Offshore in West Africa, the Congo and Ivory Coast..

[Franky Bear]

Has anyone worked there?

I have a sniff of a job out there right now.............

[PiPiFFS]

I put a couple of rigs in the water there several years ago. Just off Angola but had to transit from the Congo. The shittiest and most scary place I have ever been. When around 20 of us got demanned we took the boat back to shore only for the Heerema rep to tell us he only had 2 flights. Ended up in a resort for 2 weeks on full pay and just sign for everything which was a bonus.

The flight from port Noir was also a story in itself

[misterphil]

My mate has, says its OK too.

[Franky Bear]

I put a couple of rigs in the water there several years ago. Just off Angola but had to transit from the Congo. The shittiest and most scary place I have ever been. When around 20 of us got demanned we took the boat back to shore only for the Heerema rep to tell us he only had 2 flights. Ended up in a resort for 2 weeks on full pay and just sign for everything which was a bonus.

The flight from port Noir was also a story in itself

Yeah i know it's rough. I've done Iraq and other poopholes so i'd handle it....hopefully

[PiPiFFS]

Work is work mate at the moment. Given a chance i would go back. Just don't loiter getting to and from the rig or jack up

[Franky Bear]

Work is work mate at the moment. Given a chance i would go back. Just don't loiter getting to and from the rig or jack up

There's a few irons in the fire. Vietnam, China, Singapore. All roughly the same package......

[TheAceFace]

Take the first one that is a definite go I would say if you "need" a job. You could also look at the ME, Saudi is booming at the moment and you would probably find a better deal.

Just my 10p's worth. Good luck.

[Franky Bear]

Take the first one that is a definite go I would say if you "need" a job. You could also look at the ME, Saudi is booming at the moment and you would probably find a better deal.

Just my 10p's worth. Good luck.

Been in the game 10 years mate. Most of that in the ME. Not too keen to go back on Landrigs as the rig move does my head in. I don't "need" a job as i am doing 14 weeks between now and theend of the year on a high day rate so i could take a year off no problem. But i'd rather keep working

[TheAceFace]

Take the first one that is a definite go I would say if you "need" a job. You could also look at the ME, Saudi is booming at the moment and you would probably find a better deal.

Just my 10p's worth. Good luck.

Been in the game 10 years mate. Most of that in the ME. Not too keen to go back on Landrigs as the rig move does my head in. I don't "need" a job as i am doing 14 weeks between now and theend of the year on a high day rate so i could take a year off no problem. But i'd rather keep working

Same sort of time as me mate, just on my last couple of days in Saudi before I transfer out. I guess your consulting seen as though you may want to work your time off? Have a look at Nabors, they may have stuff for month or 2. Although if I were in your shoes I would be happy to stay home for a while.........it does my head in here lol

[Franky Bear]

Take the first one that is a definite go I would say if you "need" a job. You could also look at the ME, Saudi is booming at the moment and you would probably find a better deal.

Just my 10p's worth. Good luck.

Been in the game 10 years mate. Most of that in the ME. Not too keen to go back on Landrigs as the rig move does my head in. I don't "need" a job as i am doing 14 weeks between now and theend of the year on a high day rate so i could take a year off no problem. But i'd rather keep working

Same sort of time as me mate, just on my last couple of days in Saudi before I transfer out. I guess your consulting seen as though you may want to work your time off? Have a look at Nabors, they may have stuff for month or 2. Although if I were in your shoes I would be happy to stay home for a while.........it does my head in here lol

I've worked for Nabors before in Iraq mate.

I want to stay offshore. The reason i am finishing is this rig is stacking so on Dec 30 all expats are gone. My back to back got run off so i said i'd do his time with a two week break. So doing 7-2-7 weeks on $1,000 day rate haha

I have a Skype interview with this other company (one of the majors) when i get home around the 30th. Last interview i had was Jan 1991 when i joined the Royal navy so i hope i don;t fluff it though nerves haha

[liddelljohn]

the ME dayrates are a joke at the moment not only that but most jobs they want 8 weeks minimum and thats too long , but West africa is a likely EBOLA zone and thats a concern

[stevie123]

Congo is ok been their a few times but couldn't tell you about the Ivory Coast but to me seems a bit dodgy at the moment with this Ebola carry on.

But you work on the semis right so shouldn't be a problem. Me personally i wouldn't go but everyone to there own.

[needforspeed]

Job is a job, i general companies dont take risks regarding crew in does countries.

Myself been i few places, few months ago did 2 hitches in Liberia, that is locked at the moment.

If you can get a job i would take it, coming 2 years difficult to get new jobs.

[stevie123]

Thats true when i was down their for a major player i was well looked after with crew change.

Also if you need the the job then go for it. But me personally I wouldn't go but that's just me

Looking at some websites regarding employment theirs plenty of jobs going around on the drillers not just down in Africa.

[Franky Bear]

I can take a year out if i want but i'm not like that. I want to keep working. Oil prices are dropping so that means bean counters get twitchy. When i was in my room last night i got an Email from a recruiter. There's a company building three new rigs in Oman and he asked if i'd be interested. They will Mob the end of the year so that is perfect for me. I told him i wouldn't work for under 450 a day as the Chief Rig Mechanic, but did tell him to tell the company i want $550 a day, the more i make the more the recruiter makes. I've also worked in Oman before. IMO it's the best place to work in the ME as it's easy to get to Bkk (i know all ME countries are) and the visa is a doddle and we get the fingerprint ID for coming in and out of the country through immigration

But i'd much rather go offshore as the money is much bigger.

I am in a good position in that i am at the sweet spot of 10 years on Land and Offshore rigs so there is honestly plenty opportunities coming my way.

I know the Ebola thing is a worry and i will keep my eye on it.

But i am in no way desperate for a job. I have a good nest egg and my monthly outgoings for rent and utilities is only 40K so can sit back and pick and choose. I am not one that jumps from job to job though, i have always stuck it out with companies. Once i finish here this will be the shortest i have worked for a company which will be about 14 months

Edited October 9, 2014 by Franky Bear

[stevie123]

Franky bear

I don't know much about the drill rigs as i work as a Crane op on the constructions ship out off Labuan

But what i do know is that a lot of my mates are working on the drill ships and they get serious money with all the perks

Your a mechanic if is was you i would look into going down that road. As I'm lead to believe once your in your more or less sorted until your ready to get out of the game all together.

And I know for a fact that Ocean Rig are screaming for men as i was ask to do a skype interview but declined as I'm not interested in the drillers as I come from a marine back ground and drillers involves to much work 5555555555

[Franky Bear]

Franky bear

I don't know much about the drill rigs as i work as a Crane op on the constructions ship out off Labuan

But what i do know is that a lot of my mates are working on the drill ships and they get serious money with all the perks

Your a mechanic if is was you i would look into going down that road. As I'm lead to believe once your in your more or less sorted until your ready to get out of the game all together.

And I know for a fact that Ocean Rig are screaming for men as i was ask to do a skype interview but declined as I'm not interested in the drillers as I come from a marine back ground and drillers involves to much work 5555555555

I know mate. I'm on a an offshore drilling barge now mate. I have a contact at Ocean Rig and i am on their radar

I want to stay offshore, but will cover my arse with this Oman job. If something better comes up i'll tell them straight that is what has happened

I would like to get into the Yards in South Korea. I know in my position they are also screaming out for bodies. They are offering up to $350,000 a year, full Platinum BUPA, monthly Bonuses if projects are met of beaten, and businessclass. They are employing plumbers from the UK and USA as full mechanics because they can't get the staff haha

[stevie123]

Frigging hell

Has that what it has come to plummers!!!!!!!

[stevie123]

Oh by the way

Did you get everything sorted with your visa?

As last trip i was in the same position regarding visas was a wee bit nervous going through immigration in BKK but i had no probs. first thing i done when i got home was a visa so all good now. Thank FxxK

[Franky Bear]

Oh by the way

Did you get everything sorted with your visa?

As last trip i was in the same position regarding visas was a wee bit nervous going through immigration in BKK but i had no probs. first thing i done when i got home was a visa so all good now. Thank FxxK

yeah all good. The immigration cop on the way out questioned us and our daughter. Next time we will have her birth certs with her.

[stevie123]

Nice one

Anyway goodluck whatever you decide to do

[Franky Bear]

Is it worth adding each other on LinkedIn? Or is that a banned site on TV?

[eeeya]

Anyone know if service companies on drillers are paying good over there?

[stevie123]

I don't do

Linkedin,facebook,twitter as reading some of the other threads on TV ( you probably know which ones ) how much problems social Media causes.

Im a bit old school in that way but if i hear of any work that may interest you i will certainly send it your way or maybe start a new thread on the Offshore forum for lads looking for work pass on job offers you have knocked back. As someone will be looking for work on here.

[Franky Bear]

I don't do

Linkedin,facebook,twitter as reading some of the other threads on TV ( you probably know which ones ) how much problems social Media causes.

Im a bit old school in that way but if i hear of any work that may interest you i will certainly send it your way or maybe start a new thread on the Offshore forum for lads looking for work pass on job offers you have knocked back. As someone will be looking for work on here.

Good shout. I've knocked back the chief rig mechanic role in Kurdistan and Algeria for Weatherford this last week or so

[Loptr]

You do know there is an ebola outbreak in the region with cases reported in the Congo, right? A buddy just headed to Lagos for an O&G contract and he is crapping his pants now that he's there... He's trying to cancel his contract so he can get the hell out of there... Just sayin'...

[stevie123]

Yeah that's the reason I will be given Africa a wide berth. But if your going down their for a major company I'm sure you'll be well protected and well payed.

But me personally money isn't everything so I wouldn't take the chance.

[Franky Bear]

Yeah I'm well aware of the dangers gents. I don't want to say too much more about the actual job as you never know who's reading.

[Aussieroaming]

I've worked in the Congo, Zambia and Senegal. Never had a drama and would go back anytime for the right money.

[Franky Bear]

I've worked in the Congo, Zambia and Senegal. Never had a drama and would go back anytime for the right money.

Cheers Skippy. It's a good package. Platinum BUPA, pension, bonus and a monthly pay not a day rate