If you want to earn a sizeable income without having to obtain a college degree, working in the oil and gas industry might be a good fit for you. However, it’s tough work, and the job also requires you to live on an oil rig for months at a time.
Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic career opportunity if you want to work a manly job and make big bucks. With this in mind, here is what you should know about living on an oil rig.
You Won’t Be Able To Leave the Rig
Once you get onto the rig to start working, you won’t be able to leave unless there is an emergency. This is because oil rigs are often located in remote parts of the ocean.
The only way to reach an oil rig is by a 40- to 60-minute-long helicopter flight. Most rigs will have the crew work for two weeks and then take a two-week break, so you can look forward to reaching the shores around then.
You Might Work Long Hours
Since an oil rig operates around the clock, a standard shift is 12 hours long. During this shift, you will perform lots of hard labor. For this reason, you might want to invest in some jeans you can wear all day.
Since the job pays well, it also allows you to earn a great living in a relatively short amount of time. Still, since shifts are four hours longer than a typical 9 to 5 job, you will work 400 extra hours per year.
It’s Not as Bad as You Think
Working on an oil rig is challenging, but it’s not as bad as you may think. Many people wonder how oil and gas workers keep warm during the winter since they live in the middle of the ocean, but modern rigs are quite advanced and provide adequate heating.
Additionally, the living areas can be pretty fancy, though you do have to share your cabin and bathroom with two to three other people. You will develop a close bond with your coworkers, and there are often up to 200 people living on a rig at one time.
Modern oil rigs have movie theaters, game rooms, gyms, and other recreational facilities to keep crew members entertained. You get to live in a fun area without having to pay for it while earning a high income.
Overall, working on an oil rig can be an incredibly lucrative and rewarding experience if you put in the effort and the hours. After learning what you should know about living on an oil rig, what’s stopping you from getting a job as a roustabout today?