Career Spotlight: Energy Offshore Workers

Photo by Cecilia  Ravalli

Energy offshore workers play a vital role in the global energy industry, working on oil rigs, wind farms, and other marine-based energy projects. Their specialized skills and challenging work environments contribute to powering the world, making this career both demanding and rewarding for those seeking adventure and technical expertise. Below, we’ll dive into these roles further to help you decide if this is a career path you want to explore.

What is an Offshore Worker?

An offshore worker is someone who works relatively far from land. Common locations for offshore workers include oil rigs or wind and gas farms. The type of work that an offshore worker does will depend on the specific role and the facility where they work. However, the one thing that these jobs have in common is that they work so far from land that they require separate transportation to reach them, such as ships or helicopters. 

What Does an Offshore Worker Do?

The specific responsibilities of an offshore worker depend on their role. For example, one type of offshore worker is an ROV technician. An ROV technician operates and maintains remotely operated underwater vehicles, tools, and equipment. These are vital tools in many offshore products, requiring experts who know how to use them properly.

Another common role is that of a mudlogger. A mudlogger is someone who gathers data from a drilling operation. Drilling companies rely on data to determine where they can drill and how they can drill there safely. The mudlogger researches and analyzes the data to help the drilling team make future decisions.

Finally, offshore construction managers will oversee the research and development of new offshore construction projects. This could include the building of a new wind farm, installing a new oil rig, or the building of marine energy arrays.

What are the Benefits of Being an Offshore Worker?

There are a few benefits that can come from working offshore. For starters, many of these positions offer high salaries. As an example, roustabouts in the oil and gas industry have a median salary of $46,340 per year. In addition, due to the fact that many of these jobs require unique skill sets and distant working conditions, they often offer strong job security. These jobs are in high demand without enough people to fill them, leading employers to offer better salaries, benefits, and job security.

You may also enjoy working offshore if you want a job with a bit of adventure. Many offshore workers perform their jobs in the middle of the ocean and require a helicopter to get there. Elements like this are certainly not available in your average office job.

What are the Drawbacks of Being an Offshore Worker?

Of course, there are a few potential drawbacks to offshore work. For example, many offshore jobs require long hours, such as 12-hour shifts. You may also be isolated from your family and friends for extended periods of time.

In addition, many of these jobs are inherently dangerous says a maritime injury law firm. Not only is the work physically demanding, but the close contact with large equipment and heavy machinery can lead to serious personal injury if the negligence of an employer or other employee is involved. In some cases, maritime workers are caught in catastrophic accidents, such as explosions on an oil rig, that can cause serious burns or death. Slip and fall accidents are also very common for offshore workers.

How To Become an Offshore Worker

If you’re interested in becoming an offshore worker, there are a few steps you can follow. First, you’ll want to conduct some research. Look into the various roles available and which ones might best suit your abilities and passions.

Once you know the type of offshore job you want, you can then begin learning about its specific requirements. For instance, it may require a certain major in college or professional certifications. You can then begin to map out a career path for yourself.

Finally, offshore jobs often require additional training to ensure a safe workplace. You’ll likely need to complete Basic Offshore Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET). You can complete this training through various training providers. Then, you may need to pass some online tests, which examine your situational judgment, mechanical aptitude, and verbal reasoning, among other things.

Explore Becoming an Offshore Worker

Working offshore isn’t right for everyone, but it does offer some unique advantages. If you’re looking for a career that offers good pay and decent job security, plus you want a little adventure, you may enjoy working offshore. There are certainly some drawbacks, but depending on what you’re looking for and your personality, you may be able to mitigate these negatives and make working offshore a beneficial experience for yourself.