People often wonder if oilfield services and equipment are a good career path, and to know this, one has to have an informed understanding of the oilfield industry and everything it entails. This article will be providing you with the necessary information you need to know about the oilfield industry.
What Are Oilfield Services And Equipment
Many different types of businesses fall under the umbrella term oilfield services since they all play a role, one way or the other in the successful production of oil. Oilfield service companies employ staff that will operate the machines, run inspections and maintenance for any broken or worn-out parts, and generally keep operations going smoothly.
In recent years we have seen a dramatic increase in the advancement of technology in the oil industry, where human labor has become irrelevant in oil activities such as drilling holes or digging, measuring land elevations on large areas of land, or constructing roadways. Now it’s more capital intensive where people now operate machines to carry out the activities instead.
Workers in the oilfield service industry must be skilled enough to operate a vast variety of heavy equipment, including tractors, dump trucks, and their many attachments. These professionals must be proficient in reading blueprints and drawings to figure out how to utilize their available tools and machinery.
Is Oilfield Services And Equipment A Good Career Path?
Is Oilfield Services And Equipment A Good Career Path?
Yes! The Oilfield services/equipment is a great career path. The industry of oilfield services and equipment is ever-growing, as well as the number of job opportunities that comes with it.
The job market for oilfield services and equipment due to its prominence and dynamic nature is expected to rise by 12% in the next ten years meaning there will be so many job openings for individuals interested in working in the field. It comes with some benefits like pensions and group insurance.
The oilfield services and equipment industry provides jobs with great pay as well, whereas a worker in the field can earn about $15 to $30 per hour. Industrial workers such as laborers can earn about $15 to $25 per hour while technicians and managers can earn about $35 per hour. So a worker’s pay can vary depending on the jurisdiction and other criteria involved.
Workload Involved in Oilfield Services
The large majority of jobs in this field need the worker’s physical presence, whereas you may be required to relocate your household to the worksite, and if you have a family, they’ll move with you or you’ll be away from your family. You get to take on long shifts of 10-14 hours (7 AM to 7 PM). The traditional workweek for a tradesperson in an office or factory setting is five successive days of seven-to-eight-hour shifts, with the off days only on weekends.
It takes a lot of strength and stamina to work in an oilfield industry, In places like the oilfields of northern Alberta, it gets extremely cold during winter and scorching hot during summer. You may have to handle heavy-duty tasks that may require you to lift weights, so you might not have the time to warm up between tasks.
Examples of Oilfield Services And Equipment
In an oilfield workplace, there are equipment is essential for different drilling techniques and procedures, such equipment may include; Pump containment, Oilfield lighting, Drilling or Workover Rig Components, Pipe Racks, Solids and Well Control Equipment, Mud Vacuums, Various types of Pumps, Bit/Hose Houses, Premix Tanks, Drive Overs, Oilfield Trucks and Machinery, Flair Boxes and Flair Lines, Manifolds, Catch Tanks and other types of Containment.
Eligibility Requirements For a Job in Oilfield Services and Equipment.
Contractors in the oil industry are looking for employees that can measure up to their physical fitness requirements, if not surpass them. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to carry out the tasks but one should be aware of the requirements when it comes to physical inputs.
You may need a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and H2S Alive certifications to secure a job in the oil business. These classes are not encompassed under any employer or government agency, so you’ll have to save according if you desire a job in this area.
You should be a certified member of a structural trades association in your state or province and acquire a degree of training, that’ll help boost your status and eligibility to work on some projects and handle certain tools that others would not be able to.
And a degree in petroleum engineering is a great boost because most oil companies are looking for employees with a degree such as this.
Benefits of a Career in Oilfield Services and Equipment
Is oilfield services and equipment a good career path
There are benefits to a career in the oilfield services and equipment industry some of which includes;
Opportunity To Develop
There is a wide range of jobs one can choose from ranging from salesman to equipment operator to supervisor. There is room for one to change career paths and explore other areas in the industry. You are sure to always learn something new and advance your talent, knowledge, experience, and expertise. You can always apply for a job on their websites.
Favorable Schedule
The majority of companies in the oil industry have quite decent vacation policies although you’ll work long hours and weeks. You get half the year off if you are working for an offshore oil business, which is a bonus that is not common in most other sectors of the global economy. Oilfield employees may not have nights to spend at home, but when they do, they get lots of it to enjoy with the family.
Good Pay
High pay is another factor that attracts people to the oilfield industry, an employee can earn an average salary of $100,000 or more a year. An employee enjoys compensation over time when working long hours and it may increase with time.
Also, the majority of your costs while working are covered by your repaid expenses, day rate, and per stipend, leaving you with surplus money in the bank. Furthermore, when you also include standard employment benefits like health insurance, allowances, and some hazard fees, your income is rather terrific.
Travel Possibility
The oil and gas sector is certainly a worldwide business, you get the chance to explore the world while earning a living. You can do all that and more including working on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico or Experiencing Alaska’s 24 hours daylight. So due to the global availability of oil, regular travel is essential for a vast majority of positions in the oilfield services and equipment industry.
Downside Of a Career in Oilfield Services and Equipment
One of the major disadvantages of working in Oilfield Services and Equipment is having to be away from loved ones for some time, it is a common thing for workers/technicians to be assigned to locations of outlying camps where they can spend weeks without seeing another human being.
Some companies or establishments in the structural trades will also require their employees to be members of trade associations before they would employ them, which is a crucial barrier to entry for many people starting in the field.
Additionally, some companies providing oilfield services don’t capitalize on apprenticeship programs because they don’t see the value in them. And as such, many entry-level candidates in this sector need to gather experience and knowledge in a variety of related fields.
Job Outlook and Prospect in Oilfield Services And Equipment
There is a global need for oilfield services and equipment because there is a need for oil and gas in most nations and it constitutes most nations’ source of revenue, the sector has room for employment, and those who retire and are immediately replaced make room for more employment. Do not bother about finding work in the business, if you are ready to get your hands filthy; there are plenty of opportunities available for those with such a desire.
How Can I Get A Job in Oilfield Services and Equipment
If you’re looking for part-time employment or whether it is full-time employment in the oilfield services and equipment industry, there are several ways to go about with even with an entry-level employee.
First of all, you should sign up for the employment board of the oilfield services firm. Many companies publicize their open positions on websites, you can check out Indeed, Workaholics, Monster, and other online employment portals that provide information on job listings for oilfield services to help provide job opportunities for all diverse kinds of service providers.
Last but not least, steady reminders and encouragement to everyone you know to keep watch for job openings and share your CV with family and folks who work in the profession or might have one connection or the other, and attend job fairs in nearby schools with programs on oilfield services.
Average Salary of Jobs in Oilfield Services and Equipment
Earnings in this field might be anywhere from $23,500 to $155,500 per year across the country. Some regions may pay more than others for similar construction and manufacturing jobs because of differences in the demand and supply of workers in those regions.
The Companies in oilfield services and equipment will also furnish the necessary uniforms and protective gear, and also provide benefits packages, like group insurance and pensions which are offered by some bigger organizations but are not common practice among smaller businesses.
How Can I Advance in The Oilfield Services and Equipment
There are certain fundamental actions you may take to successfully enhance your career in the oilfield services industry:
- Acquire knowledge and skills by assisting and learning under a Seasoned professional in a high-ranking position with experience as an intern or an employee in a lower-level role.
- Keep your sight on your goals and maintain your concentration and motivation by studying everything as much as you can about the field.
- Get your résumé up to date, ready and accessible at all times, so that when a job opportunity arises, you’re ready to present it.
Best Paying Jobs In Oilfield Services and Equipment
Here are a list of seven best-paying jobs in Oilfield Services and Equipment
Lease-Purchase Operator
The role of Lease operators is to make sure that oil and gas transported from processing plants, drilling sites, and gas stations arrive safely and intact. They evaluate delivery trucks for loose fittings, cracks, separations corrosion, or any other issue that might arise as a result of the damage or loss of merchandise.
Educational prerequisite for the job includes a GED, High School Diploma, bachelor’s degree in a related discipline as well as additional training in mechanical systems. They earn an average salary of about $113,000 a year.
Vessel Manager
Their role is to supervise and ensure the safety of offshore drilling activities aboard oil and petroleum boats. They also manage drilling expeditions, train crew members, and work closely with safety inspectors and drilling engineers to assure that offshore drilling expeditions are carried out safely.
A prerequisite for this job may include a bachelor’s degree in nautical science or a similar discipline, as well as a training course on fleet management, which is another common educational degree. They earn an average salary of about $72,000 a year.
Director Of Operations
A director of operations supervises all of a company’s or business’s crucial responsibilities, such as marketing, budgeting, buying, sales, and negotiating. They create long-term operational plans to achieve the company’s goals.
Additionally, the role as a Director of operations will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or a similar discipline. They earn an average salary of about $86,000 a year.
Executive Account Manager
An Executive Account Manager’s role is to plan, organize, and direct account management activities.
Executive account managers also build and purchase target oil gas accounts, as well as sustain oil firms’ customer relationships.
Additionally, an Executive account manager should have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, sales, accounting, or a similar discipline. They earn an average salary of about $77,000 a year.
Safety Director
Safety directors create and enforce safety practices based on standards and programs established by their business or state. They also lower the risk of harm and accident on the site, they supervise activities to assure compliance with safety rules and requirements.
A prerequisite for this job as a safety director may include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. They earn an average salary of about $118,000 a year.
Chemical Engineers
Chemical engineers perform a variety of assessments and tests to guarantee that corporations engage the appropriate chemicals to convert crude oil and petroleum into useful material. They often collaborate with other field engineers and scientists to ensure the safe storage and transformation of raw materials into finished products like gasoline and fuel.
Furthermore, a Chemical Engineer is often required to have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related discipline. They earn an average salary of about $77,000 a year.
Drilling Engineer
The Drilling Engineer’s role is to plan and carry out natural gas and crude oil drilling processes. They supervise and govern the whole drilling procedure, from original design through testing and supervision of drill operations.
Drilling Engineers are often required to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant/related discipline and a state-issued certificate. They earn an average salary of about $94,000 per year.
Top Companies in Oilfield Services and Equipment
Here is a list of the top ten companies in the oilfield services and equipment industry ranked by revenue;
- SINOPEC (Chinese Petroleum and Chemicals Corporation): 2021 Revenue: $405.4 billion, 2021 Net Income: $10.54 billion, Ownership: State-owned, Nationality: China
- PETRO CHINA: 2021 Revenue: $386.86 billion, 2021 Net Income: $13.61 billion, Ownership: Joint Stock Limited, Nationality: China
- SAUDI ARAMCO: 2021 Revenue: $359.18 billion, 2021 Net Income: $110 billion, Ownership: State-Owned, Nationality: Saudi Arabia
- EXXON MOBIL: 2021 Revenue: $285.64 billion, 2021 Net Income: $23.04 billion, Ownership: Private Limited Company, Nationality: United States
- SHELL: 2021 Revenue: $272.657 billion, 2021 Net Income: $20.638 billion, Ownership: Public Limited Company, Nationality: UK-Netherlands
- TOTAL ENERGIES: 2021 Revenue: $184.634 billion, 2021 Net Income: $18.06 billion, Ownership: Public, Nationality: France
- BP: 2021 Revenue: $157.74 billion, 2021 Net Income: $7.57 billion, Ownership: Public, Nationality: UK
- CHEVRON CORPORATION: 2021 Revenue: $155.60 billion, 2021 Net Income: $15.6 billion, Ownership: Public, Nationality: American
- MARATHON PETROLEUM: 2021 Revenue: $120.93 billion, 2021 Net Income: $9.738 billion, Ownership: Public, Nationality: United States
- VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION: 2021 Revenue: $113.98 billion, 2021 Net Income: $930 million, Ownership: Public, Nationality: United States
Also read: How many jobs are available in specialty insurers?
Conclusion
So to the question “Is Oilfield Services and Equipment A Good Career Path?” The answer is Yes, It’s a good career path, so if you are looking into a career in oilfield services and equipment you are making a good choice, and in this article we have provided you with the necessary information on all you need to know and how to kick start your journey in this path where you work in a dynamic and fascinating sector with plenty of room for advancement.
