Pros and Cons of Working on an Oil Rig
Anyone who has ever been employed must know, no job in this world is deemed a dream job. There are pros and cons to every work opportunity. However, the pros and cons of working on an offshore oil rig are more noticeable as compared to any other job.
The long working shifts and extremely laborious work under any weather conditions might make working in an oil rig seem pretty daunting. However, an extremely good pay scale along with great exposure is something that makes the job seem pretty interesting.
In short, the benefits and drawbacks of working in an offshore oil rig aren’t something that can be measured definitely in order to categorize the job as bad or good. Hence, we have compiled this guide on the pros and cons of working on an oil rig in order to help you decide on your future prospects with ease.
Let’s get started!
Advantages of Working on an Offshore Oil Rig
There are multiple advantages of working on an offshore oil rig. A few prominent ones are listed below:
- High-paying Job
- Great Exposure and Training
- Extended Vacations
- Multiple Growth Opportunities
- Recurrent Chances of Travel
- Medical Insurance
1. High-paying Job
In the oil rig industry, the average annual salaries for even entry-level posts are $52,894. Furthermore, senior roles such as managerial positions and chief electricians generate as high an income as $88,291 annually.
Considering the working period of a year, most offshore oil rig workers tend to work 6-8 months; this makes the pay scale even more impressive. Working in an offshore oil rig is definitely among the high-paying jobs in Canada that can help you lead a good life.
2. Great Exposure and Training
As many oil companies tend to provide entry-level candidates with training and education, most entry-level positions don’t even require working experience. In addition to the training that you will receive on-site, all oil rig workers are required to finish comprehensive first-aid and safety training for their own benefit.
As your career and ranks grow you will get a chance to attend various conferences and meetings held all over the world regarding innovations and the latest technology in the oil rig industry.
Along with being a high-income job, working in an offshore oil rig provides you with countless opportunities to acquire skills and training that will eventually help you grow professionally at a rapid pace.
3. Extended Vacations
The working timetable of an offshore oil rig worker is rotational, with the rotations being of a varying degree from 7 to 28 days. For instance, a worker who opts for a 7/7 rotation gets to leave for 7 days after every 7 days of work. On the other hand, a worker who opts for a 14/14 or 28/28 rotation gets to leave for 14 and 28 days respectively for every 14 and 28 days that they work.
In this way working in an offshore oil rig qualifies as a quite rewarding job in terms of extended vacations.
4. Multiple Growth Opportunities
For an individual who has plenty of physical and mental potential, the growth prospects in the oil industry are ceaseless. Most workers begin their careers at an entry-level position such as painter, motorman, or maintenance officer and then they climb the ladder up to senior roles such as chief electrician and managerial positions within a few years.
The only road leading to success that knows no bounds in this industry is a dedication to work and polish your skills consistently.
5. Recurrent Chances of Travel
Working in an offshore oil rig provides you with recurrent chances of traveling. As you will be working in an oil rig located in a foreign land you can always sneak in a mini getaway while traveling back and forth to home on your extended leaves.
6. Medical Insurance
Getting complete medical insurance qualifies as one of the most pronounced benefits of working on an offshore oil rig. Most oil rig workers are given health insurance because the maintenance of physical health is a prerequisite for carrying out laborious work required by the oil industry in order to execute mass production.
The details of the medical insurance plan vary from company to company, however, in general, the medical insurance of an offshore oil rig worker covers dental, personal injury, and vision.
Disadvantages of Working on an Offshore Oil Rig
On the flip side, there are several disadvantages of working on an offshore oil rig, some of which are listed below.
- Extended Absence From Native Land
- Long Working Hours
- Safety and Health Hazards
- Work in Extreme Weather Conditions
1. Extended Absence From Native Land
If you are someone who can not stand staying away from home for at least 7-28 days, then this job isn’t for you. That being said, you can always choose to work on a land-based rig, however, the salary bracket for land-based rig workers is significantly less than offshore oil rig workers.
2. Long Working Hours
As the work on an offshore oil rig is limitless, most workers are required to work continuously for 12-hour shifts for straight 7-28 days depending on their rotation. Moreover, overtime is required in emergency circumstances or for certain projects.
In short, working on an offshore oil rig isn’t for the weak, this job requires excruciating labor which is only possible if one is enthusiastic enough.
3. Safety and Health Hazards
It is quite a known fact, working on an offshore oil rig is packed with health and safety hazards along with multiple dangerous actors that can potentially cost you your life if proper safety protocols are ignored.
The job isn’t only physically demanding but it can lead to injuries of a great extent such as muscle sprains, fractures, severe fatigue, and burns commonly caused by falls, machinery failure, chemical exposure, and even explosions.
The responsibility of eliminating and minimizing the danger factors involved in this job falls on RTSC. Note that, RTSC is the highest paying entry-level position for working on an offshore oil rig.
4. Work in Extreme Weather Conditions
No matter what the weather conditions are, offshore installation work never ceases. An offshore oil rig worker is expected to carry out physically demanding work whether it’s heavily raining, snowing, or the weather is extremely torrid.
Hence, if you are someone who can’t stand extreme weather conditions you might need to reconsider your decision and look for another line of work.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- What are the dangers of working on an oil rig?
Working on an oil rig is a job that comes with countless dangers such as severe injuries and accidents resulting from machinery failure, incompetent handling, and overlooking safety protocols. More prominent dangers of working on an offshore oil rig include muscle spasms, severe fatigue, and burns due to continuous chemical exposure.
2- Is working on an oil rig worth the money?
For a truly motivated and equally physically fit individual working on an offshore oil rig is definitely worth it in terms of money as well as opportunities to grow.
3- How long do you stay on an offshore oil rig?
Offshore oil rig workers stay on an offshore oil rig for a period of 6 months to one year. The duration of stay depends on the company, project type, and the contract signed by the worker.
4- Is working offshore risky?
Yes, working on an offshore oil rig comes with countless risks. In fact, this job is labeled as one of the most dangerous jobs out there.
5- What is the death rate of oil rig workers?
Over the last 2 decades, roughly 349 people have lost their lives while working on an offshore oil rig. However, due to technological advancements and proper safety guidelines, a sharp decline has been observed in the death rate of offshore oil rig workers.
Conclusion
This warps up our guide on the pros and cons of working on an oil rig. As you can see for yourself in this guide, the pros of working on an offshore oil rig clearly outweigh the cons given that you are a mentally and physically fit individual with a dedication to learn and grow. In case you have made up your mind to explore this line of work, start your job search right away.
You can always rely on Primus Workforce to browse countless job opportunities in the oil and gas sector that are updated on the site on a regular basis!
The Primus Workforce team is proudly built on hands-on industry knowledge and experience.