Is oilfield services/equipment a good career path for you?
Is oilfield services/equipment a good career path for you? If you have ever considered this question, it’s important to know that it is one that you should give careful consideration to. Not only can this choice define what you will be doing with the next few years of your life, but it can also impact whether or not you succeed in your career path, as well as how financially successful you are in your endeavors.
What is oilfield services/Equipment?
Oilfield services (OFS) is the process of extracting petroleum-based oils and gas out of the ground by injecting water, solvents, or gases into reservoirs deep below the earth’s surface. Many industries that depend on liquid fuels depend on OFS to produce these hydrocarbons. This includes manufacturers and users of plastics, chemicals, asphalt paving products, synthetic rubber products, pesticides and cosmetics. Petroleum companies provide about half of all types of OFS worldwide.
Does oilfield services/equipment a good career fit your personality?
If this kind of job is the perfect fit for your personality, skillset, and experience, then the answer is yes. If not, read on to find out if this type of career might be good for you. What about these qualities?: You need to have strong math skills as well as mechanical knowledge and computer science proficiency. Additionally, you should also have good problem-solving abilities, patience, and an ability to multi-task. It’s important that you are willing to put in long hours as well. So, does it sound like oilfield services/equipment is the right choice for you?
Oilfield qualifications
Before we discuss if this is the best path for you, it is important to consider your background and what type of field you are looking to enter. The oil and gas industry has been growing steadily for the past decade and there are plenty of opportunities out there, but most people don’t realize that there are different levels and types of opportunities.
It’s not just about picking up a shovel or using heavy machinery; there are many other careers within this industry. The more experience you have, the better choice you’ll make when deciding on your next step.
Oilfield services jobs- Is oilfield services/equipment a good career path for you?
Oil field jobs are challenging and stressful, but they can also be lucrative. The work is never the same, so there’s an immense amount of variety to it. Plus, if you’re able to grow your skills and keep up with the latest technology, then it’s possible to move up the ranks and make more money over time. Oil field jobs require extreme physical strength as well as lots of technical knowledge about drilling wells and extracting resources from them.
- Director of operations
- Vessel manager
- Drilling engineer
- Oil tester
Average Salary In Oilfield Sevices/Equipment
The average salary can be between $28,000 and $45,000 with the cost of living at an around 100. However, this is not the only thing to consider when it comes to starting a business. Keep reading to find out more! When someone decides they want to start their own business, they have to think about what type of business they want.
They also need to know if they are ready to take on the risks that come with being self-employed. One way people decide what type of business they want is by using a SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis helps them identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as how their current skills match up with those needs for their desired career path.
Job Outlook In Oilfield Services/Equipment?
The job outlook within the Oilfield Services and Equipment industry is high with expected increases in employment over the next ten years. In recent years, there has been a general increase in activity, evidenced by increased development of both offshore projects and onshore shale deposits. Additionally, emerging international exploration markets will continue to be major drivers of demand.
Benefits of Working In Oilfield Services/Equipment
Oilfield services has become increasingly important in recent years, with the development of hydraulic fracturing. More and more jobs have been created and demand continues to grow, so this is an industry that’s set to stay on the upswing. There are also some great benefits as well –
Salaries are higher than average, hours are generally much better (no nights or weekends), it’s possible to work close to home, travel opportunities exist.
The downside, however, is that the industry isn’t typically open to people without experience. It can be difficult to find these positions without starting at the bottom of the ladder. One other thing to consider is the cost of equipment – if you’re considering getting into oilfield services but don’t want to spend money on expensive equipment up front, then working at a company may not be your best option.
Difficult Aspects Of Working In Oilfield Services/Equipment
The two most difficult aspects of working in the industry are the hours and risk.
- Work days can last 16 hours with days off every third week.
- There is always some amount of risk to driving on the job, going into an active well, or living at a temporary work camp
- What about money? Oilfield salaries vary depending on the company, type of job, and location. Depending on where you live this could be a more expensive lifestyle than one might expect from seasonal work.
Good Companies In The Oilfield Services/Equipment Industry
1. Schlumberger – Founded in 1926, this company specializes in managing technology used to produce hydrocarbons and other petrochemicals. They employ over 100,000 people across the world and serve over 85% of the Fortune 500 companies.
2. Halliburton – Operating since 1919, Halliburton is a multinational corporation that provides products and services to upstream (exploration) customers through their subsidiary companies in the energy industry. They are one of the largest petroleum product suppliers in North America with more than 48,000 employees worldwide providing onshore exploration and production solutions while also working on offshore drilling projects around the world.
3. Shell
4. ExxonMobil
5. Chevron
Does it make sense financially?
A career as an oilfield services/equipment professional does have its financial rewards, especially when the economy is strong. But there are other factors to consider before jumping into this line of work.
The type of work being done and the environment in which it’s done can affect pay rates. It could also affect your feelings about where to live and what type of lifestyle you’re looking for.
What are the long-term prospects like?
The long-term prospects are good depending on where your focus is. Companies need to diversify their products and get away from the once dominant business of drilling. The offshore industry has seen much growth due to new discoveries, but all players need to be agile and prepared for the future. It is important to understand that the oil industry is cyclical with ups and downs. Oil service providers must anticipate current and future needs of their clients while remaining competitive in an ever-changing market place.
How can you maximize your marketability in this field as an employee or employer?
Individuals who are interested in careers that deal with the extraction of hydrocarbons can find employment in many different types of industries, including: the mining industry, waste management, and water treatment.
If someone is considering employment opportunities with the mineral extraction industry they may be most interested in jobs that involve well drilling or petroleum engineering. If someone wants to work with waste management, such as equipment maintenance or hazardous material disposal; then an entry-level position would be more appropriate.
Conclusion:
Oilfield services and equipment is not always easy to get into as it requires expensive equipment and employees with special skills. However, this field provides many opportunities as the demand for resources continues to increase. If you are looking to get into the industry, consider working your way up from the bottom of the totem pole and seek internships in order to learn more about the industry before investing too much time and money.
