Offshore Oil Drilling Labor

Natural oil and its by-products are perceived as valuable commodities across the world. Obtaining this high demand commodity from reservoirs where it has collected deep within the earth proves to be an inexact and demanding undertaking. Adding to the challenge of the oil drilling industry, no concrete methods have been discovered for accurately determining the location of oil deposits. The only way to know for certain if a location contains oil is to actually drill into the ground at the risk of a costly disappointment. What's more, offshore drilling facilities must reach into the depths of the earth underneath the floor of the ocean using specialized industrial equipment to extract oil. Nonetheless, successful offshore oil drilling operations are set up at the locations of producing reservoirs throughout the world.

Oil drilling operations originally took place only on land. Next shallow water drilling evolved, and eventually extensive equipment made offshore deep ocean drilling feasible. Since oil forms from the remains of ancient sea life under intense heat and pressure for millions of years, the ocean bottom is a desirable site for oil exploration. For marine oil and natural gas drilling, offshore oil platforms are set up in the ocean above the location that is to be drilled. Platforms can be anchored to the ocean floor, float on the surface or create an artificial island in the sea.

Laborers who work on offshore oil drilling rigs typically spend weeks at a time at sea living either on the platform or in a nearby anchored ship. Many oil platforms contain amenities similar to those in hotels such as a means of eating, places for sleeping and laundry facilities which allow workers to reside on the rig for extended periods of time. A schedule is typically arranged such that workers stay offshore and work with members of their team for a specified number of days, then return to shore for another specified number of days. For instance, a common schedule is for a worker to stay offshore for fourteen days, and then return home for fourteen to twenty one days at a time. Anyone considering employment on an offshore rig should assess his or her ability to meet the physical demands inherent to the job as well as whether a career with extended time away from home is a suitable lifestyle. Offshore oil jobs can facilitate lucrative careers for fitting individuals.

About the Author

About the Author: Bob Jent is the CEO of Western Pipeline Corporation. Western Pipeline Corp specializes in identifying, acquiring and developing existing, producing reserves on behalf of its individual clients.