Tankeyes

I'm looking to get a job at a drillers helper or leasehand out there but I don't really know who to contact. I have had tons of physical jobs including roofing, and I have my first and and obviously drivers license. I can't get my H2S training until I move there but I can't move there until I have a job intact so I know where I'll be living. I think you see what I'm getting at.

If anyone knows someone working there that's a recruiter or if you work there yourself, please let me know ASAP. I want to start work in March.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

The oilfield is really slow right now. Im a tester and one of the few fourtunate ones to be able to work right now.

Problem with summer work is drilling rigs dont like to hire green guys. Your best bet would be to get on a service rig in the start of winter. It works a little different from what discovery channel portrays it as.

Your absolute best bet would be to move to Grande Prarie. Just about every major company is based out of there. Look up Percision Drilling. They can provide training. They prefer guys that just show up, as to guys who fax in resumes. "Your here so might as well put you to work". H2S and First Aid are an asset, but just H2S is fine.

Roughnecks make about $300 to $400 a day. I do roughnecking from time to time when they need help. Its dirty, painful, dangerous and the weather shows no mercy.

But yeah, if you want to move somewheres, head to grande prarie.

Football22

You could try contacting Beck Drilling in Calgary. My buddy works for them and hes been pretty busy for the last couple of months.

Tankeyes

Well I applied to Precision drilling online. But living is expensive out there so I don't really know if I wanna move out to Grande Prarie and not even have a job to pay for living there.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

You live in camp when you work, so technically you could be homeless. I accually know a guy that did this.

Other guys live in travel trailers in parks, etc.

Theres other towns too, like high level, or fox creek and such.


Service rigs are always really busy this time of year. I dont know how many drilling rigs I've seen parked on the side of the road going to and from Chinchauga.

Tankeyes

Well I will probably end up going through with forest firefighting then. I've signed up for my SP-100 course.

Aviator 902S

I've never heard of Beck drilling, but I used to work on rigs in '85 and '86 out of Medicine Hat for a company called Atco Drilling. Most of our work was drilling for gas in the Suffield military block and surrounding area.

Interestingly, one of the drillers on our rig was a guy named Pete Beck. Decent guy, hard worker, etc. Haven't heard from him since. Total shot in the dark here, but could he be involved with Beck Drilling? He'd be in his early 40s by now.

highwayinthesky

screw working on the rigs, i have done it (i was a motor hand for about a year) and would not recomend it to anyone. the work tends to be really boom/bust. the tv show "the rig" is not what it is really like. if you want to start working in the patch or in the oil indusrty and you dont mind working hard pm me and i will give you a few outfits to get a hold of allthough the work wont be on the rigs.

if you are interested in logging or fire fighting you may want to look into sysmic line clearing (all you do is fall and slash) or even surveying, i use a chainsaw a fair bit surveying and there are alot or survey outfits looking for rodman/survey helpers and you get to quad a fair bit.

Manntis

Or, if you've an aptitude for electrical engineering, there's a lot of work available in Alberta servicing transformers at the wind farms. Back when I used to do that, it was $40/hr plus expenses to check the Tor gauge every hour (and watch DVDs in between) while the transformer's atmosphere was being vacuumed, some simple hose connects/disconnects to fill it with oil, and spin some wrenches putting on finishing parts. The insulating oil stinks, but it's a lot less messier than rig work, more technical, and more on-the-clock downtime.

Smitter

some of the **** these guys are telling u is partially right......i am a driller for precision drilling....so i may know a thing or 2.....yes the patch is suppose to be slow this summer....so it might be a little harder to get on........especially in march..........90% of the drilling rigs in western canada are down due to the road bans........which is reffered to a spring-break up....so chances of gettin on then (especially with no experience is next to none.) check out www.caodc.ca.....it'll give u a list of drilling and service contractors that u can touch base with 2 see if they are hiring.....as far as the work goes........yeah it is not for everybody......lots of guys cant hack it........they need there moms tit 2 survive.........but if u like money.......its hard to beat

Aviator 902S

All true. I saw all of this when I used to work the rigs. Some of the guys who "can't hack it" would surprise you: Big tough guys who can fight--- but are absolute lazy ***** who will stand and watch rather than lift a finger to help unless poked with a branding iron. And they bring their attitudes with them, while leaving their brains on the kitchen counter.

Liberals typically don't last long in this environment either--- unless they're wise enough to not let their co-workers (many of whom still remember the NEP of 1980 to 1984) know about their political leanings.

But some of the ones who excel in this occupation would also surprise you: seemingly skinny wimps, but looks deceive--- they bust their asses, and when there's a lull in the work pace they immediately look for something else to keep themselves busy. If it's apparent that someone else needs help with something they don't need to be asked---- they're already instictively aware of the situation and immediately pitch in.

Regardless of physique (genuine weaklings notwithstanding), the ones who have decent work ethics and who show up regularly with good attendance are the ones who last long enough to retire early. But if you're green (ie: a rookie) this is still a job for those young enough to still have a strong back, rather than tired old geezers like me.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

Its not what you know, its who you know. You can argue all you want, but its true.

I just got back from a short stretch of work accually. I could of stayed longer, but the fat medic was starting to look attractive.


The money is big if you want get in the right places, and you wont have to work so hard. Best thing to do is kiss as much *** as possible. Know everyone, get buddy buddy. Find out names, and take numbers.

And the number one thing to do is:

BULLSHIT.

If you can convince someone you barely know your a superstar, you are.

smitter113fd: What Rig are you working on? Service Rig or Drilling Rig? What Number?

Smitter

smitter113fd: What Rig are you working on? Service Rig or Drilling Rig? What Number?[/QUOTE]


drilling rig.......431

Alak

iTrader: (9)

Cool, I worked with Service Rig 199 for a little while. Whereabouts are you guys usually?

Aviator 902S

Remember Smitter, the above post came from the guy who recommends that if you're looking for oil patch work to "BULLSHIT" your way in.

Just razzin' you, S. You made that one too easy to resist. We all know you're an experienced rigger.

On the other hand, I used to work on rigs too. Maybe I'm bullshitting about your experience.

Smitter

Yeah i dont necessarily agree with the bullshit theory.........but i guess it can be considered true to a certain extent......i am a firm believer that hard work pays off...
right now we are working nw of Drayton....on our second last well before we wrap things up for the spring....generally we move throughout the central alberta region......

American Rice

Back last year to make some money for school I applied at Lakota Drillin in Nisku and I was hired on within a week. We always had work except for the 1 and ahalf of spring break up we got. Other then that we were working. And if you are smart and able to put out you will move up fast. Only took me 3 months to get up to being a motor hand.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

Yeah, the 'Bullshit' Theory was kinda lame. But it has a little ring of truth. With confidence, I'm sure I can convince some guys I'm the god of drilling or whatever.

Craziest thing I've ever seen this winter:

Pack of wolves came to lie under the flarestack to warm up on a cold night. Took me about 20 minutes to man up and go out there for a reading. They didnt bother me as the closest I got was 25m.

Dumbest thing I've ever seen this winter:

Haliburton was pumping acid and a form of aviation fuel for an acid frac job down into the well. The guy forgot a valve was open and poured (Alot) of acid on the ground. Then, after realizing his mistake, he did the SAME THING with the aviation fuel. The fire fighters had to come and clean it up as it was an extreme enviornmental hazard.

Alak

iTrader: (9)

I'd just have to retract my statements about putting on a show. I agree with the other guys that what you do proves what you are. Hard work pays off.

I guess its different because Im just a 'Lazy Tester'. Or as the Push always says: "Where are those F#$kin' Testers!".

Testers are one of the more hated professions. I guess its because most of the testing companies just sit in their shack and watch or something.

turn and burn

if you really want to get a job in the oilfield you should start in the maintenance end of things, pay is not bad. once you got some experience you can jump into the production end of things. Being a field operator you have the best job securety in the oilfield relm, no matter how slow the patch is. just my thoughts

good luck