Rigs

Semi-submersible Drilling Rig
This type of rig is more like a ship than a Jack-up. It's main design principle is built along the lines of a ship. A drilling package is basically built on top of a barge consisting of 6-8 cylindrical legs, with pontoons at the base to aid in the moving of the rig.Ballast tanks are incorporated into the base of the legs and pontoons and are filled with water to 'semi-submerge' the platform to provide stability during drilling operations. In addition to this, Dynamic Positioning or maybe up to 8 anchors would be used to ensure the position of the rig does not alter during drilling operations. When the rig needs to be moved, the anchors are heaved in and the ballast tanks are emptied of water which raised the rig out of the water so that almost the whole rig can be seen.Tug boats or supply vessels are usually attached to move the rig to it's next location, though some of the bigger semi-submersible drilling rigs can move under their own steam with the aid of thrusters and GPS. Once on it's new location, the ballast tanks would be filled with water to 'semi-submerge' the rig into the sea, and the DP would be engaged or anchors set to ensure the rig does not move off location.An oil company, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP etc would hire a drilling rig like this to drill exploratory wells in deeper water to find oil or gas before constructing a production platform on the site after confirming the existence of commercially viable resources.

Jack-up Drilling Rig

This type of rig is basically a hull, usually triangular, supported by 3 legs with a drilling package on top.The legs pass through the hull of the rig and are 'jacked' up and down using very large motors.When the rig is on location the bottom of the legs are touching the seabed. When the rig needs to be moved, the legs are jacked up.Initially, this just causes the hull to move down the legs towards the water. When the hull reaches the water however it floats and the motors then start to raise the legs off the seabed, very slowly and up through the hull and into the air.Tugs are then attached to the rig and it is towed to it's new location. When on it's new location, the legs are jacked down towards the seabed again.Once they touch the seabed and settle the jacking action then starts to raise the hull out of the water and up the legs. Once a safe distance has been achieved between the base of the hull and the water, around 60-70' the rig is stabilised by taking on tons of water into 'preload' tanks and the rig is allowed to settle for a day to maximise stability. Drilling operations may then resume.An oil company, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP etc would hire a drilling rig like this to drill exploratory wells in relatively shallow water to find oil or gas before constructing a production platform on the site after confirming the existence of commercially viable resources.

Drillship

This type of drilling unit is more in line with a conventional ship than any of the others. Designed around the normal hull of a ship, complete with bridge etc, a drilling package is built into the ship, as can be seen by the tall drilling derrick on the Transocean's Discoverer Spirit left, along with all the associated additional equipment, pump rooms etc below decks within the hull.Much more versatile than a Jack-Up or Semi-Sub when it comes to moving to a new location, it retrieves it's own anchors and moves to it's next location under it's own steam, just as a traditional ship.It carries the same drilling crews as a Jack-Up or Semi-Submersible but because it moves around unaided, it carries a larger contingent of traditional marine crew also. Many of the newer built drillships are designed to carry out drilling operations in ultra-deep waters where even most Semi-Submersibles can not drill. These drillships are aided by Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems which use satellites orbiting the earth to fix their position on the sea to within a tiny margin.

Platform

An oil company, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP etc will do geological surveys using specialist vessels to way up the chances of certain areas of seabed containing reservoirs of oil or gas. If the results are favourable, they will hire a Jack-Up or a Semi-Submersible drilling rig, or possibly a drillship to drill some exploration wells. If these wells prove fruitful, the oil company will develop the field with the drilling unit before constructing and placing on site a production platform, or if the reserves are marginal, an FPSO might be used.The platform or FPSO will pump the oil out of the ground into a pipeline to shore, or as is sometimes the case to an 'export' tanker directly which then takes the oil to it's final destination. There are several different types of platform as technology has advanced so rapidly over the years.The Jade platform seen above is a more conventional production platform placed on top of a steel structure (the 'jacket') which is permanently secured deep into the seabed. There is no way it can ever be moved once it is set in place, short of blasting it with dynamite. The main differences between a drilling rig and a production platform are the fact that drilling rigs move from one location to another and float on the surface of the water, while a production platform does not and also the large flare boom present on production platforms which vents off excess gas from the production wells.

FPSO

Traditionally, oil fields have been produced by building a platform on the site after appraisal drilling operations had been carried out.However, advancements in technology has meant that smaller oil fields, where it would not have been economically viable to build a platform, are now able to be developed by the use of a cheaper option, a Floating Production Storage & Offloading vessel, or FPSO for short. The Zafiro Producer, above, is just this type of vessel.Originally a 270,000 ton oil tanker called the M.T. Swift, built in 1973, it was converted to an FPSO and arrived in it's present location offshore Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 1996. It was originally intended for around a 5 year life in the Zafiro field. But more oil discoveries in the field have meant the estimated field life is around 15 years. A life enhancement program was undertaken to improve the FPSO still further and as can be seen in the picture in the oil rig photo gallery, there is now another tanker sited nose-nose with the Zafiro Producer, the Harrier.The Zafiro Producer is now the production part of this partnership and pumps the oil into the hull of the Harrier. The Harrier was replaced by the Magnolia storage unit, another oil tanker on 26th August 2000. The Zafiro Producer is connected to subsea oil wells and pumps the oil out of the ground directly to the hull of the Magnolia.When the hull of the Magnolia is full, it pumps the oil through a hose into another tanker via a Single Point Mooring buoy located approximately 1 mile away. You can see the hose in the picture above floating on the sea surface. FPSOs are a very versatile offshore installation. At the end of a life for an oil field, these vessels are designed to enable them to move to another location and start work on pumping another oilfield dry over a period of years.

DSV

Dive Support Vessels (or DSV's) are just one of a number of many types of support vessels used in the offshore industry. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are in the form of a conventional ship, like the 'Normand Carrier' pictured on this page or they can be similar in looks, and often mistaken for, a Semi-Sub drilling rig. The hull of these vessels is basically the same as a 'semi' but they wouldn't have the drilling package, derrick etc, onboard. DSV's are used quite extensively within the oil industry to assist with subsea work on pipelines, wellheads, platform maintenance etc.They will have decompression chambers, diving bells etc and a lot of them also carry Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) which are controlled from the deck of the ship and have the benefit of being able to carry out work in the water without the need for any divers to be in the water. Even with today's technology though, some jobs can still only be carried out by the human hand. Other types of support vessels include supply boats, tugs for towing rigs, pipelaying ships and barges and many other specialist vessels.

Oil Drilling Rigs

Getting down to the basics, there are several types of offshore oil rigs designed to work in a variety of locations, on certain kinds of wells, and differing environments:

1.Jackups are moveable drilling structures with bottom supports. Jackups have open-truss or columnar legs in support of their main deck or hull area.

2.Platforms cannot be moved like Jackups. They are immobile. Platforms are typically made from steel or cement and are used to drill new development wells.

3.Semisubmersibles drilling units, or Floaters, stay afloat offshore on giant pontoons or hollow columns. When filled with water, the pontoons or columns will partially submerge the unit to a desired depth. Floaters are reliable in rough seas and most frequently used for drilling new wells (Wildcat Wells).

What exactly is a drilling rig? Most rigs rely on several primary systems to get the job done:

1.A hoisting System, often referred to as the derrick or drawworks.
2.A drive group comprised of motors, chains and compounds.
3.A circulating system of pumps, a kelly, drill string, return lines, and pits.
4.Well control equipment

Wells are drilled for a variety of purposes. When a new well is drilled in an effort to find new reservoirs it's called an exploratory well. There are also development wells, which go into already proven oil fields and are designed to maximize oil production from that field.The most common drilling technique is rotary drilling. It is a method whereby a rotating drill bit is forced downward into the earth to make a hole or wellbore. The drill bit is connected to and rotated by a drill stem, which also provides a passageway through which the drilling fluid (mud usually) is circulated.

A petroleum engineer or expert in the field of drilling could write volumes on the topic of drilling. We've talked about the types of rigs, wells, and told you that the most common type of drilling is done by rotary drills. Here's some information about the way wells are drilled. It's not always a case of 'straight down.'When you hear that a well will be drilled conventionally, it means the well will be drilled straight down vertically to the oil.

Conventional drilling doesn't always yield the best results. Oftentimes the driller will go down vertically and then make a sharp horizontal turn. Special drill bits are required for this to work. Sometimes the there will be two wellbores drilled, one over the other in fairly close proximity. Steam will be injected from above into the overhead hole which forces oil down into the lower hole facilitating easier extraction.

Slant or directional drilling is when the bit goes down at an angle. We hear about this technique more and more due to environmental concerns. Lets say the oil is in a sensitive area. You could build your rig on a less sensitive area and drill at an angle until you're underneath that sensitive area. You get the oil without disturbing the environment so much. Multiple angled holes may be drilled from one rig to maximize production from the reservoir. With the type of equipment and technology available today, directional drilling is very precise.

Offshore Tips

Don't upset the Radio Operator, Medic or Chef! Helicopters, medical treatment and food are most important to an offshore worker, not necessarily in that order!

But seriously, as you get your first few trips under your belt you will have your preferences of what you like to take with you.

Some people take laptop computers, however because bags can get rough treatment sometimes this is not a recommended item to bring. Many rigs have their own computers for recreational use. Others take packets of sweets, books, newspapers, magazines etc.

There are more important things to bring, like your personnel protective equipment (PPE). However, if directly employed by the rig's owners, you are likely to be supplied with this when you get to the rig. You should also bring separate work clothes worn under your boiler suit as they are washed every day, shoes to wear when you are going for your mid shift meal and clothes and shoes (most wear trainers or flip-flops) to wear off shift.

It is mandatory to take your passport and advisable to take a copy of your offshore survival certificate and your approved medical certificate.Some rigs do not get regular papers, so take a paper or two out with you every trip, but especially your first. Take three, as you will instantly make three friends. Keep one for your direct boss. Nobody will look down on you for this and it will not be seen as crawling or favouritism, as everyone on the rig will eventually see the papers as they get passed around.

A common payment for favours done or to say thank you is to buy a 'can of coke and a mars bar', rig-code for any bar of chocolate and any can of soft drink. If you want promotion, keep moving at all times. A steady pace all day. If you have time for a slack period, grab a tool or something and walk with it. Don't stand about talking with nothing in your hands. Every piece of lifting equipment has a colour code on it, this shows it was tested as safe to use at the last lifting equipment check. Only items with the current colour code should be used.

To Bring Or Not To Bring?

What NOT to BringThe following is only a guide. It is not a comprehensive list.
Lighters
Matches (Safety matches will be provided in smoking areas)
Alcohol
Illegal drugs
Weapons of any description, including knives
Flammable items
Remove batteries from electrical equipment before checking in your baggage.
Your mobile phone may be taken from you before you board the helicopter.

Life Offshore

When you get an offer of employment your thoughts will turn to what it is going to be like working in what will be a very strange environment for most people. From your first trip away life will change dramatically. Not only will your starting salary be on par with middle management onshore, but you will also be living in your place of work, completely surrounded by sea, with no sight of land.You will also have to put up with questions and comments from friends and relatives like "Is it really like the Roughnecks program on the TV?"....."I bet the food's good out there isn't it?"....."Why aren't you driving a brand new car?"......that sort of thing.The industry has an above average staff turnover due in part to people being unable to adjust to the lifestyle. Don't get the wrong idea, working offshore is not as daunting or arduous as some think it must be, conditions have improved dramatically and are continuing to do so. Those working offshore are exactly the same people as work in any heavy industry. They would not be there if they did not enjoy it to a certain degree.

However statistics show that many people leave their job before doing three 'trips' offshore. This is a mistake for a lot of people because it really does take longer to adjust. Having said that, some personalities are just not suited to the environment. If on a rig with a high British contingent onboard you will likely be working with a lot of ex-forces personnel and city boys. You will certainly need a thick skin to put up with a lot of the 'banter' that goes on. Most of it is good natured though and any attempt at intimidation is usually stamped out immediately.On arrival at the rig you will be issued with safety boots, hard hat, safety glasses and coveralls. You will then be given a guided tour of the whole installation. Alarms, drills and muster points among other things will be explained to you.A positive attitude will make life offshore much more enjoyable and may increase your chances of promotion. Keep focused on why it is that you are working out there and the plus points of the job. Everyone has different reasons and goals that bring them to the offshore industry.You will work a twelve-hour day with a break in the morning, lunchtime and afternoon. 'Tea Shacks' or 'Smoko Shacks' are at various places throughout the rig and at designated times filled rolls or cakes etc. are provided.For your lunch you will take off work gear and go into the galley. The food is usually good quality with a wide selection at every mealtime. The catering crews on some rigs organize theme nights with Chinese or Mexican food making up the majority of choices on the menu.

Offshore installations operate 24 hours a day, so depending on your job you may have to do night shift. With some jobs you may have to do a combination of days and nights. There are different systems used usually dependant on helicopter arrival times and company policies. Often you will start your 'trip' on day shift and then move to night shift half way. For example if you do two weeks on-two weeks off, you may do a week of days and a week of nights.Off shift facilities vary from rig to rig.

Today most rigs have a 'cinema' with large screen TV showing satellite TV and a selection of videos or DVDs, which are updated every fortnight, most also have TVs in every room. Many have excellent gym and sauna equipment. Others have table tennis, computers with Internet links and computer game consoles. Pool and snooker tables are also very common, though not on the semi-subs .

Offshore Platforms

Offshore Oil Platforms

Offshore oil wells handle the task of recovering crude oil reserves from lake beds and ocean floors alike. The world's first offshore oil
rig was built in 1869, the same year that designer T.F. Rowland patented his offshore rig design. Rowland's concept resembles modern offshore drills, but his designs were used only in shallow waters. Developments in offshore technology wouldn't allow for deep sea drilling until after World War II. In 1947, deep water drilling began in the Gulf of Mexico, which remains one of the primary offshore sites today. On a global scale, there are 971 total offshore rigs comprised of 676 mobile rigs and 295 permanent platforms.
Offshore oil drilling is a successful enterprise, with a variety of oil rig jobs including driller, shakerhand, toolpusher, floormen, ballast controlman, barge engineer or rig welder. Offshore oil wells are sometimes the only crude oil production that a country has. The wells off the coast of northeast Australia's Barents Sea provides the country with nearly 90% of its total petroleum supply. Offshore oil rigs account for 25% of the United States natural gas reserves and 24% of its oil production. Estimates say that on average over the last several years almost 100 wells a year in the Barents Sea have been discovered. This leaves Australia's northern coast as a fertile front for oil extraction. The area could see an explosion of offshore rigs in the near future. Technology has enhanced offshore drilling, as depths of 2 miles can now be reached, drilled and mined. This is welcome news when considering that shallow water reserves are slowly being depleted.
Another offshore are poised for economic explosion are the Campos and Santos Basin that are located off the southeastern coast of Brazil. The Santos Basin is a relative newcomer that was discovered in October 2007. Experts differ over how much reserve is located here, but they can all agree that it is a substantial amount. The Santos Basin currently has less than 100 oil wells, but they present great challenges as some of the wells are located at depths of up to 2,140 meters. The Campos Basin, by contrast, is established and accounts for 80% of Brazil's total oil production at 1.8 million barrels per day through 1,130 total wells.

Offshore Drilling Platforms

For offshore drilling, it is crucial to construct a platform to maximize the drills' extraction, while at the same time ensuring the safety of the
workers by compensating for the water's natural movement. When the drills are in operation, there is a subsea drilling template that connects the underwater well to the floating platform. The subsea template is floated to the sea floor from the platform where it digs a small hole in the ground to "bury" itself into the seafloor. It remains connected to the platform through several elastic cables, which allow the drilling platform to sway while the subsea template remains anchored. Another component of offshore rigs is the blowout preventer, which is basically a large valve on the offshore rig that prevents oil from spilling out of the drill and mixing with water. The blowout preventer is operated by a blowout specialist. The piece called the "marine riser" extends from above the blowout preventer onto the floating platform. The marine riser is the center piece in a closed circuit system that acts as the transport for liquid from the sea floor onto the drilling vessel. Inside the preventer is the drillbit and drillstring. It is essential that the preventer be strong, yet flexible enough to adjust to the drill platform's movement.
Like onshore drilling, offshore drilling employs rotary drilling as its primary means to unearth crude oil. Rotary drilling is not much different that drilling that you would do around your house, it is only conducted on a larger scale. The idea is to cut into the earth using Steel Tooth Rotary Bits or diamond studded drill bits to reach the reserve. Once the reserve has been drilled, the product can be removed and sent to the refinery for processing.Advances in drilling and production technology have increased the possibility that offshore platforms can be controlled from an onshore location. Including a function to control the automatic shutoff that will minimize pollutio

Oil Driller Job

Most oil rigs have either 2 or 3 crews made up of several people doing different types of jobs. Generally, the driller supervises each of the crews while he under the supervision of rig manager or toolpusher. The Driller's responsibilities are in some ways comparable to that of a rig manager: get the work done safely, efficiently, and within the scope of government and company regulations.

To be successful a driller should possess excellent organizational skills, be a good communicator and listener, be able to work quickly while keeping an eye on detail, work well with others.
In addition to supervising a crew you'll find the Driller operating the oil rig's drilling and hoisting equipment, managing the rig floor, driller's console which includes brakes, monitors, throttles, clutches and many gauges. The readings and feedback obtained from the console enable the driller to make adjustments whenever necessary.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the driller's overall responsibilities:

Monitor oil rig crew members to ensure they can competently perform the work and are following company policies.Enforce rules about wearing proper work attire including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Hold regular safety meetings and make sure crew members are taking them seriously.Conduct drills, such as blowout prevention (BOP) drills.Check equipment on a regular basis and record in a log. Testing the crew's knowledge and understanding of the importance of these meetings, checks and drills.Orient new staff as they come on board. Complete required documentation found in personnel files, for equipment checks, file permits, etc.

Again, like the rig manager, drillers may need to obtain a variety of certifications in order to do an effective job. Furthermore, having the training and certificates help enable upward mobility into higher paying jobs with more responsibilities. Some things to consider are first aid training, various types of specialized safety training (fall protection, handling hazardous materials, high angle rescues).

Salaries vary by experience and training, and are generally a set day rate plus living allowance. Rotary drill operators earn about $44,000 per year.

Offshore Oil Rig Jobs

While many of the offshore oil rig jobs are physical in nature, many of the rig companies go out of their way to make sure your time spent onboard is an enjoyable one. For instance employees may find themselves living in accommodation wings that meet 4 or 5 star hotel standards - despite the fact that you a living in the middle of the ocean. While you are on board the company will usually meet all food, board and laundry expenses, along with travel and transfer costs.

There are a large number of offshore oil rig jobs that are available. The range of employment opportunities include:

Driller, Derrickman, Shakerhand or Mudman, Toolpusher, Floormen or Roughnecks, Motorman, Assistant Driller, Crane Operator, Roustabouts, Cleaner/Painter, Storekeeper, Mechanic/Electrician, Sub Sea Engineer, Rig Mechanic, Rig Electrician, Rig Welder, Barge Engineer, Ballast Controlman or Watchstander, Captain and Chief Engineer, Rig Medic and Safety Man.

Most offshore oil rig jobs call for a 14/21 day rotation that means you work for 14 days and have 21 off. This equates to you having approximately 3/5 of the year off on holiday.

In the offshore oil rig industry, there are opportunities for drilling employment and travel to countries such as: Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, the United States, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Norway, China, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Typically salaries for roustabouts and roughnecks (drill deck workers) are approximately US $300 per day. Annual salaries work out to be approximately US $47,000.

More specialized jobs such as that of Driller is likely to make around $56,000 per annum, which Toolpushers, Drill Leaders and Supervisors are likely to earn around the US $75,000 - $100,000 mark per year.Entry level positions typically make between US $50,000 - US $80,000 per annum. Trades, technical and professional positions will likely earn between US $70,000 - US $220,000 per annum.

The website at http://www.oil-rig-job.com features more information on getting jobs in this industry.

Life Offshore
- You will be issued with safety boots hard hat safety glasses and coveralls.
- Keep a good attitude and be focused on why you wanted to work offshore.
- There are smoking rooms at various places on a rig where safety matches will be supplied.
- For meals you take off your work gear and eat in the galley.
- You may have to work a night shift or two as an oil rig is a 24 hour operation.
- Don't upset the radio operator, medic or chef. Helicopters, medical attention and food are most important.

Aboard an oil rig every piece of lifting equipment has a color code on it - this is an indication that it was tested as safe to use on the last lifting equipment check. Only items with the current color code on them should be used.

When working in the petroleum industry, don't bring alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons (of any description) including knives, flammable items, lighters and matches (safety matches will be provided in the smokers room) when working on energy jobs.

If working aboard an offshore rig, remove batteries from electrical equipment before checking in you luggage. If you are to be transported by helicopter your mobile phone may be taken from you before you board the helicopter.A number of people working aboard oil rigs work are in support roles such as catering crew and doctors, etc. The following is an outline of what may be expected for doctors or medics. Because of the physical size of rigs, many of these types of roles are sole charged and one must be able to make do with the facilities and resources at end. In the case of doctors or medics based aboard oil rigs, it may be necessary to treat patients suffering from a huge variety of ailments and illnesses. Issues can arise as a lot of the workers aboard oil rig installations may speak foreign languages, so it is critical for the medical personnel to be able to quickly and effectively diagnose the problem. Generally medical staff will work one of two shifts, either day or night. Their role can often also include checking and maintianing stocks of emergency supplies, testing and verifying drinking water supplies are clean, as well as inspecting both raw and cooked foods from the kitchen. They are also often responsible for conducting weekly first aid seminars for all workers aboard the oil rig.

Claire Calkin