Guide to working in the UK North Sea
If you are interested in working in the North Sea here is our useful guide.
As there are so many different types of jobs and career paths to follow it's hard to know where to start!
The phrase I hear all to often is;
'My uncle/friend/ earns a killing on the rigs, - I want a job offshore too'!
Each offshore worker has to pass rigorous training in order to qualify to work, and they are frequently assessed to maintain their certificates. It's well paid for very good reasons! The North Sea environment is a hostile and sometimes dangerous place in which to work. Safety is always the top priority and, it is by no means an easy job. Now we're clear on that, let's take a look at what's required.
Two things you need to have before working offshore in any discipline are:
A survival certificate for the Offshore environment.
An Offshore medical certificate.
OFFSHORE SURVIVAL
Firstly for UK waters the offshore survival certificate is known as a BOSIET
(Basic Safety Offshore Induction and Emergency Training).
The BOSIET includes; First Aid and Hypothermia, Survival at Sea, General Safety, Helicopter Safety and Escape, Fire Preventions and Fire Fighting.
The BOSIET is commonly known as the 'Offshore Survival Certificate' or 'Survival Ticket'. It is valid for four years, and re-fresher (usually lasting one day) must be taken before the original certificate expires. The courses vary in length between providers, however it is usually lasts between 2 to 3 days. With the advent of e-learning some providers allow the theory parts to be completed via the internet. The cost of the BOSIET course is around 600 GBP, plus any accommodation costs.
There are "extras" that you can request, and pay for, when doing your survival, e.g. a little extra helicopter escape training bolted on to the BOSIET counts as "Additional Safety Training" for the Norwegian sector.
Some countries across the world have different requirements, some more stringent than those in the UK. One example; the BOSIET course is not enough to work in the North Sea Norwegain sector. The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) course, is a 5 day affair and a lot more demanding than that required in the UK. Most offshore training companies in the UK run courses allowing you to work in other sectors. These are often run as additions to the BOSIET course.
OFFSHORE MEDICAL
Every offshore worker must undergo and pass a medical examination which classifies them as medically fit to work in the offshore environment.
Different offshore authorities have different requirements. For UK waters only physicians who are approved by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) Health Advisory Committee should carry out the examination and issue certificates.
The medical ticket which it is commonly reffered to is only valid for a set time frame. This is determined by your age and the authority or body who controls the asset on which you work. You will have to have it renewed every so often in order to continue working offshore.
For UK waters, all assets are controlled by UKOOA and renewals are necessary 2-yearly, with effect from 1 Jan 2007, irrespective of the age of the offshore person.
A typical examination will begin with you filling out an extensive form on your medical history, and lifestyle e.g. alcohol consumption, exercise etc. After this a physical examination will be carried out:
- Urine check (for protein and sugar)
- Height, weight and resultant Body Mass Index calculation
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Basic eye sight test including colour vision
- Capacity of Lungs check
-Test of Hearing
-The physical examination by a qualified doctor. Checking stature, breathing, reflexes, etc.
- The doctor will also discuss the form you filled in, and carry out any additional checks they think necessary.
If your employer is paying for the examination they may ask for additional checks, e.g. drug test, to be carried out.
The Next Step
Don't rush out the door and get you survival and medical ticket just yet! These are just the two essentials you are required to have to enable you to work offshore. Now you have make the decision what exactly you want to do on the rig. Perhaps you already have some skills you could develop further. For example if you are chef or an electrician, you could simply develop the job you already and adapt your skills to work offshore. This may mean additional training or qualifications. Do your research, investigate everything further. Find out what skills are in demand at the moment and the costs involved in becoming qualified. Research who runs the courses and the governing body who oversee it. Listed below is a short list of the many job categories to investigate further.
Engineering
Drilling
Piping
Marine/Diving/ROV
Technicians
N.D.T. & Rope access personnel
Specialized trades & Riggers
Health & Safety
Geologists & Geosciences
Working Offshore
Working on an oil rig offshore is very different from an onshore office. The days are long (12 hours), there are harsh weather conditions, (especially in the UK's North Sea) the remoteness, and transport by helicopter are not for everyone. It is certainly very different from the usual office workers nine to five and rush hour commute. Most people fins it a challenging but refreshing environment in which to work.
What To Expect
A lot depends on the installation. It could be a production platform or drilling rig, or an FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel) each one is different! Their size is a factor. Some are huge other very small. As a result facilities on offer vary greatly. As a general rule of thumb a typical North Sea production platform will boast a crew of between 50 and 100 men and women. Living quarters are usually small but comfortable, typically en-suite, with 2 or more to a cabin. Food is good and plentiful, although do not expect a beer with your meals - alcohol is strictly prohibited offshore.
Crews Offshore work an average of 12 hours per day this includes rest and meal breaks, They then have 12 hours off. Off-shift workers are able to use the gym (yes they do have them), watch a DVD or satellite Television, play pool, video games, read, sleep or generally hang out with their colleagues. Offshore crew usually work on a production platform for a period of two weeks before having a rest period onshore for two weeks - 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, though 2 weeks on and 3 weeks off is becoming increasingly common. Those in drilling and exploration can spend longer offshore.
Downsides
You have to get on with your cabin mates. Work disagreements need to be patched up quickly. There are downsides. Living close together with you colleague's means you have to get on with everyone. Disagreements certainly need to be patched up quickly. Being away from your loved ones at home can also sometimes be a problem as can on occasion lead to divorce or break up.
Restrictions
There are a few other restrictions in addition to the survival and medical;
- The minimum age for working offshore in the UK sector is 18.
It is not unknown for people to be denied travel offshore because their breath smells of alcohol. Additionally, some operators have provision for carrying out random drugs tests on potential travellers. - You are not allowed to travel offshore under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. This is strictly enforced at the heliport departure desk.
- There is a limit to how long you can spend offshore in any one trip. Most operators have a 21 day limit on this. After 21 days you must be onshore for 7 days before travelling offshore again.
If you are interested in working in the North Sea here is our useful guide.
As there are so many different types of jobs and career paths to follow it's hard to know where to start!
The phrase I hear all to often is;
'My uncle/friend/ earns a killing on the rigs, - I want a job offshore too'!
Each offshore worker has to pass rigorous training in order to qualify to work, and they are frequently assessed to maintain their certificates. It's well paid for very good reasons! The North Sea environment is a hostile and sometimes dangerous place in which to work. Safety is always the top priority and, it is by no means an easy job. Now we're clear on that, let's take a look at what's required.
Two things you need to have before working offshore in any discipline are:
A survival certificate for the Offshore environment.
An Offshore medical certificate.
OFFSHORE SURVIVAL
Firstly for UK waters the offshore survival certificate is known as a BOSIET
(Basic Safety Offshore Induction and Emergency Training).
The BOSIET includes; First Aid and Hypothermia, Survival at Sea, General Safety, Helicopter Safety and Escape, Fire Preventions and Fire Fighting.
The BOSIET is commonly known as the 'Offshore Survival Certificate' or 'Survival Ticket'. It is valid for four years, and re-fresher (usually lasting one day) must be taken before the original certificate expires. The courses vary in length between providers, however it is usually lasts between 2 to 3 days. With the advent of e-learning some providers allow the theory parts to be completed via the internet. The cost of the BOSIET course is around 600 GBP, plus any accommodation costs.
There are "extras" that you can request, and pay for, when doing your survival, e.g. a little extra helicopter escape training bolted on to the BOSIET counts as "Additional Safety Training" for the Norwegian sector.
Some countries across the world have different requirements, some more stringent than those in the UK. One example; the BOSIET course is not enough to work in the North Sea Norwegain sector. The Norwegian Oil Industry Association (OLF) course, is a 5 day affair and a lot more demanding than that required in the UK. Most offshore training companies in the UK run courses allowing you to work in other sectors. These are often run as additions to the BOSIET course.
OFFSHORE MEDICAL
Every offshore worker must undergo and pass a medical examination which classifies them as medically fit to work in the offshore environment.
Different offshore authorities have different requirements. For UK waters only physicians who are approved by the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) Health Advisory Committee should carry out the examination and issue certificates.
The medical ticket which it is commonly reffered to is only valid for a set time frame. This is determined by your age and the authority or body who controls the asset on which you work. You will have to have it renewed every so often in order to continue working offshore.
For UK waters, all assets are controlled by UKOOA and renewals are necessary 2-yearly, with effect from 1 Jan 2007, irrespective of the age of the offshore person.
A typical examination will begin with you filling out an extensive form on your medical history, and lifestyle e.g. alcohol consumption, exercise etc. After this a physical examination will be carried out:
- Urine check (for protein and sugar)
- Height, weight and resultant Body Mass Index calculation
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Basic eye sight test including colour vision
- Capacity of Lungs check
-Test of Hearing
-The physical examination by a qualified doctor. Checking stature, breathing, reflexes, etc.
- The doctor will also discuss the form you filled in, and carry out any additional checks they think necessary.
If your employer is paying for the examination they may ask for additional checks, e.g. drug test, to be carried out.
The Next Step
Don't rush out the door and get you survival and medical ticket just yet! These are just the two essentials you are required to have to enable you to work offshore. Now you have make the decision what exactly you want to do on the rig. Perhaps you already have some skills you could develop further. For example if you are chef or an electrician, you could simply develop the job you already and adapt your skills to work offshore. This may mean additional training or qualifications. Do your research, investigate everything further. Find out what skills are in demand at the moment and the costs involved in becoming qualified. Research who runs the courses and the governing body who oversee it. Listed below is a short list of the many job categories to investigate further.
Engineering
Drilling
Piping
Marine/Diving/ROV
Technicians
N.D.T. & Rope access personnel
Specialized trades & Riggers
Health & Safety
Geologists & Geosciences
Working Offshore
Working on an oil rig offshore is very different from an onshore office. The days are long (12 hours), there are harsh weather conditions, (especially in the UK's North Sea) the remoteness, and transport by helicopter are not for everyone. It is certainly very different from the usual office workers nine to five and rush hour commute. Most people fins it a challenging but refreshing environment in which to work.
What To Expect
A lot depends on the installation. It could be a production platform or drilling rig, or an FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel) each one is different! Their size is a factor. Some are huge other very small. As a result facilities on offer vary greatly. As a general rule of thumb a typical North Sea production platform will boast a crew of between 50 and 100 men and women. Living quarters are usually small but comfortable, typically en-suite, with 2 or more to a cabin. Food is good and plentiful, although do not expect a beer with your meals - alcohol is strictly prohibited offshore.
Crews Offshore work an average of 12 hours per day this includes rest and meal breaks, They then have 12 hours off. Off-shift workers are able to use the gym (yes they do have them), watch a DVD or satellite Television, play pool, video games, read, sleep or generally hang out with their colleagues. Offshore crew usually work on a production platform for a period of two weeks before having a rest period onshore for two weeks - 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, though 2 weeks on and 3 weeks off is becoming increasingly common. Those in drilling and exploration can spend longer offshore.
Downsides
You have to get on with your cabin mates. Work disagreements need to be patched up quickly. There are downsides. Living close together with you colleague's means you have to get on with everyone. Disagreements certainly need to be patched up quickly. Being away from your loved ones at home can also sometimes be a problem as can on occasion lead to divorce or break up.
Restrictions
There are a few other restrictions in addition to the survival and medical;
- The minimum age for working offshore in the UK sector is 18.
It is not unknown for people to be denied travel offshore because their breath smells of alcohol. Additionally, some operators have provision for carrying out random drugs tests on potential travellers. - You are not allowed to travel offshore under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. This is strictly enforced at the heliport departure desk.
- There is a limit to how long you can spend offshore in any one trip. Most operators have a 21 day limit on this. After 21 days you must be onshore for 7 days before travelling offshore again.
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