REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - [Confidential] Moving to Fort Mac, would you do it?

bong890 · 10-01-2013, 12:38 PM

I currently work in northern alberta as a field/battery operator. What I do basically is after they drill oil wells, the wells pump for a number of years after. I look after about 40 wells and visit them each day making sure that they keep consistent production. If a well stops pumping I call well servicing (rig crew) and have them work on the well.

So for those of you who are looking to work on a service rig be prepared to work hard. From what I understand the guys around here do 2 weeks on and 1 week off. 12 hour shifts. It usually takes them about 2 days around the clock to pull the pump out of a well and replace it. So they generally move from site to site. Now starting off on a rig crew you get treated like shit. I've seen guys get bitched at to the point where they look like they are going to cry. I've seen guys throw wrenches at the "green" guys because they were working too "slow" but in my opinion they just felt like it. I've seen guys constantly threatened to get fired or sent home.
So for anyone looking to do that kind of work be prepared. The work is shitty and dirty, and you are at the very bottom. The money is good though.
Also, safety is a major concern for me working in this area. People care about maximizing profit and only do the minimal in terms of safety and following regulations. So if you get stuck working for an asshole who gets you to do something you feel risks your own life refuse to work. I've been with this company for one year and we already had one death, and that is too many.
I do not work near ft. mac so the government regulators are not out here scrutinizing as much. The attitude here is very "backyard mechanic" get everything to run no matter what and how.

Trades people are better, a lot of pipe fitters and electricians and instrumentation guys work for my company as third party contractors. They are normal people just like us, no drug users or anything. Most of the people are from the cities like Edmonton or Grand Prairie looking for money. Trades people usually do 8 days on 6 days off.

My qualifications: I have my Fourth Class Power Engineering ticket and have worked in the oil field for one year now. My goal is to work in Ft. Mac as a Plant operator in a refinery. People have been saying that getting a job as a Power Engineer should be easy but personally I am finding it to be quite difficult. Job postings usually require 3-5 years oilfield experience and it is quite competitive. Companies like to hire out of 2 year programs from NAIT or SAIT.

That being said if anyone knows any refineries or plants in ft. mac that are hiring it would be much appreciated.
The hardest part is getting a call back for an interview. I've applied to many places and have yet to get a call back for an interview.

10-01-2013, 12:38 PM	#67
bong890 Proud to be called a RS Regular! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: vancouver Posts: 99 Thanked 19 Times in 1 Post Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	I currently work in northern alberta as a field/battery operator. What I do basically is after they drill oil wells, the wells pump for a number of years after. I look after about 40 wells and visit them each day making sure that they keep consistent production. If a well stops pumping I call well servicing (rig crew) and have them work on the well. So for those of you who are looking to work on a service rig be prepared to work hard. From what I understand the guys around here do 2 weeks on and 1 week off. 12 hour shifts. It usually takes them about 2 days around the clock to pull the pump out of a well and replace it. So they generally move from site to site. Now starting off on a rig crew you get treated like shit. I've seen guys get bitched at to the point where they look like they are going to cry. I've seen guys throw wrenches at the "green" guys because they were working too "slow" but in my opinion they just felt like it. I've seen guys constantly threatened to get fired or sent home. So for anyone looking to do that kind of work be prepared. The work is shitty and dirty, and you are at the very bottom. The money is good though. Also, safety is a major concern for me working in this area. People care about maximizing profit and only do the minimal in terms of safety and following regulations. So if you get stuck working for an asshole who gets you to do something you feel risks your own life refuse to work. I've been with this company for one year and we already had one death, and that is too many. I do not work near ft. mac so the government regulators are not out here scrutinizing as much. The attitude here is very "backyard mechanic" get everything to run no matter what and how. Trades people are better, a lot of pipe fitters and electricians and instrumentation guys work for my company as third party contractors. They are normal people just like us, no drug users or anything. Most of the people are from the cities like Edmonton or Grand Prairie looking for money. Trades people usually do 8 days on 6 days off. My qualifications: I have my Fourth Class Power Engineering ticket and have worked in the oil field for one year now. My goal is to work in Ft. Mac as a Plant operator in a refinery. People have been saying that getting a job as a Power Engineer should be easy but personally I am finding it to be quite difficult. Job postings usually require 3-5 years oilfield experience and it is quite competitive. Companies like to hire out of 2 year programs from NAIT or SAIT. That being said if anyone knows any refineries or plants in ft. mac that are hiring it would be much appreciated. The hardest part is getting a call back for an interview. I've applied to many places and have yet to get a call back for an interview.