Offshore oil rigs are massive structures that drill for oil lying underneath the ocean floor.
Offshore drilling platforms are some of the largest man-made structures on earth. To extract large deposits of petroleum lying deep within the ocean floor, drillers, engineers, geologists and project managers must work together to accurately locate and funnel crude oil to the ocean's surface. The rigorous demands of off-shore drilling jobs and the seven-day-a-week schedule often require workers to live on oil rigs for weeks at a time.
Function
Offshore oil rigs are involved in the extraction and processing of petroleum or crude oil. Specialized crews comprised of geologists and engineers use sophisticated computer technology and extensive research to pinpoint large deposits of oil and gas. Project managers are assigned to supervise the platform's activities, while drillers run pipe in and out of wellheads to ensure the flow of oil from the ocean floor to the water's surface. Offshore oil rig employees are also responsible for running, maintaining and repairing machinery aboard the ship or platform.
Skills
Among the skills needed for offshore oil drilling jobs are good manual dexterity and basic math, reading and writing abilities. Drilling crew workers must be alert and have quick reflexes, since they work with powerful machinery that drills holes hundreds or even thousands of feet underwater. Engineers and project managers should be highly analytical and able to communicate complex instructions to different roles within their companies. For example, some engineers are responsible for putting together plans that forecast potential issues, as well as ensuring the accuracy of drilling operations. Geologists must be able to interpret seismic data and core samples to identify sites that hold sizable petroleum deposits.
Work Environment
Because the majority of their duties are conducted outside, offshore oil rig workers are sometimes exposed to extreme and unfavorable weather conditions. Long hours are common, as some rigs operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition to working on-site and working up to 12-hour shifts, offshore oil drilling workers are subject to a myriad of dangers, including toxic gases, hot liquid, smoke and heavy equipment. Other potential hazards include fires and explosions on the platform.
Average Salary
According to a December 2010 PayScale report, the average salary for a drilling rig project engineer was $72,867 per year. Oil well drillers made an average salary of $126,700 annually. The report also states that test hole drillers earned an annual wage of $47,166. Petroleum engineers reported an average salary of $78,250 per year.
Potential
Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) "Career Guide to Industries, 2010-11 Edition," mining jobs, including oil rig positions, will decline 14 percent through 2018. In addition to a volatile market for buying and selling raw materials, growing economies such as China will likely keep prices high during the 2008 to 2018 decade. Also, offshore development is expected to be limited due to environmental concerns over drilling and increased regulations governing the oil industry.
Tags: ocean floor, average salary, drilling jobs, large deposits, offshore drilling, Offshore rigs
