Here it is, all of my experience in a blog space for other people to enjoy. This is the best information you will find anywhere on the web (It's Free!) do not fall for a scam, do not pay for some guy who has a website to send your resume to the oil companies for you, it is extremely easy to do if you know how. And here it is, all the information you need free of charge. Everything from how to find the companies to call, to what to wear to your interview, to what to bring to your first day of work. It is all here, so my years of failures and success' here for you to learn from.
Enjoy and I wish you all the best of luck!
Sincerely Drew
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
What equipment do you need to start work!
When you start on an oil rig, a few items are a neccesity when going to work. Most of the locations that you will be sent to go work will be in the middle of nowhere with little or no stores to buy equipment that is required, so before you go out the first time, make sure that you have the required equipment.
First of all, a good pair of work boots, they MUST be SA approved steel toe boots. My recomendation from past experience is that you get a pair of Rubber boots that have a removable insulation for the winter. You are going to want to have a pair that are rated for -100 degrees. It sounds crazy but you will appreciate them. The nice thing about these boots in particular is you can remove the insulation lining for the summer and then place it back in in the winter. All year round you are going to be around lots and lots of water and walking thorugh it. So trust me on this one... A good pair of insulated rubber steel toed boots go for around $200 at any Marks Work Warehouse in Alberta.
You will also need a few pairs of coveralls, now some employers will arrange for you to have compnay ones, other companies will require you to go buy your own. If the company offers ones at a cost, I recommend purchasing those ones. Either way, they are required to be flame resistant, and have reflective stripes on them. It is not recommended to get the "winter" ones, as they restrict your movement considerably. It is more recomended to get a fall or summer pair, so that they can be worn year-round and in the winter all that is required is a One-piece piar of Helly Hansen LongJohns for underneath they cost approximately $150 but are worth there weight in Gold.
The next valuable peice of equipment is a rain suit, specially for the summer, spring, and fall. It rains quite a bit and even when it isn't there is still alot of water being thrown around (trust me on this one, tons of water).
Now for your hard-hat, make sure you get one of the FULL-BRIMED hard-hats... It kind of looks like a firemans hard hat, if you don't want to be called duck or be put through more agony then neccessary just buy this one!
First of all, a good pair of work boots, they MUST be SA approved steel toe boots. My recomendation from past experience is that you get a pair of Rubber boots that have a removable insulation for the winter. You are going to want to have a pair that are rated for -100 degrees. It sounds crazy but you will appreciate them. The nice thing about these boots in particular is you can remove the insulation lining for the summer and then place it back in in the winter. All year round you are going to be around lots and lots of water and walking thorugh it. So trust me on this one... A good pair of insulated rubber steel toed boots go for around $200 at any Marks Work Warehouse in Alberta.
You will also need a few pairs of coveralls, now some employers will arrange for you to have compnay ones, other companies will require you to go buy your own. If the company offers ones at a cost, I recommend purchasing those ones. Either way, they are required to be flame resistant, and have reflective stripes on them. It is not recommended to get the "winter" ones, as they restrict your movement considerably. It is more recomended to get a fall or summer pair, so that they can be worn year-round and in the winter all that is required is a One-piece piar of Helly Hansen LongJohns for underneath they cost approximately $150 but are worth there weight in Gold.
The next valuable peice of equipment is a rain suit, specially for the summer, spring, and fall. It rains quite a bit and even when it isn't there is still alot of water being thrown around (trust me on this one, tons of water).
Now for your hard-hat, make sure you get one of the FULL-BRIMED hard-hats... It kind of looks like a firemans hard hat, if you don't want to be called duck or be put through more agony then neccessary just buy this one!
What to expect your first day at work!
Many people I've talked to are more concerned about their first ay at work then anything else. Over the years with all of the accidents that have occured, their are strict stipulations as to what will be tollerated by employees, and many of the farces that were once acceptable have now been banned. So simply put, it will be no worse then your first day at highschool. A whole lot of change and a bunch of nice people that want you to learn so that they don't have to do your job for you. It is very professional and the amount of racism and disrespect that once used to exist is mostly a thing of the past.
No matter how much I write in this blog, nothing can explain what you are going to experience your first day at work. It is an incredible process that is used for Oil Drilling, Huge Machinery, Big buildings in the middle of fields, Huge trucks, and people going crazy... all to completely one common task, drill a hole in the middle of a field that is anywhere from 600 - 3600 meters deep (that's right, 3.6 km down).
No matter how much I write in this blog, nothing can explain what you are going to experience your first day at work. It is an incredible process that is used for Oil Drilling, Huge Machinery, Big buildings in the middle of fields, Huge trucks, and people going crazy... all to completely one common task, drill a hole in the middle of a field that is anywhere from 600 - 3600 meters deep (that's right, 3.6 km down).
How to get through the Hiring Process!
As I have said in one of my earlier blogs, there is a physical and drug screenign required by most of the large companies. Prior to this though, most companies require you to go to their office and fill out basic paperwork and have an "interview". The interview will not consist of any mentally demanding questions, (think about it, your applying to be a rig pig....). One thing to keep in mind is, don't look like you are applying for a position as a laywer, how would you dress if you were applying to a helper for a pig farm? Old Jeans and a half warn-out t-shirt will do just the trick.
Basically, if you can pass the physical and you know how to spell your own name, they will have you out and working in no time!
Basically, if you can pass the physical and you know how to spell your own name, they will have you out and working in no time!
Where to Apply in the Oil Industry!
For those of you who have no idea how to get started with this whole process, then the best advice I can give is, go to http://www.yellowpages.ca and search up "oil drilling" or "oil servicing" in "Alberta". There will come up with a list of companies that provide these services so now you can just start calling. Some of the major companies in Alberta, just to name a few are: Champion Drilling, Trinidad Well Servicing, Trailblazer Drilling, Precision Drilling, Mission Drilling.
For those of you that are unsure how the entire oil industry works, here is the basics for you. Seismic crews go through and survey and mark the land (Pay is decent considering the amount of work, however not comparible to actual rig positions) Then a Drilling Rig comes out and Drills a well where they are told (Pretty much). On a Drilling Rig the great pay comes from the over time (84 hours/week so 40 hours of overtime, 12 hours/day 7 days/week, 14 days on, 7 off) and the $140/day that each crew member receives for living allowance (hotel and meals and gas). Now there are 5 key positions: the Leasehand - who is pretty much the janitor on the rigs and gets paid $21/hour plus living allowance to do it. Then there is the Roughneck - who trips pipe and helps the leasehand clean. Then there is Motorhand - who also helps trip pipe and also is pretty much like the mechanic on the rig. Then the Derickhand - who is responsible for mixing and maintaining the mud that is used for drilling. Then the Driller - just as it sounds, guy who sits in a heated/air conditioned building and tells everyone else what to do. Well except for the Tool Push - who is the boss that sits in a shack and does paperwork and only comes out when shit hits the fan.
Each position is learned from the one previous. Most of the rig hands who are in the higher positions once started as a Leasehand and just worked there way up the corporate ladder. If you prove yourself through your work ethics and abilities then it can take as little as 1 month for you to receive a promotion.
After the drilling rig there is a servicing rig that comes in, I do not know much about how they function, but from what I've heard from the lifers (people who work on the rigs for life) they say that it is similar positions, same pay but more work. So in my opinion if a drilling rig has an open position available, that would be my preference over a servicing rig. However Beggers can't be choosers.
For those of you that are unsure how the entire oil industry works, here is the basics for you. Seismic crews go through and survey and mark the land (Pay is decent considering the amount of work, however not comparible to actual rig positions) Then a Drilling Rig comes out and Drills a well where they are told (Pretty much). On a Drilling Rig the great pay comes from the over time (84 hours/week so 40 hours of overtime, 12 hours/day 7 days/week, 14 days on, 7 off) and the $140/day that each crew member receives for living allowance (hotel and meals and gas). Now there are 5 key positions: the Leasehand - who is pretty much the janitor on the rigs and gets paid $21/hour plus living allowance to do it. Then there is the Roughneck - who trips pipe and helps the leasehand clean. Then there is Motorhand - who also helps trip pipe and also is pretty much like the mechanic on the rig. Then the Derickhand - who is responsible for mixing and maintaining the mud that is used for drilling. Then the Driller - just as it sounds, guy who sits in a heated/air conditioned building and tells everyone else what to do. Well except for the Tool Push - who is the boss that sits in a shack and does paperwork and only comes out when shit hits the fan.
Each position is learned from the one previous. Most of the rig hands who are in the higher positions once started as a Leasehand and just worked there way up the corporate ladder. If you prove yourself through your work ethics and abilities then it can take as little as 1 month for you to receive a promotion.
After the drilling rig there is a servicing rig that comes in, I do not know much about how they function, but from what I've heard from the lifers (people who work on the rigs for life) they say that it is similar positions, same pay but more work. So in my opinion if a drilling rig has an open position available, that would be my preference over a servicing rig. However Beggers can't be choosers.
How to Apply to the Oil Industry!
For those of you who think that it is possible to contact these places while still out-of-province and set a job up before you make the voyage out here to get the job, reconsider you options. This is most likely not going to happen unless you posses a trades or technical diploma that is extremely in-demand in Alberta. So your best bet is to make the voyage out, see this beautiful part of the country and either find a relative, friend or a really nice guy named "Howard Johnson" to stay with while you are searching for this perfect job.
Another neccesity for those of you who are interested in persuing this "dream job" is a vehicle, especially during the summer months. During the winter there are normally some job openings for camp jobs, where the company will fly you to and from your work location and as well pay for your living accomodations and transportation while you are there. However during the summer months these placements are few and far between, so a vehicle is a must in order to be able to comute to and from the rig and hotel.
As for your Resume, honesty is not always your best option. If you are looking for a position on a drilling or servicing rig in Alberta then say that you worked doing either roofing or construction on your resume, even if you haven't! Do not worry about that stupid section on a resume where you have to write "References Available Upon Request" because of all the places I have worked and applied, there has yet to be a "request".
Once you have prepared a list of places to send your resume and cover letter to. (How to compile this list will be posted in "Where to apply in the Oil Industry") Then call these places and request to speak with somebody in Human Resources, when you are on the phone with someone from that department, ask if they are currently hiring any rig hand positions. They might ask if you are "green" (for those of you who don't know, it means you have no experience) then they might ask if you have your H2S and whatnot, then they will likely request you to send a copy of your resume to them via Fax, if ou do not have a fax machine, you best bet is to go to Staples Business Depot and use there's for next to nothing.
Once you have sent your fax to there attention, wait one day or so and if you have not heard a response then call them back and request to speak to somebody in Human Resources again, and just explain that you have sent off your resume through fax and you were just wondering if they have had any time to review it.
Another neccesity for those of you who are interested in persuing this "dream job" is a vehicle, especially during the summer months. During the winter there are normally some job openings for camp jobs, where the company will fly you to and from your work location and as well pay for your living accomodations and transportation while you are there. However during the summer months these placements are few and far between, so a vehicle is a must in order to be able to comute to and from the rig and hotel.
As for your Resume, honesty is not always your best option. If you are looking for a position on a drilling or servicing rig in Alberta then say that you worked doing either roofing or construction on your resume, even if you haven't! Do not worry about that stupid section on a resume where you have to write "References Available Upon Request" because of all the places I have worked and applied, there has yet to be a "request".
Once you have prepared a list of places to send your resume and cover letter to. (How to compile this list will be posted in "Where to apply in the Oil Industry") Then call these places and request to speak with somebody in Human Resources, when you are on the phone with someone from that department, ask if they are currently hiring any rig hand positions. They might ask if you are "green" (for those of you who don't know, it means you have no experience) then they might ask if you have your H2S and whatnot, then they will likely request you to send a copy of your resume to them via Fax, if ou do not have a fax machine, you best bet is to go to Staples Business Depot and use there's for next to nothing.
Once you have sent your fax to there attention, wait one day or so and if you have not heard a response then call them back and request to speak to somebody in Human Resources again, and just explain that you have sent off your resume through fax and you were just wondering if they have had any time to review it.
What is required to start on the Oil Rigs!
First of all you have to have your H2S Alive course, make sure that you don't fall for a course with a different name, (there are many available but only few are recognized in the industry). Your best bet would be to go to http://www.enform.com and book your course at one of their many locations. They are the most accredited certification available.
Once accepted for an "Interview" ("can you spell your own name?") then you have to go for a pre-employment physical. This process wich has been adopted by most of the major companies in Alberta is a process that will certainly eliminate many "out-of-shape" applicants. It is not an easy process, basically you have to be able to "comfortably" lift 100lbs. If you want to practice for this physical, take 100 lbs in weights and do as many squats as you can each day. Once you are able to do at least 25, you are well on your way to success.
With this physical also comes a drug and alcohol screening. Basically they want to make sure you aren't drunk during the physical or have done any drugs for the last 60 - 90 days. For those of you who enjoy mellowing out with a little bit of whacky tabacky once in a while, those drinks and pills at head shops will not work to falsify the results of this test (I'm talking from experience). So make sure that if you plan on going out to Alberta to work and change your life, make the little saccrifice of laying off the drugs for a couple of months. Well at least untill you pass the drug testing and start working. (With money comes happiness....)
Once accepted for an "Interview" ("can you spell your own name?") then you have to go for a pre-employment physical. This process wich has been adopted by most of the major companies in Alberta is a process that will certainly eliminate many "out-of-shape" applicants. It is not an easy process, basically you have to be able to "comfortably" lift 100lbs. If you want to practice for this physical, take 100 lbs in weights and do as many squats as you can each day. Once you are able to do at least 25, you are well on your way to success.
With this physical also comes a drug and alcohol screening. Basically they want to make sure you aren't drunk during the physical or have done any drugs for the last 60 - 90 days. For those of you who enjoy mellowing out with a little bit of whacky tabacky once in a while, those drinks and pills at head shops will not work to falsify the results of this test (I'm talking from experience). So make sure that if you plan on going out to Alberta to work and change your life, make the little saccrifice of laying off the drugs for a couple of months. Well at least untill you pass the drug testing and start working. (With money comes happiness....)
The basics for getting a Job in Alberta's Oilfield!
To begin, there are a few basic principles for out-of-province applicants. First of all, never tell them (potential Employer) that you are from either Ontario or Quebec. They seem to have this view of Ontarioins being Liberal pushing, Union supporting whyne asses, and as for Quebec, enough said. If you want success in applying, tell them you are either from the East Coast (Nova Scotia, P.E.I, New Brunswick or even New Foundland) or from Saskatoon.
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