What do offshore workers do? And how much do they make?

In the Oil and Gas industry, offshore worker roles are wide-ranging. For example, as an offshore driller, you might operate and control the drilling machinery that extracts oil from the seabed. Offshore oil workers can expect to earn between $50,000 - $300,00 per year, depending on the role.

Offshore work typically involves working on oil rigs in the sea. In Oil and Gas, offshore workers are usually involved in exploring and extracting mineral resources from the seabed. The work can be physically demanding and undertaken in difficult conditions like extreme weather. However, the rewards can be very satisfying.

Offshore work can be broadly categorised into four areas: exploration, construction, operations and management. Offshore oil workers can perform a range of duties including drilling, surveying, diving and carrying out health and safety checks.

Learn more about the life cycle of an Oil and Gas project.

What does an offshore worker do?

Offshore rig workers carry out a range of duties: 

■ A Drilling Engineer is responsible for exploring and extracting oil from wells. They also maintain the drill and other tools that are used in the extraction process. 

■ As a Driller, you’d oversee the assembly of drilling tools, monitor the drilling process and ensure health and safety procedures are being followed.

■ As a Derrickman, you would work on a platform attached to the derrick, which is a mast that supports the drilling equipment. You’d be responsible for aligning the drill pipe, securing its foundation and connecting it to other components. A Derrickman also operates and maintains drilling motors and monitors pumping pressure.

■ As a Ballast Control Operator, your job would be to control the oil rig’s stability. As a floating structure, an oil rig has a ballast tank, which holds water to provide stability in harsh currents. In this role, you’d be responsible for maintaining the rig’s position, monitoring the ballast controls, producing reports on the rig’s stability and supervising the transfer of bulk material.

■ Offshore Installation Managers (OIMs) manage all offshore activities on an oil or gas rig, including maintenance, project work and training. They are responsible for ensuring that all processes and procedures are adhered to. In this role, you’d be trained in how to handle emergencies and how to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of workers.

Other offshore Oil and Gas jobs include:

■ Well Services Supervisor

■ Automation Systems Specialist

■ Offshore Piping Designer

■ Production Technician

■ Pump Operator

■ Helicopter Pilot

■ Geologist

■ Welder

■ Electrician

■ Cooking Staff