field jobs

[GunClinger]

Gabe/admin: this post has no direct connection to the warrior caste. It is posted on the basis of the generalization about "...looking for a few good men" in the sub-forum description. If inappropriate, my apologies in advance.

I've recently been offered partial ownership in a company that provides geologic services to oil companies. They were pleased enough with the results of some contract work I did with them to propose my coming on board, and they would like me to recruit and train quickly to facilitate rapidly expanding operations. So there may be an opportunity that some of you here might find interesting. I would consider a contact from posters on this forum much the same as a referral from a reliable acquaintance, thus this post here.

The good:

pays very well (for most, >six figures)
said earnings accompanied by about 4 mo/yr time off, generally in week-long chunks
you get paid full wages instead of standby when something on the rig breaks down and you have no work to do while it gets fixed (sometimes for days)
Not a desk job -- you usually move between computers, lab, and rig floor several times per hour
Unlike most oil rigs, these are 2A-friendlyThe bad/ugly (for some):
field position -- you live in and work out of a skid-shack (your own camper is an option) on a noisy, filthy oil rig, 24/7
you commit to a well from start to finish (5-15 days, in general)
being a one-man team on a round-the-clock operation means you will rarely get a full night's sleep while on the rig [I find one 4-hr block and a couple naps to be manageable]
you work in North Dakota: most folks find it boring, cell-service is undependable even with a booster, and internet access is only via satellite (and thus goes out with the weather); don't plan on staying in touch with anyone
you have to go outside in North Dakota in the wintertime (many folks compare it to the arctic)
there are unavoidable hazards/risks associated with any oil rig
you will be required to think/interpret data/draw conclusions based on insufficient information -- not a mindless job (I view this as a +)
housing in ND is nearly impossible to find because of the oil boom, and most hotels are booked out over a year in advance; I know of field geologists who commute here from New Hampshire and Great Brittan.
the oilfield industry is inherently volatile -- if the price-per-barrel tanks, we'll all be looking for work or living off savings/alternate income sources until it comes up again. I view this as a fantastic short-term solution to my recent dire straits, but was not counting on it as a life-long career until offered partnership in this company.
I'm sure I missed some other terrible thing that should be on the list of negatives...Not accepting applications at this point, but may be at that point very shortly. Just wanted to throw this out there for advance consideration by anyone undeterred by the negatives. I wouldn't walk away from a good job for this, but for the right people (like me) it can be a great opportunity. You should understand the differences between shale/limestone/dolomite/anhydrite and have solid basic computer skills. That's a rough litmus test for the very low level of geologic competence the job requires. I'll update here shortly if/when this goes as planned.

[NoBucks]

Any jobs there for EMT's? I noticed that offshore rigs often have openings for EMT slots. Is that also the case onshore?

[GunClinger]

Any jobs there for EMT's? I noticed that offshore rigs often have openings for EMT slots. Is that also the case onshore?

I've never seen one dedicated to a rig, but my guess is that some of the surrounding communities in the western half of ND would have openings. The oil boom has sucked workers out of every other industry to such an extent that just about everyone who employs anyone for anything has a hard time keeping positions filled. When even short-haul truck drivers can make 100k and still eat dinner at home with their families, a lot of residents here don't see much reason to work anywhere but in an oil-related job.

[TennDECA]

I would imagine that EMT/Medic slots onshore are rare because of the availability of local EMS services (even if you're out in the boonies). Off-shore has no such resources and therefore must have medical support onsite/on staff.

[NoBucks]

That makes sense to me. Thanks.

[sam3]

thanks for the heads up. ten months into retirement after 22 years of l.e. is getting a tad boring sitting around the house. improving my geology knowledge is giving me something different to do already.

[KentuckyRifle]

Thanks for the post, I am pretty interested in this. I live in Wyoming and I sure know what the arctic winters feel like. I actually submitted an application for a somewhat similar job last week, this seems like a good field to be in right now.

Should we just keep an eye on this thread for updates or PM you? I have several questions about the job.

[bmp_sbi]

I own half of Mechanical Engineering Consulting firm. We are licensed in about 14 states. As of right now we are not licensed in the Dakotas but I would think there would be no trouble attaining licensure.
We handle process, structural as well Asme piping and pressure vessel work for the chemical industry and boiler manufacturers. We have two mechanical PEs on staff and one process engineer. If you ever need drawings or designs certified by a professional engineer we would love the opportunity to quote our services.

PM me if interested. We can work for long or short periods of time handling field service type situations and when the job is over we leave. You pay flat fees based on a rate sheet.
We also handle hvac, plumbing, electrical and structural designs for commercial and industrial buildings including drainage, potable water, hot water systems, natural gas piping, fresh air makeup, exhausts systems..etc.

[GunClinger]

I'm getting lined up for a trip to consult and look over this company's operations in TX for a few weeks. So ramping things up in ND will not be on the agenda for that time period.

I'll try to respond to those of you who have PM'd before I go. There are assistant field-geologist (mudlogger) positions open all over western ND, and I know decent folks who would hire some of you on short notice, even for temporary commitments. May be a useful way for non-geologists to get familiar with/qualified for part of the skillsets I'll be looking for in the meantime. PM for referrals. Those positions generally pay about $6k/mo. It is not unheard-of for such workers not from adjoining states (and not wanting time off) to solve the housing shortage by jumping from rig-to-rig for a month or two at a time.

[CADFather]

I own half of Mechanical Engineering Consulting firm. We are licensed in about 14 states. As of right now we are not licensed in the Dakotas but I would think there would be no trouble attaining licensure.
We handle process, structural as well Asme piping and pressure vessel work for the chemical industry and boiler manufacturers. We have two mechanical PEs on staff and one process engineer. If you ever need drawings or designs certified by a professional engineer we would love the opportunity to quote our services.

PM me if interested. We can work for long or short periods of time handling field service type situations and when the job is over we leave. You pay flat fees based on a rate sheet.
We also handle hvac, plumbing, electrical and structural designs for commercial and industrial buildings including drainage, potable water, hot water systems, natural gas piping, fresh air makeup, exhausts systems..etc.

BMP_SMI, I sent you a PM, I'm looking for work and am also in Tennessee, down around Chattanooga, N. GA. CAD

[GunClinger]

Time for an update: this is on hold. My assessment is that this company will not realistically be able to expand their operations here as quickly as they were hoping. Springtime seems realistic to me, so I am continuing with my consulting work until then and they are going to try and prove me wrong, which would be great. What was posted and PM'd about other outfits hiring mudloggers (assistant field geologists) still holds; I personally do not expect to do so for the winter. Feel free to PM or post with inquiries about that.

As an aside, there is a film crew on one of our rigs for the last couple days, working on a teaser/trailer to run by their producers in anticipation of a reality series similar to Black Gold. This outfit promises not to stage drama, create hazards, or ask to stack our crew with models and actors like that production did. I declined to work on this well precisely to avoid the filming. Perhaps when I see they've handled the trailer the way they promise to I'll reconsider for the rest of the filming. But I really don't want my face on TV, especially not in a soap opera like Black Gold. Maybe if it comes out more like a documentary.

[jamgusmc]

So with no experience and no knowledge of what is needed, what are the chances of getting into this field of work? What are the requirements?

[GunClinger]

So with no experience and no knowledge of what is needed, what are the chances of getting into this field of work? What are the requirements?

Entry-level (mudlogging) positions, which are all I can provide hiring-contacts for right now, are realistic for anyone. The folks I know who commute here from as far away as you, though, are qualified field geologists. Denver is as far away as I know of an inexperienced entry-level new hire being paid to commute from. I've had experienced assistants fly or drive in from as far away as Texas and Mississippi, but I don't know if someone w/o experience from that far away who wanted to hire-on with a paid commute would get laughed at or not. My sense is that companies in this Bakken oil play are desperate enough that they wouldn't bat an eye at the thought of paying for your commute. Of course if you're willing to move closer, that would make you a more attractive option for them.

Personally, I'm happy when I get sent an assistant who has nothing more than basic dish-washing skills (as long as that 'nothing-more-than' also applies to a basic suite of employee-from-hell workplace vices). I'm serious. Catch my samples, wash and dry them in a timely manner so I can get some sleep. Wake me up if/when the engineer needs geologic input on your shift. I don't think I'm the only geologist up here who would consider someone who provided nothing more than that to be a good assistant to start with.

Show that you can also be trusted with numerical data entry without leaving fat-finger mistakes, that you know or will get competent with basic trigonometry functions, that you know or can learn how to write technical descriptions of rock cuttings under a microscope (takes about a week for someone of average intelligence), that you can juggle about a half-dozen different series of data that need to be monitored, recorded, and responded to every 15 minutes or so, and you will find most geologists will start training you with the rest of what you need to get promoted to their position and at least double your wages. Takes most guys only a little over a year to go from 'mudlogger' to 'geologist', even if they have no previous training in geology. With a long-rusted geology degree, zero oilfield experience, above-average book smarts, and the motivation of a flat-broke family-man's desperation, I set my company's record and did it in a couple months. The demand for reliable personnel here in ND is much higher than offshore or in other basins, so the compensation-to-qualification ratio here is clearly much higher than elsewhere.

I've provided hiring contacts and training material to other guys who PM'd, so they could demonstrate a grasp of basic matters that will allow them to shine if/when they apply/interview up here. PM me an email address if you want the same. Ditto for anyone else. Some of you guys have expressed interest in working for me but not for other companies: now that I won't be hiring immediately, if you want other contact info be sure to PM with the specific request for that.

[JHawk]

GunClinger - I want to personally thank you for the detailed information you are providing to your brothers here on WT. In this economy its tough for many and you are providing information along with the compass for someone to get a good start in an interesting field with a chance for advancement. Prayers out to you for your personal ministry in helping those who want to help themselves.