request for advice on getting into O&G/offshore

[Longbow212]

Hi All,

I am considering a career change, or at least a couple of years working outside my profession as a qualified teacher currently positioned in Thailand.

My interest in O&G/Offshore was primarily sparked by the high financial compensation (reportedly) together with the idea of straightforward, good honest hard work which I have always enjoyed. I am a single guy with no family so a 28/28 on off schedule would be no problem for me.

I would greatly appreciate any input and advice from members of this forum. My main queries are related to the type of jobs available and how I could gain access/training for them. I have no issues moving back to my home country if needed or being posted anywhere in the world.

Thanks

[Soutpeel]

What's your home country ? The UK ? Then the north sea is your starting point as regards a job, if you sole motivation is the high financial compensation working offshore then I would suggest your starting off on the wrong foot anyway, but if your adamant about the offshore game I would suggest you do some more research on what side of the game you want to get into no one here can really answer this for you with such an open ended question you have asked here, but which ever route you choose there is bit more to getting a start offshore by just doing a few courses, the easy answer these days is to and do an "offshore" related degree, either 3 or 4 years, then get about 10 years experience in say UK waters and then your ready for the international game

[starman_tom]

Sigh...another one that wakes up and want to be rich / have an offshore career. If I had a $ for every time I read this....

[Longbow212]

What's your home country ? The UK ? Then the north sea is your starting point as regards a job, if you sole motivation is the high financial compensation working offshore then I would suggest your starting off on the wrong foot anyway, but if your adamant about the offshore game I would suggest you do some more research on what side of the game you want to get into no one here can really answer this for you with such an open ended question you have asked here, but which ever route you choose there is bit more to getting a start offshore by just doing a few courses, the easy answer these days is to and do an "offshore" related degree, either 3 or 4 years, then get about 10 years experience in say UK waters and then your ready for the international game

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my very open ended question. I will look into offshore degrees and potential careers in the North Sea.

"Sigh...another one that wakes up and want to be rich / have an offshore career. If I had a $ for every time I read this...."

Quite an unnecessary and unhelpful response to what was a genuine and straightforward request for information.

[joshstiles]

...and not to mention so typical of the standard-issue idiots on this site with nothing else to offer

[Soutpeel]

...and not to mention so typical of the standard-issue idiots on this site with nothing else to offer

well it does seem the standard issue idiots you refer to on this forum do actually work in the game, and do know what they are talking about for the most part, but seeing as we are talking about idiots, who are bigger ones ?...the ones who are already working in the industry or the wannbee's who have to ask on an internet forum how to get a start, so it seems at least the idiots do have something to offer someone they have jobs...

just something to ponder...

further if comments like "starman" upset/offend you, I would strongly suggest you dont take an offshore job, as you will never last, his comments are very mild and reasonably polite, I think you would be a little thin skinned to work the offshore game to be honest.

[SateliteDish]

From making the decision to getting into offshore work took me about 3 years of courses and sitting about and about 6 years until I saw decent money, its a long haul and depends on your qualifications and background, some sort of engineering or health and safety knowledge would stand you in good stead as a start, but you need to be prepared for hard work and often very unforgiving colleagues

[allencostello]

Fair question as I have thought of this route being a plumber and heating engineer with extensive pipe fitting exp. You did not state your degree or was it just a TEFL course? because you could be half way there without knowing it. All the safety training you will have to do will be extensive and expensive so a lot of homework will have to be done.Also its a very hard place to get into so if you know or have family working in offshore that will be a good place to start. The thought of working and earning a good living in Thailand would be a dream but unfortunately only the few get in(the best) and good luck to them(lucky sods)

I myself am thinking of re training as HSE, whether it will give me an edge i doubt it, but to earn a good wage in Thailand or anywhere in Asia you're probably at your peak as a Teacher, myself I could not do that,. I would appreciate any info myself as an expat on options of work but nothing to do with teaching....or owning a bar lol.

Cheers Allen

[liddelljohn]

I have worked in offshore game for last 34 years ,, the industry is currently entering a downturn phase , a lot of redundant assets and also recent staff losses and compamy closures .partly due to oil price but also changes in the industry and over supply of personnel in some disciplines .

if you are considering getting a degree in offshore enginnering be aware that earning the big bucks will come slowly but if you do persist the future will be brighter as older workers retire .But even in North sea area recent influx of cheap Asian/indian enginners is eroding renumeration levels .

Do your research