Deepwater VS Shelf
 

What are you guys thoughts on working the shelf (7/7) vs working deepwater (14/14)? I'm thinking of making the switch, but I could always remember saying that I would never work 14/14 because it is too long away from home.

you should try my schedule 28/14 and sometimes 42/14............

Yeah Slayer I have respect for you guys. I could do it if I had to but I would prefer not to.

i hate doing it.............I'm just doing my time now so I can take it easy later

I hear you on that one, I kind of have the same plans, but who knows.

Deepwater is what the industry is moving too....Once we take over the Deepwater Pipelines and Calibrations I will be deepwater

Depends on where you at(Living Conditions and Amenities) Food Etc.


I do know that the Government is now looking at the 21/21 shcedule that the Deepwater Hoirzon was on. Most of the employees that died where on day 18-20.

They are looking at morale and fatigue. Things may chance. That way to long t obe away from your family & fishing.

Of course I've been on locations in the past that 2 days where 2 days to many.

I work 28/28. I used to work 14/14 Deepwater and of course have worked 7/7. I promise you once you work 14/14 you will not want to work any other way. You cut your travel time, wear and tear on your vehicle and expenses in HALF. If you look at it 7/7 is really 5/9 with the travel. Then the time off is much better working 14/14. I used to feel like I was always rushing working 7/7 but 14/14 I had time to do more.

Then there is the thing your Carer. Deepwater is where the oilfield is going. Good Luck.

lot of design plans in the works right now in nola, here, and htown.

hopefully the .gov will back off and let us push on

I have worked 7/7 in the GOM on the shelf and Deepwater for 23 years, also worked 5/2. I fish and duck guided while working 7/7 seemed like I was always rushing not enough time. I went to 28/28 in West Africa, man what a change in life style, no rush when going on vacation, able to stay on the fish and hunt and a lot more. If I ever come back to the GOM 7/7 is out, I will push for 14/14. If you ever get used to it you will wonder how you ever did 7/7.

isnt the rule now 21 days and anything more you need a MOC?

Our company, 21 is the longest you can work.
I worked 7/7 when I lived 2 miles from the heliport. 2 to 3 people on the platform. Not bad.
I now work 14/14, 4.5 hours from the heliport. 150 people. I wouldn't do this at 7/7.

There are advantages to each. But you don't want to drive all day to get home and all night to get to work on a 7/7 schedule. You will run twice the miles on your vehicle on a 7/7 schedule.

14 days off is great. 14 days working sucks.

I work 7 nights, then 7 days. Th schedule sux. I'd rather work 14 straight days or nights.

I would not mind 14/14...with 6weeks vacation under my belt I could take all summer off...:D

I take three 1 week vacations.

"W" who do you work for?

Ray I am in the same situation as you were, I live 10 minutes from the heliport now and work 7/7 with a small crew. If I move to 14/14 it will be 3 1/2 hour drive and I would also be working 7 days and 7 nights. Hard decision.

14/14 Way to go ......

Intertek-CB

Meter Maid...:*****:

Negative............only if the company u work for or the the company that contracts you has put this rule into place.

you damn right...and if you try to sell some bad urrlll...I shut your azz down;)

Hey Ray I was once a Meter Maid, good job, get to move around.

when i was at danos and curole...that was their rule..but only for production guys...i was in coatings/construction...and we would work as long as the job lasted...or 21/7

What is Yalls best suggestion to get started working offshore.

I've messaged a few of y'all. But do any of y'all know if your companies are hiring entry level

I was too. But not for long.

W, we get calls for high BS&W, but they won't shut down a 100,000+ bbl/day platform.
Platform and pipeline is owned by the same company. We just get cussed and threatened.

Well if your pipeline and platform is owned by the same company...Thats there call...and there money...but when it's not:D:D:D:D

with the new upgrade systems...the old ways of hiding BS&W days are gone....we now have sensors and alarms on the OMNI:smokin:

We had sensors on ours since we came online in 1999. They get an alarm in Houston Control Center as soon as it hits 1%, then we get a call if it don't go down within 30 minutes. Then we catch hell after 1 hour.
There is also a shutdown associated with the alarms, but they turned them off. It costs too much money to shut us in due to high BS&W.

W is a god, you know this Ray! He "wirks" for NASA so, he can pull the plug on anything! Just ask him, he'll tell ya!!!

Any of you guys ever been on special projects for a deepwater startup? Thinking about doing that also, but I would have to move to Houston for a couple of years.

On my pipelines...I can:D:D:D and Have.......:D:D

Hey W KCS proves our meters, it used to be Lake Arthur but now they send techs out of Houma. We sell to Shell and I know they are strict.

Guys I am just wondering so help me out. What is the pay scale out there hourly. I am a class A boilermaker/rigger. I am currently a extractor operater with Turner. I work out of the baton rouge office and go from plant to plant as needed. (guaranteed 40) but I am on call 24/7. I have always wondered what the payrates were offshore. I am not ashamed to say I make 29.00 dollars a hour right now. What kind of money is there in going offshore as a boilermaker for example. Just wondering. Help me out guys if you know. Thanks

What area you in?? Shell has the top of the line standards..which our company follows also...We actually go to Shell training center in Robert to get evaluated by Shell...I just went two hitches ago...

I work in the VR blocks out of ICY.

Depends what you know and what classification you would start out.... If your wanted into production...Your not going to see 29. an hour anytime soon.... but you do work 40 reg and 44 ot...Im not sure what the pay scale is but I know some Lead op only make about 25-26 hr...and have 10 years experience

And our Houma office takes care of yall??

Yeah, One of the Techs got hurt and the other had to handle all of the load by hisself and then he ended up quitting so we started getting guys out of Houma. I'm sure it will probably change back to Lake Arthur, just not sure when.

I just do my 7 and go home... Cant keep up with all the changes and drama

Oh
 

Oh I thought they made more than that. I had no clue. Thanks W. I was just wondering cause I am looking for a change sometime in the future.

Hourly wages depend on the company. I know the majors pay more money per hour, but as far as I know, most of them have a split week.

There are other fields that make lot more..... some you will not have a set schedule.... depends what you like.... My job I have...I love it....Been doing it 11 years and plan on doing it 22 more.....rigzone.com has all kind of things to look at....surf there and look

Thanks
 

Thanks W. I will check out that site. It sounds good. Thanks again Bo.

hey W and Ray and other offshore PROS'
 

need some advice...alright, i already have a semester down in instrument tech.
(problem is nearest instrument tech school that i was going to was in Laplace...and i stay in houma,...yeah i made that hour fifteen minute erryday...and it killed me ...with no job)

there's a ptec/production operator degree program in houma, i was thinking since they are somewhat similar( instrument tech and ptec) some if not all my classes will might/hope transfer.

or ....
an electrician degree also in houma, yet, if i go this route, it would more than likely start from scratch, a full 2 years....

so if you were in my predicament, with the options listed above, which would you choose? Im really digging DC ELECTRICITY especially interested in marine electrician. I've met instrument tech's offshore, with and without degrees, and also operators and also marine electricians, and i can say they roughly start and make about the same...although operator job would be alot less demanding, i hear the jobs are alot less abundant also(for production operator.)

im really looking for the long run. Where as instrument tech/operator--i would be primarily either be offshore/plant, electrician, i can actually leave the oilfield itself, and still have many other options available( residential, commercial, automotive, marine, boat, I&e , etc. i will be starting school again in june, so my decision is needed by next Friday(deadline for enrollment)

WHAT YA PROS GOT TO SAY?


PS..regardless of how interested i was at the beginning and how disinterested i was at the end of my first instrument tech semester---i made all A's and B's 3.3333......not bad for someone thats been outta school for a few years....hell i didnt even need to take re-medials... im trying to stream line this , as in taking 15-18 hrs a semester , maybe more.

Similar but no where near the SAME. Us Tech's can do an operator's job (Prop our feet up and turn a block valve every now and again), but not gonna see an operator do a Tech's job. Right Goose and Yella? Get the tech degree and some Electrical classes and do any of your above mentioned jobs. ;)

With knowledge in electricity and instrument field you can look into Liner Controls.... You can also look into the field im in... Measurement of Gas and Oil specialize in these areas (rosemount,totalflows,scadapak,3095FC,Barton,LACT units,YZ sampling,composite sampling of oil&gas,oil turbines and LOTS OF PAPERWORK)

Booy, I don't have any dealings with the oilfield but I see all the crafts you described in the petro/chemical industry from New Orleans to Port Arthur.

Get you a trade son. Whether it is Instrumentation or Electrician you can go anywhere in the world and find a job plus you will have a skill that no one can take from you.

I see hundreds of kids every semester graduate with the Ptec degree only to find that very few immediately find a job. They encounter a tremendous amount of competition but there are always a few fortunate ones that land a job.

Quick example for an instrumentation tech. I helped an oil refinery in Texas find some instrument techs to hire permanently for the company not a contractor. They finally ended up hiring 2 workers over the age of 52.
Reason is they only had 3 apps for a $34/hour job because every one else is working with good jobs. I can assure you these companies are looking for someone they can invest their money in for the long haul not someone with 10 years left.

Endure the pain now and reap the rewards later. A skilled craftsman is becoming an increasingly valuable item in America.
Stay in a vo-tech school. These kids come out of ABC school with a few months of training (which I'm glad for them) but they are no where near the skill level of a vocational school graduate.

If I were starting my own small business I'd rather have the strong electrical backround. Offshore, the electronics and instrumentation will serve you better. Study PLCs and smart relay logic. Ptech may get you into a MWD job offshore also.

thanks for all the advice guys...its different hearing from guys already in the field..instrument tech is stilll on my mind because like others said ,it incorporates everything that i'm actually interested in....INSTRUMENT, ELECTRIC(DC MAINLY) and PTECH. all in one wop, and i already have a semester in. The **** part is the hour 15 drive everyday with the GAS increasing. It really does suck runnning around with NO REAL trade (painting/blasting/rigging) and at the end of the year, im still very dissatisfied.

IM TIRED OF BEING THE "weak mind, strong back" worker....im ready to be the "weak back, strong mind" worker lol..

again thanks everyone for their input, and this will probably not be the last of it....anybody know of companies hiring interns/apprentices still in school?Most prefer that i have at least my certification , which is still a year away.

One of my best friends is an instrument tech in the refineries. Although work slowed last year, he never went without a job. He makes a good living and is in high demand.

I have another friend who is also the same and he's pushing $40/hr doing it!

You are right, strong back, weak mind sucks. Your back will give out long before your mind does.

I agree with the guys above. I graduated in ITEC with my bachelors and there wasn't much out there for me, so I ended up landing an job as an operator. If I were you I would stick it out, there should be plenty of jobs for you out there.