possibility of 1st time job on the rigs, as a female!

19lottie82

I have worked as a document controller for a company in the oil and gas industry, for the last 2 years, and prior t this I worked as an administrator for a HUGE engineering company for 4 years. I make a reasonable wage (23k), but as I own my own flat and car I always seem skint, and I’m fed up of it!

I’ve been keeping an eye out for overseas work for a while now and earlier in the week I applied for a job as a Technical Clerk, working offshore in Angola, on a 12 month contract, with a possible extension. The agency called me straight back and said that I seemed like an ideal candidate and they were very keen to get my CV to their client.
I should find out by the end of next week if I have an interview or not.

The money is amazing – My daily (net) wage would be what I would earn in a week here! It’s on a 28/28 rotation, though 2 of your travel days are incorporated in to your 28 “on” days.

Although I haven’t got the job yet (or even an interview), I’m starting to feel pretty scared, though an excited kind of scared!

I’ve just turned 30 and I am in a relationship at the moment. We’ve been together 2 years although we have been struggling slightly recently, although things are starting to get back on track now. Part of me thinks this could be a good thing, as it will tell us one way or another, if our relationship will last or not. If it doesn’t, at least I will know, but I will have some money in my back pocket to do whatever I want with. And if being apart cements our relationship, we will have money to start our long term future together.

Also, if I ever have kids, I’d like to tell them that I did something exciting rather than sat behind a desk all day, in rainy Scotland!

Also, obviously tho there’s the issue on the rigs for 14-26 days at a time (some of the time may be spent in the onshore office in Angola), especially as a woman (!) although I think I could handle it.
Plus I’m also thinking, what the heck would I do with my 28 days off?

Any advice / opinions?!

deedee71

In all honesty I think someone at the agency has ballsed up. There is no way anyone is going to let a woman go offshore or onshore in Angola. The extra security they would need for you just makes it a no go, not to mention your own room/facitlities.


Sorry to be so negative but I know lots of engineers, electricians etc who work in some scary places all over the world and I think this is a non-starter.

19lottie82

Well the company I work for (major oil and gas), regularly has female project managers etc on site in Angola. Apparantly it's nowhere near a big deal, as it was a few years ago. Times are "a-changin'", so to speak!

agrinnall

I presume from what you've said that you have contacts that would allow you to find out first hand what the situation is in Angola and whether being a woman is an issue - surely you would be better asking them than a random collection of strangers online who could tell you all sorts of rubbish, never having set foot in the country. If you don't know anyone I could PM you a name of someone who is currently spending quite a lot of time there, can't guarantee they would talk to you though.

If you have a question about the impact taking this job might have on your relationship than this isn't really the place for it, you'd be better in the Realationships board.

19lottie82

agrinnall wrote: »

I presume from what you've said that you have contacts that would allow you to find out first hand what the situation is in Angola and whether being a woman is an issue - surely you would be better asking them than a random collection of strangers online who could tell you all sorts of rubbish, never having set foot in the country. If you don't know anyone I could PM you a name of someone who is currently spending quite a lot of time there, can't guarantee they would talk to you though.

If you have a question about the impact taking this job might have on your relationship than this isn't really the place for it, you'd be better in the Realationships board.

Yes as I said, I work in O&G industry so have plenty of people I can talk to, was just wondering what experience MSE'ers had of rotational working?

But you're right - have reposted on the relationships board - thanks.

getmore4less

19lottie82 wrote: »

Yes as I said, I work in O&G industry so have plenty of people I can talk to, was just wondering what experience MSE'ers had of rotational working?

But you're right - have reposted on the relationships board - thanks.

The problem extends beyond the primary relationship.

Most people work so tend to have only weekends of so all social life is impacted.

You need to find things to do to fill the void, hobbies, part time job, travel.

Some use the opportunity to do international travel since there are airfares usualy included in the package.

The other thing to get advice on is tax.


When the money is so good as long as you don't get killed a year or two can set you up for life.

brutus1983

im jelous of you if you get on the rigs im an electrician and would love a start on the rigs but been told not bother shelling out for the compex and survival training as my cv wouldnt even get looked at as you have to have friends in the industry

you done the survival courses yet?

19lottie82

brutus1983 wrote: »

im jelous of you if you get on the rigs im an electrician and would love a start on the rigs but been told not bother shelling out for the compex and survival training as my cv wouldnt even get looked at as you have to have friends in the industry

you done the survival courses yet?

Nope not yet, I know it's the norm to get it before u start applying for offshore jobs but with this one you wait until you get a job offer then you do the course. I think it's because the job is more of an "onshore" type role so not a lot of candidates come with the required certs. The employer is BP.

As I said, won't hear for a week or so about an interview - so fingers crossed!

19lottie82

getmore4less wrote: »

The problem extends beyond the primary relationship.

Most people work so tend to have only weekends of so all social life is impacted.

You need to find things to do to fill the void, hobbies, part time job, travel.

Some use the opportunity to do international travel since there are airfares usualy included in the package.

The other thing to get advice on is tax.


When the money is so good as long as you don't get killed a year or two can set you up for life.

I think I would get really bored doing nothing for 28 days so would look into volunteering 15 hours a week or something when I was back. I already do some fundraising for a children's hospice charity and they have an office that are always looking for admin volunteers so that would be ideal.

I've spoke to my OH and he runs his own business so the plan would be he would, bust a gut while I was away so he could take more time off when I'm home.

The day rate I have been quoted is net ( ie after tax) but will defo be asking more about that inc student loan payments, should my application reach that stage.

Cheers :-)

getmore4less

Can you do stuff for the OH, (allthough work/relationships are not allways compatible)

Might give a longer term options if the business has potential and is scalable

19lottie82

getmore4less wrote: »

Can you do stuff for the OH, (allthough work/relationships are not allways compatible)

Might give a longer term options if the business has potential and is scalable

Possibly, prob not enough to keep my fully occupied tho. He has a small garage and his nephew runs the admin side of it, I'm sure I could help out now and again tho. The charity that I have mentioned are very close to my hert tho so would defo want to devote some of my free time to them!