailand not surrounding areas..

[Consultant]

From time to time I meet guys who live in Thailand and have Thai families but work on off shore rigs near India.

You may know more about the offshore rigs work schedule but I think it's like work long hours every day for a month and then take a month off; or something to that effect.

Guys, have look at the OP question and info, he is a chemical engineer which is generally not an offshore position, also believe he is looking for O&G work based in Thailand not surrounding areas..

Spot on mate, but thanks to all for the replies so far. Yup, will be office based, as generally thats what we do and also, prefer to stay in Thailand and specifically BKK. I know that could be a bit harder though. What about neighbouring areas - say KL, Singapore, Vietnam etc? What are prospects like there? Soutpeel, do you work as a limited co, or employed? What do most people do over there - eg. in Aberdeen, most are limited co. individuals working on a 'contract' basis, which of course is more financially lucrative, but also carriers stability risks!

Soutpeel - whats your speciality?

[Soutpeel]

From time to time I meet guys who live in Thailand and have Thai families but work on off shore rigs near India.

You may know more about the offshore rigs work schedule but I think it's like work long hours every day for a month and then take a month off; or something to that effect.

Guys, have look at the OP question and info, he is a chemical engineer which is generally not an offshore position, also believe he is looking for O&G work based in Thailand not surrounding areas..

Spot on mate, but thanks to all for the replies so far. Yup, will be office based, as generally thats what we do and also, prefer to stay in Thailand and specifically BKK. I know that could be a bit harder though. What about neighbouring areas - say KL, Singapore, Vietnam etc? What are prospects like there? Soutpeel, do you work as a limited co, or employed? What do most people do over there - eg. in Aberdeen, most are limited co. individuals working on a 'contract' basis, which of course is more financially lucrative, but also carriers stability risks!

Soutpeel - whats your speciality?

Mate,

Get all the thoughts of working as Ltd company/self employed in Thailand out of your head, self employed just about impossible, Ltd co could be done but far too many headaches...ie THB 2.0mil start up company, 4 Thai employees, Work permit issues for first two years..ie in and out the country every 90 days....

Your best bet is through a Thai agency and seconded to a MNC or large Thai company..drop me a PM and will give you a list of possibles....Will tell you my speciality on the PM, dont publicise it on an open forum as start getting CV's from every just about every bum in Pattaya wanting jobs...

Salarywise...if you can pull it off....expect double or triple what you are earning in bonnie Aberdeen.. ...with less tax and the weather is a lot better...

[ceebee2]

Not wanting to seem to be jumping on the bandwagon, which actually I am doing.

I am a Chartered Instrument Engineer who has worked in the Petrochemical/Oil and Gas Industries for over 30 years.

More than 15 of those as a contract Engineer through my own limited company.

All my posts apart from a short period in Abu Dhabi have been for EPC Contractors in the London Area.

Unfortunately Contract work in UK (apart from possibly Aberdeen) is DEAD at present, I have been between contracts since June.

Finances are now beginning to be a problem so I am about to try and sell my house in London and either bring forward my retirement to Thailand with my Thai wife (I am 59 in January) or even better find work in Thailand or possibly Malaysia.

Any possible leads for work around Bangkok or Bang Lamung or Rayong would be gratefuly received.

A Merry Christmas to you all

[GuestHouse]

There's a recension on - Sign up at http://www.oilandgasjobsearch.com/ and take what you can.

[Pdaz]

Like Soutpeet says.. The bandwagon has been missed.. Yes 15 - 20 years ago there was a huge ammount of work here for expats both offshore and in the office.. But in the time since the local trainees have made their way up the ladder and most jobs have been localised.. I was out in Natuna Indo some Months back.. A huge field with a lot of infrastructure.. Only 3 expats left as senior managers... There is still work out here in Asia but it's all very specialised.. Unless you are one of the guys in those areas (and have a lot of experience) the job you are after is more likely to be filled by a local.. I've been working offshore over here for 20 years now and it's a lot different these days.. I see adverts for guys online for the work I do and many are now footnoted with 'Indian National required' 'Must be Brazillian'' ''Looking for Singaporean'' etc etc.. The other factor is all the cheap well educated masses from Eastern Europe.. Companies like Saipem love to hire Poles, Croats Etc.. Hard working, well qualified and most importantly willing to work for a song (till they get some experience)

If it was easy to get a start out here... everybody would be doing it..

[Jonathanpattaya]

I spent ten years working in China as a drilling engineer.

Thailand has it pretty much sewn-up and has a relatively small oil and gas industry.

In this and neighbouring regions I would suggest China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

I have four friends working in India in various engineering jobs and have nothing good to say about it.

Oh, I forgot to wish you good luck with your ambitions.

Edited December 23, 2009 by Jonathanpattaya

[Soutpeel]

I spent ten years working in China as a drilling engineer.

Thailand has it pretty much sewn-up and has a relatively small oil and gas industry.

In this and neighbouring regions I would suggest China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

I have four friends working in India in various engineering jobs and have nothing good to say about it.

Oh, I forgot to wish you good luck with your ambitions.

Bombay High by any chance ??....hear form a few people who have worked there thats its a real sh*t hole..

Australia is problematic due to the tax you would be paying

Indo - possible but very few expats these days

Malaysia - Want there own people

Best possiblity is China

[meom]

Still a lot of expansion going on in Saudi so you might want to try there.

Example:

http://www.downstreamtoday.com/jobs/job_po....asp?p_id=11292