Oil rigs have always been sought after by those in the petroleum industry, especially during rough economic times. These are not only used to drill for and extract oil, but also to process the natural resources that are found beneath the surface. When oil prices increase, these rigs are often used to help drill for more oil and extract it from well sites. The rig is essentially the biggest and most important piece of equipment on any oil rig. In some cases, it can cost millions of dollars to operate, and even more when it is complete.
The majority of rigs will employ a significant number of people who perform all facets of operations on the vessel. From dock workers, cookers, rig crew members, engineers, and technicians, there are numerous positions available on an oil rig. The majority of oil rigs will employ engineers who will be responsible for maintaining the systems that are needed to extract oil from the earth. In some instances, the engineers will actually oversee the drilling or production of the wells. Oil rig workers that are employed on offshore oil rigs will typically live and work on these boats for months at a time, and some will spend years at sea.
The vast majority of jobs on an oil rig can be performed by individuals that have previous construction experience, but the majority of jobs will require significant training and certification. It is vital that anyone interested in working on an offshore oil rig to make certain that their prior construction experience or training is up to date and that they possess all necessary certifications and skills to perform the job duties. Jobs on oil rigs are extremely rewarding, and living and working on one are comparable to living and working in almost any industrial setting.