Finding work on an oil patch?

[Mai72]

It's very common for someone to make $120k a year. They don't have to attend college for 4 years. They normally work 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week. It's a dangerous job. You're exposed to dangerous chemicals on a daily basis.

The money is very enticing. $10k a month is a lot of cash.

Has anyone thought about going into this line of work? If you already work in an oil patch can you please tell us how day to day life is like.

 

[highland145]

oilfieldtrash....

 

[Phoenix86]

oilfieldtrash....

I'm sure some of them are fine people.

 

[Phoenix86]

@OP are you a manlet?

 

[MongGrel]

Been there, done that more or less once or twice in my life.

Wasn't oilfield but no thanks, you have no life then.

 

[Imp]

Money's good, work is hard as effing hell in shitty conditions.

I'm too paranoid about the chemicals to do it.

 

[Mai72]

@OP are you a manlet?

I'm 5'10 and built like Zeus!

 

[olds]

I'm 5'10 and built like Zeus!

http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/-zeus-puppy-protective-custody-fund-/87242

 

[Mai72]

http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/-zeus-puppy-protective-custody-fund-/87242

Holly hell. Poor pooch.

I meant Zeus from God of War 3.

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120630213131/villains/images/2/2b/Zeus_(GoW3).JPG

 

[OCGuy]

Any single male in their 20s in the US who is unemployed and not heading to the fields is insane.

 

[Mai72]

Is 5'10 considered a manlet?

 

[olds]

Any single male in their 20s in the US who is unemployed and not heading to the fields is insane.

I concur. But they are all pussies nowadays.

 

[Mai72]

Any single male in their 20s in the US who is unemployed and not heading to the fields is insane.

Are you being serious? The work is dangerous and you're exposed to awful chemicals.

Most 20 something's would rather live off mama's teet and play video games than work 14 hour days in subhuman temperatures.

 

[Ns1]

Are you being serious? The work is dangerous and you're exposed to awful chemicals.

but if you survive you got #yolo money.

 

[Mai72]

but if you survive you got #yolo money.

Lol... True. I don't know how you are going to enjoy your money when cancer creeps into your body and kills you.

 

[Ns1]

Lol... True. I don't know how you are going to enjoy your money when cancer creeps into your body and kills you.

obvious answer: spend all your money before cancer kills you, then kill yourself by doing something stupid before cancer does.

 

[Imp]

obvious answer: spend all your money before cancer kills you, then kill yourself by doing something stupid before cancer does.

According to what I hear about the oil sands in Alberta, that's exactly what they do... Hardcore drugs and hookers -- hookers & blow!

 

[MongGrel]

Cancer will probably get me yet, but fuck you cancer

*Punches cancer in the face*

 

[herm0016]

I work in the field. It's hard, stressful and the days are long. Money is great. It's hard to get out once you are in as well. There are great opportunities to see the world as you move up. Do it. I don't regret it. I am trying to find a job close to home though.

 

[BoomerD]

Been there...done that. Mostly in the gas fields in Wyoming...but it's very much the same thing.

As has already been mentioned...hard, physical work in often terrible conditions...harsh weather, dangerous work, long, grueling hours...plus, you aren't going to make $120K with no applicable skills. You MIGHT get a job in the area...IIRC, run-of-the-mill jobs around Williston are paying $50K and over.

 

[phucheneh]

I strongly considered going to Iraq to fix trucks for similar money. That shit is like 16 hour days for a year.

For maybe a little less pay, you get to...not go to Iraq. And you don't need training or experience. It sounds pretty fair to me.

But it should be looked at as a short term thing to do while you stash money away, and you have to able to cope with the stress of long, hard hours without much relief in sight. In my case, I simply didn't think I was in a state where I was mentally capable of doing it.

 

[TonyG]

The money can be damn good, just don't be a whiny little bitch on job site and expect to get some crap for being the new guy and you will probably do ok and bank some cash. Also, jump on any extra work the boss may say is optional and you will quickly move up to a better position. This is what several friends in the business have told me, and they are doing quite well. If I didn't have my current job that I really enjoy(pays less unfortunately) I would jump into oil field work and bank some cash.

 

[GrumpyMan]

You'll make twice that if you become a stripper....

 

[foghorn67]

Go to Caterpillar's website, they have schooling available for free or next to nothing. That could be your ticket to learn a marketable trade. Or learn how to weld. If your coordination is good, you can probably pick it up quickly.

Learn the 10,000 hr. rule. If you work 10,000 hours to something, it will pay off.

 

[OutHouse]

I live in weld county colorado and it has exploded with oil and natural gas conventional and fracking wells. the KOA near me has been FULL for over a year due to all the roughnecks that have flooded the area. pipelines are being run from my county to texas. its nuts how many wells i see at night lit up like a NFL stadium.

would i do it? no, im too old, too out of shape and when i drove past those wells in Jan when it was -20 and howling wind, im glad i have a nice office job.