Jack Up Offshore Crew and Job Description

Jackup Mobile drilling rig (MODU) used in offshore drilling. Jackup rigs stand on the ocean floor with their hull and drilling equipment elevated above the water on connected leg supports. Jackup rigs are generally preferred over other rig types in water depths of 400 feet or less, primarily because jackup rigs provide a more stable drilling platform with above water blowout prevention equipment.

Jackup offshore Crews work 12 hours shifts and ussually change at 6:00 AM/PM, individuals with no onboard releif are on call 24 hours per day but ussually only work 12 hours per day. 

Following Jackup Full crews positions and job responsibilites. 

1. Offshore Installation Manage (OIM) 

OIM in charge of all activities and legally responsible for the rig. 

2. Senior/Day Tool Pusher 

Position in charge of drilling activities and directing personnel that support the hole making activities on the 

rig.

3. Night Tool Pusher

Similar duties to day tool pusher but works at night and ussually subordidnate to the Day toolpusher.

4. Driller, 4 on/off

In charge of the drill floor, drill crews, well progress and reports to the Tool Pushers.

5. Assistan Drillers, 4 on/off

Assist Driller, in charge of drill floor when driller is not present, assists driller in his duties. 

6. Derrickman, 4 on/off

In charge on trips in and out the well racks pipe in the derrick at the monkey board level and also assists 

with mud solids equipment and monitoring mud condition. 

7. Floorman, 16 on/off

In charge supervised by the driller and works primarily on the drill floor, substructure and with drilling 

tools. 

8. Crane Operator, 4 on/off

In charge of operates the rig's cranes and supervises the roustabout crews. 

9. Roustabout, 8 on/off

In charge of performs manual labor such as painting, unlloading boats, carrying supplies to store rooms 

and other manual labor under the direction of the Crane operators.

10. Mechanic, 4 on/off

In charge of all rig mechanical equipment but particularly engines. 

11. Assistant Mechanic, 2 on/off

In charge of splits tours between two hitches on mechanics. Aids in mechanic's work and is in training. 

12. Motermen, 4 on/off

In charge primary duty is to monitor and attend the engine room. reportes to the mechanic. 

13. Electrician/Electronics Technician, 4 on/off

In charge of all rig electrical and electronic equipment and their maintenance. 

14. Asisstant Electrician, 2 on/off

In charge of splits tours between two hitches of electricians. aids in electrician work and is in training, 

reports to lead electrician. 

15. Welder, on/off 2, 

In charge of welds plate and peipe as necessary for drilling contractor and operator. 

16. Materialsmen, on/off 4

In charge handles materials, data entry for maintenance, purchasing, inventory, etc. 

17. Communications, on/off 2.

In charge of communications. 

18. Barge Engineer, on/off 2

In charge of the marine equipment and its oepration, in charge during rig moves and jacking. generally the 

maintenance crews and specialist report to the barg engineer. 

19. Catering/Camp Boss, on/off 2

In charge of hotel function on rig such as food, laundry, etc. 

20. Cooks, on/off 4.

In charge of preparing food for crews. 

21. Galley Hands, on/off 20

In charge of helps with food, cleans rooms, laundry etc. under the camp boss. 

Total for basic complement 98 crews.

Image courtesy of Maersk Drilling 

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Offshore Oil Rig Hierarchy.

Offshore Drilling Contractor has developed comprehensive management system, the most senior person on the Drilling Rigs is Offshroe Installation Manager (OIM) who is by the law, the master or captain of the vessel. The OIM is person who responsible for all departements, including:

• 1. Maintennance
• 2. Marine
• 3. Drilling 
• 4. Rig Administration

1. Maintenance

The Maintenance section is responsible for the maintenance and repairing of the machinery and drilling equipment on board. The section also overlooks all electrical operations on board and assists with installations of third party equipment.

Maintenance Crews:

• Chief Mechanic
• Chief Electrician
• Mechanic
• Electrician
• Assistance Mechanic
• Assistance Electricrian
• 2nd Engineer (Drilling Ship)
• 3rd Engineer (Drilling Ship)
• Motorman
• Welder
• Chief Painter
• Painter

2. Marine

The Marine section handles rig moves and operates the Dynamic Positioning system. It is also responsible for crane, anchor, ballast and deck operations as well as all control room activities, fabric maintenance and helicopter landings and takeoffs.

Marine Crews:

• Barge Master (expat included)
• Assistant Barge Master
• Deck Supervisor/Deck Pusher
• Crane Operator
• Assistan Crane Operator
• Lead Roustabout
• Roustabout
• 2nd Officer (Drilling Ship)
• 3rd Officer (Drilling Ship)
• AB Seaman (Drilling Ship)

3. Drilling

The Drilling section is responsible for all work related to the drilling operations itself; running and cementing of casings, tripping operations and controlling the actual drilling operation by using cyber equipment.

Drilling Crews: 

• Geologist
• Directional Driller
• Drilling Superintedent
• Rig Manager
• Senior Tool Pusher/Night tour Pusher
• Rig Mechanic
• Rig Electrician
• Driller/Assistan Driller
• Derrickhand
• Floor Man

4. Rig Administration

The Administration section handles all the practicalities that make the rig function as a workplace. This includes arranging transport to and from the rig, ensuring emergency preparedness and treating personnel when experiencing health issues.

Rig Officers:

• Safety Officer
• HSE assistan
• Medic
• Radio Operator
• Interpreter
• Material Man
• Store Keeper
• Catering Personnel
• Camp Boss

Image courtesy of Maersk Drilling 

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Oil Tankers, Jobs and Salary

Oil tanker (petroleum tanker) is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are divided in two major types:

- Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries.

- Product tankers, generally much smaller, are designed to move refined products from refineries to points near consuming markets.

The Oil tankers size classes range from inland or coastal tankers of a few thousand metric tons of deadweight (DWT) to the mammoth ultra large crude carriers (ULCCs) of 550,000 DWT. Tankers move approximately 2,000,000,000 metric tons (2.2×109 short tons) of oil every year. 

The oil tanker industry started in the 1860s and the first biggest oil tanker was driven by wind sails. The Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company were the pioneers in steam engine tankers. The first was the Vaderland, built in 1873.

The 1870s biggest oil tanker was designed by the Swedish Ludvig and Robert Noble. The tanker was constructed in 1878 and her name was Zoroaster. The biggest oil tanker of that time carried the oil into two iron tanks and had capacity of 242 long tons. She was 184 feet long, her beam was 27 ft and 9 ft draft.

The Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC)  can transport 2,000,000 barrels (320,000 m3) of oil/318,000 metric tons. Because of the size, supertankers often can not enter port fully loaded. these ships can take on their cargo at off-shore platforms and single-point moorings.

On the other end of the journey, they often pump their cargo off to smaller tankers at designated lightering points off-coast. A supertanker's routes are generally long, requiring it to stay at sea for extended periods, up to and beyond seventy days at a time.

According to E-how, Oil tankers offer a number of possible jobs, including typical sea-faring occupations which responsibility for the operation of the tanker and safety of crew and cargo. Following Oil Tankers Crews: 

Tanker Officers

The captain/master of a tanker is the person who holds ultimate responsibility for the operation of the tanker and safety of crew and cargo.

Captains are assisted in this task by mates or deck officers. Most large ships have three: a first, second and third mate. The first mate has the most authority and would take over if the captain is incapacitated. Officers on a tanker typically hold a bachelor’s degree from a marine academy as well as a merchant marine credential, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some may obtain their position through gradually increasing experience rather than formal education. They usually must have a Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential from the Department of Homeland Security.

Manning the Ship

Sailors or deckhands comprise most of an oil tanker’s crew. With the exception of the engine and motor, their job is to keep the ship in good repair and working order. They might paint, chip rust, clean the interior or help load and unload cargo. Some ships have a boatswain, a sailor who is the deck crew chief. A degree is not typically required, and seamen get most of their training on the job. Six months to a year is usually the time period for training. At that point the sailor must pass an exam to become an able seaman, which indicates he has experience. Like officers, sailors must have a TWIC.

Moving On

Engineers in a tanker are responsible for the ship’s propulsion system, which includes the engine, boilers, generators and pumps. A tanker typically has a chief engineer and three assistant engineers. They are assisted by marine oilers, the engine room equivalent of sailors. Engineers and oilers perform routine maintenance on the electrical, refrigeration and ventilation systems, regulate the vessel’s speed according to the captain’s orders, lubricate moving parts and keep inventory of parts and supplies. Engineers usually must have a bachelor’s degree, but oilers have a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job.

Salaries 

Marine occupations such as those found on an oil tanker are projected to grow 13 percent from 2012 to 2022. This is about average compared to all occupations, according to the BLS. The BLS reports salaries for jobs on oil tankers vary according to position. Sailors and marine oilers earned an average annual salary of $40,690 in 2013. Engineers earned $75,650 annually, while captains and mates earned $75,580.

Image from Marine Insight

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Oilfield Terminology (Oilfield Jargon).

Oilfield Terminology (Oilfield Jargon). 

Words or pharases describing profesions, equipment and procedures in the oil and gas industry:

Bell nipple: An enlarged pipe at the top of a casing string that serves as a funnel to guide drilling tools into the top of the well.

Big bear: A big bear is a hitch (see hitch) that lasts a minimum of 50 str

Bell to Bell : Shipyard term for working on jobs solidly from start to finish and being unable to finish early, even if said jobs are already completed. This is more ussual on onshore than offshore. 

Billy Pugh: Older method of transporting crews via crane and carriage to boat/platform. 

Blowout: A sudden, uncontrolled release of underground pressure from the well.

Cat's Head: Part of derricks mechanical works that, historically, would allow roughnecks to tighten and tourque up drill pipe using chain and rope. 

Choppers Eve: The day previous to when the copper arrives. 

Dog House: Area within the derrick where the toolpusher, driller and other high rangking types plan and carry out drilling operations. 

Donut: Abessin equipment installed as an escape system offshore. 

Drill string: A column, or string, of pipe that transmits drilling fluid (via the mud pumps) and torque (via the Kelly drive or top drive) to the drill bit.

Fish: Any object that has been unintentionally dropped and lost down the wellbore. Fishing is the act of using specialized tools to retrieve a fish.

Monkey Board: Platform on which derrickman works during the same a trip is being made. or reffered as the tubing board. 

Hitch: Rig employees refer to their work period as a 'hitch.' A common hitch is 20 days on, followed by 10 days off. Typically, two crews will be on and each crew will spend one week working 7am-7pm and the following week 7pm-7am. Or, crews may do a full two weeks of 7am-7pm and then, upon returning after their 10 days off, will work the next two weeks 7pm-7am (the third rig crew being on their 10 days off). Some rigs may operate four crews; these crews typically work eight hours shifts.

Intelligent well: An oil or gas well equipped with monitoring equipment and completion components that allow for automatic or remote optimization of production.

Kick: An intrusion of pressurized gas into the wellbore that causes drilling fluid to be displaced. It can be the precursor to a blowout.

Kickoff: A planned deviation from vertical, executed at the bottom of the wellbore.

Kill: The act of stopping a well from flowing.

Pig: A device inserted into a pipeline for cleaning purposes. The act of using a pig is called pigging.

OIM: Offshore Installation Manager. 

Sky Wakers: Rope Acces workers preferred nickname.

Well logging: The practice of making a detailed record (well log) of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole. Also known as borehole logging. Wireline logging is the practice of measuring formation properties using electrically powered instruments to infer properties and make decisions about drilling and production operations.

Worm: An inexperienced oilfield worker that is not yet a "hand".

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List Of Top National Oil Companies in Middle East:

Middle east is one of the largest share of oil production in the world. According to Transparency International based on BP data regionally the largest share of proved oil reserves is in the Middle East (754 billion barrels, constituting 51 per cent of global reserves including oil sands and 57 per cent excluding them). According to BP of the world oil reserves were in Saudi Arabia 18%, Iran 9%, Iraq 8%, Kuwait 7% and UAE 7%.

A list of the Top National Oil Companies in Middle East:

1 Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabian Oil Company).

Saudi Aramco founded in 1933,  it is owned by Saudi Arabian Goverment. Headquarters is based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco produce some 12.7 million barrels of oil per day. 

2 National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC)

The National Iranian Oil Company, a government-owned corporation under the direction of the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran, is an oil and natural gas producer and distributor headquartered in Tehran. It was established in 1948. CEO: Roknoddin Javadi

3 Qatar Petroleum

Qatar Petroleum founded in 1974, owned by the Goverment of Qatar, Headquarters in Doha, Qatar. Qatar Petroleum is the third largest producer and exporter of oil in the Middle East. Qatar Petroleum now produces 5.3 million barrels of oil per day. 

4 Kuwait Oil Company (KOC)

The Kuwait Oil Company was founded in 1934.  Headquarter in Ahmadi, Kuwait, owned by the Goverment of Kuwait, KOC produces in the region of 3.4 million barrels of oil per day. 

5 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, was founded in 1971, owned by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  ADNOC produces 2.4 million barrels of oil per day. 

6 Iraq National Oil Company (INOC)

The Iraq National Oil Company is owned by the Government of Iraq. Founded in 1966. Oil production is at 2.2 million barrels per day. Iraq produce 2.8 million barrels per day in January 2014.

7 Oman Oil Company (OOC)

The Oman Oil Company, founded in 1996, headquartered in Muscat, Oman, owned by the Goverment of Oman, produces almost one million barrels of crude oil per day.

8 National Oil Corporation, Libya (NOC)

The National Oil Corporation is founded in 1970, a company based in Libya and is owned by the Government of Libya. Company produces c2.2 million barrels of oil per day. 

9. The Bahrain National Oil Company (BANOCO), 

The Bahrain National Oil Company, wholly owned by the Bahrain Government, and is the holding company for the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).

Image from http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/

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OFFSHORE RIGGER

A Rigger is someone who sets up equipment and prepares it before work can commence. The term "rigger" originates from sailing where sailors were responsible for raising the sails and rigging on board a ship. Scaffolding is a temporary structure built to support people and materials during repairs and maintenance of buildings and other structures. 

In the oil and gas industry, scaffolding is used on oil rigs to allow access to parts of the rig for maintenance and other work. An offshore scaffold will usually have to obtain safety certification for working at extreme heights. 

A rigger in the oil extraction industry usually works on drilling rigs. Equipment on the rig is used to bore a hole deep into the earth with the drill pipe. The rigger manages all aspects of the machinery used and monitors the rig operation. His responsibility is to ensure that the oil is being pumped out at a safe level so pipes do not burst. When oil is transported to a tanker, the rigger fits and links all the pipes together.

Minimum qualifications:

Over 18 years of age.

Physically and mentally must be fit (you will be required to pass a physical exam before being hired).

Non-smoker, and abstain from alcohol during your long 14 to 21 day shifts.

Willing and able to take on the unusual schedule of an oil rig worker. 

Duties & Responsibility:

Maintaining drilling rig engines and motors, including the fluid systems

Managing hydraulic and mechanical systems for the whole drilling assembly

Ensuring proper fluid and fuel balance and making sure pressure is always maintained at a safe level

Controlling and monitoring the safe movement of heavy equipment

Mobilizing the rig by setting it up

Tearing the rig down when the job is finished

Making sure all safety regulations are followed

Oil riggers who working on offshore oil platforms, setting up an equipment to extract oil from deep beneath the ocean. 

Certificates:

Oil & Gas experience as a Rigger

OPITO Approved Rigger Assessment

BOSIET

Survival

Current Medical and an offshore survival certification

MIST

NVQ Level 3 in Moving Loads or Capital Steel Plant Structures is preferred but not essential

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) (If you want to join US Offshore)

Work Schedule

The schedule for most workers consists of working 14 to 21 consecutive days before being given time off.

Salary

The average salary of a Rigger is $44,180. Salaries start from $26,360 and go up to $63,860. 

The average salary for a Rigger may vary depending on several factors, like level of education, amount of experience, industry, company size and location.

Image courtesy of Quickr.com

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OFFSHORE CREWS

An Offshore Platform rig is a large structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, or to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing. In many cases, the platform contains facilities to house the workforce as well.

An Offshore drilling unit operate by professionals Crew and management system are often the real determining factor concerning MODU performance and safety. This is often overlooked during the flurry of cost analysis, equipment evaluation, operating expenses assessment, and number crunching during bid analysis and MODU selection. It is often said that the low bid does not always give the best performance. A complete “hard” (equipment) and “soft” (crew, management, and safety) analysis must be done to make the best decision.

These policies and procedures should be reinforced throughout the personnel hierarchy, from the chief executive officer to the roustabout on the rig, in order to have a successful and well-performing organization and rig operation.

The staffing and organization of a MODU vary with each drilling contractor, operator, and country, and are controlled by classification and registration requirements. The most senior person on the MODU is usually the offshore installation manager (OIM) who is, by law, the “master” or “captain” of the vessel. The OIM is responsible for all departments, including:

• Drilling
• Maintenance
• Marine
• Auxiliary services
• Safety

The following are personal who working in the offshore platform:

1. OIM (offshore installation manager);

2. Operations team leader (OTL);

3. Offshore operations engineer (OOE) who is the senior technical authority on the platform;

4. PSTL or operations coordinator for managing crew changes;

5. Dynamic positioning operator, navigation, ship or vessel maneuvering (MODU), station keeping, fire and     gas systems operations in the event of incident;

6. Automation systems specialist, to configure, maintain and troubleshoot the process control systems    (PCS), process safety systems, emergency support systems and vessel management systems;

7. Second mate to meet manning requirements of flag state, operates fast rescue craft, cargo operations, 8. Fire team leader;

9. Third mate to meet manning requirements of flag state, operate fast rescue craft, cargo operations, fire      team leader;

10. Ballast control operator to operate fire and gas systems;

11. Crane operators to operate the cranes for lifting cargo around the platform and between boats;

12. Scaffolders to rig up scaffolding for when it is required for workers to work at height;

13. Coxswains to maintain the lifeboats and manning them if necessary;

14. Control room operators, especially FPSO or production platforms;

15. Catering crew, including people tasked with performing essential functions such as cooking, laundry       and cleaning the accommodation;

16. Production techs to run the production plant;

17. Helicopter pilot(s) living on some platforms that have a helicopter based offshore and transporting      workers to other platforms or to shore on crew changes;

18. Maintenance technicians (instrument, electrical or mechanical).

19. Fully qualified medic.

20. Radio operator to operate all radio communications.

Incidental personnel

Drill crew will be on board if the installation is performing drilling operations. A drill crew will normally comprise:

1. Toolpusher
2. Driller
3. Roughnecks
4. Roustabouts
5. Company man
6. Mud engineer
7. Motorman
8. Derrickhand
9. Geologist
10. Welders and Welder Helpers

Well services crew will be on board for well work. The crew will normally comprise:

1. Well services supervisor
2. Wireline or coiled tubing operators
3. Pump operator
4. Pump hanger and ranger

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_platform

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How beginners can work in offshore

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Finding a jobs is not easy, need relevant experience or training. Working on a rig means you should consider whether hands-on practical work offshore in a rotational position is right for you. If you want to start a career in the offshore sector, you dont  have experienced or knowledge to work in offshore, there are still some positions offshore, which may fit your skills.

You could be starting out as Maintenance Roustabout, General Roustabout, Greenhand, Floorhand or Roughneck. All these jobs are easy to get into with highschool education or some college.

If you have not been offshore before a number of companies will require additional training for entry level candidates. If you have a trade (i.e welder, electrician, mechanic, medic etc) the industry is starting to recommend MIST training. This is an introduction to some of the safety systems used in the offshore environment. This course can be completed at a number of training facilities. If you do not have a trade we will require a Greenhands training course which is a more in depth course which prepares you for working in this hazardous environment.

There are a few basic requirements for someone who wants to work offshore.

1. Provide Basic Offshore Safety and Induction & Emergency Training (BOSIET) certificate.  

    This is certificate is valid for 4 years. BOSIET is required for working in offshore industries.

    In addition, if you want to work in Norway then you will need to complete and OLF certificate. 

2. Provide offshore medical certificate. 

    This medical examination should be done by a doctor or medical centre.

In some europe countries you may need some extra certificates, like in The Netherlands and Belgium you will need a so called VCA or VCA-VOL training to be allowed to work in the harbor / port. It's a basic training which stands for (roughly translated) "Safety, Health and Enviroment Checklist". This certificate is not only related to harbor jobs, but could be required in other industries as well. In The Netherlands a VCA certificate is one of the most important certificates for working safe, and is therefore mandatory.

If you want to join Maritime/Shipping industry, you need STCW 95 Basic Training. This certificate is an International standard for anybody who wants to work on seagoing ships, fishing boats or yachts. Which means you will need it to work in Marine, Maritime and Seagoing jobs, but also when you ‘re a sailor or when you pilot seaworthy motor yachts. 

In any case, and related to any job or position onboard a Rig, you will have the need to know what you're doing. You will need the skills and experience which is needed for you to perform adequately at your job.

The Top 18 Offshore Drilling Companies

Many of the best known companies that drill offshore are on this list of offshore drilling companies.

According to Technavio analysts, the top 18 companies in the Offshore Drilling industries in the world as follows:

1. "A top-tier oilfield service company with a century-long track record, Baker Hughes delivers solutions that help oil and gas operators make the most of their reservoirs. Our history of technology innovation is a cornerstone of our success. Local teams are supported by global centers of excellence where scientists push the boundaries of value-adding technology to find solutions for progressively more complex technical challenges."

 2. Ensco

"Ensco plc brings energy to the world as a global provider of offshore drilling services to the petroleum industry. For more than 25 years, the company has focused on operating safely and going beyond customer expectations. Ensco is ranked first in total customer satisfaction with top honors in eight of 14 categories in the latest annual survey by EnergyPoint Research. Operating one of the newest ultra-deepwater rig fleets and the largest premium jackup fleet, Ensco has a major presence in the most strategic offshore basins across six continents."

 3. Halliburton

“Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With more than 75,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities in approximately 80 countries, the company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir – from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field.”

4. Seadrill

"Seadrill is a leading offshore deepwater drilling company, aiming to be our customers' most important partner in making oil and gas available in a safe and cost-effective manner. The company operates a versatile fleet of 69 units that comprises drillships, jack-up rigs, semi-submersible rigs and tender rigs for operations in shallow to ultra-deepwater areas in harsh and benign environments."

5. Transocean

"Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. The company specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services, and believes that it operates one of the most versatile offshore drilling fleets in the world. Transocean operates a fleet of 79 mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 46 high-specification floaters, 22 midwater floaters and 11 high-specification jackups. In addition, the company has nine ultra-deepwater drillships and five high-specification jackups under construction.”

6. Weatherford

"Weatherford (NYSE/Euronext Paris/SIX:WFT) is one of the largest global providers of products and services that span the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention cycles of oil and natural gas wells. Weatherford is a new breed of service company—one that can provide the industry with extended products and services, more efficient operations, more powerful research and development capabilities and greater geographic diversity."

7. Atwood Oceanics

"Atwood  Oceanics is a leading offshore  drilling company engaged in the drilling and  completion of exploration and development wells  for the global oil and gas industry.   The company currently owns 13 mobile  offshore drilling units and is constructing  three ultra-deepwater drillships. The company was founded in 1968 and  is headquartered in Houston, Texas.   Atwood Oceanics, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATW."

8. COSL

"China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) is an integrated oilfield service solution provider with nearly 50 years of experience in offshore operation. With its four major business segments of geophysical services, drilling services, well services and marine & transportation services covering the exploration, development and production phases of oil and gas industry, COSL is an all-round offshore oilfield service company with integrated functions and bundled service chain in China and even in the world. COSL possesses the largest fleet of offshore oilfield services facilities in China."

9. Diamond Offshore

"Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.  is a leader in offshore drilling, providing contract drilling services to the energy industry around the globe with a total fleet of 45 offshore drilling rigs, including seven rigs under construction.  Diamond Offshore's fleet consists of 33 semisubmersibles, three of which are under construction, five dynamically positioned drillships, four of which are under construction, and seven jack-ups."

10. Fred Olsen Energy

"The offshore fleet of Fred. Olsen Energy ASA with subsidiaries (the Group) consists of two ultra/deepwater units and five mid-water semi-submersible drilling rigs in addition to one tender support vessel and one accommodation unit. Three of the semi-submersible drilling rigs are operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. In addition, one ultra deepwater drillship was delivered end of February 2014. The Group has one other newbuild under construction, an ultra deepwater semi submersible for harsh environment scheduled to be delivered in 3Q 2015."

 11. Gyrodata

"Gyrodata's precision survey services have had a major impact on drilling and production operations. High accuracy surveys assure precise wellbore targeting and reservoir delineation, and they prevent costly problems such as missed objectives and wellbore collisions in multiwell structures. Today, Gyrodata is the leading supplier of precision wellbore survey services as well as industry leading directional drilling technology and services to the energy, mining, environmental and construction industries."

12. KCA Deutag

"KCA DEUTAG is one of the largest international drilling contractors. The company employs 8,000 staff in more than 22 countries and it had revenue in 2012 of US$1.7 billion. KCA DEUTAG is currently the drilling operations contractor on 33 offshore platforms worldwide and owns and operates a fleet of mobile offshore drilling units consisting of 2 jack-ups and 3 self erecting tender barges. The company also owns and operates a fleet of more than 60 land drilling rigs."

13. Maersk Drilling

"Maersk Drilling has an ambition of becoming a significant contributor to the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group with a profit (NOPAT) of USD 1bn by 2018, while conducting incident free operations. In addition to the three drillships and four jack-up rigs in order, the modern fleet counts 17 drilling rigs including deepwater semi-submersibles and high-end jack-up rigs. Maersk Drilling employs an international staff of 4,000 people and generated a profit of USD 528m in 2013."

14. Nabors

"Nabors owns and operates the world's largest land-based drilling rig fleet and has one of the largest completion services and workover and well servicing rig fleets in North America. The company is a leading provider of offshore platform workover and drilling rigs in the U.S. and multiple international markets. Nabors provides innovative drilling technology and equipment, directional drilling and comprehensive oilfield services in most of the significant oil and gas markets in the world."

15. Noble

"Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 77 offshore drilling units (including two ultra-deepwater drillships and four high-specification jackup drilling rigs currently under construction), located worldwide, including in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, Mexico, Brazil, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, West Africa, the Middle East, India, Malaysia and Australia."

16.  Rowan Companies

"Rowan Companies is a global provider of offshore contract drilling services, focused on operating safely and efficiently to exceed customer expectations.  We are a market leader with one of the youngest fleets in our industry, including four ultra-deepwater drillships, three of which are currently under construction, and 30 jack-up rigs, 19 of which are rated high-specification.  Our mission is to be recognized by our customers as the most efficient and capable provider of demanding contract drilling services."

 17. Scientific Drilling

"Scientific Drilling International (SDI) is an independent directional drilling and wellbore navigation, surveying and logging service company serving customers worldwide.The company serves a diverse range of customers in all energy sectors. Besides participating in some of the most complex conventional and unconventional oil and gas projects in the world, SDI also has extensive experience in working on geothermal wells and drilling horizontal laterals in coalbed methane reservoirs."

18. Superior Energy Services

"Superior Energy Services offers drilling-related and production related solutions to energy producers. We provide a diverse set of products and services in select global markets that add value to our customers' operations with an emphasis on quality, integrity and safe operations."

 image courtesy: HELIX http://offshorecrews.com/how-the-stuff-work/the-top-18-offshore-drilling-companiesESG TWITTER

the difference between IADC or IWCF

There are many people who still do not understand the difference between IADC or IWCF. We would have a little review of what is the difference of the two. 

Both IWCF and IADC focuses on training and testing (examination) on well control, the consensus of regulators around the world is that either provide the required basic foundation of well control training.

1. IADC: 

The IADC programme called WellCap (initiated and used in the USA and by many American     companies). 

IADC (International Association of Drilling Contractors): This Wellcap certificate is required for those     who are working for the rig contractors. Not only every body is working for rig contractors has to be     having this certificate, but only Assistant Driller, Driller, Tour Pusher, Tool Pusher, OIM positions.     Wellcap can be issued by an IADC company. It has also a validity of 2 years, but it can be renewed a     little bit easier compared to IWCF.

Some operators don’t accept IADC for its drilling rig contractor’s     personnel. So in this case Drilling Contractor’s personnel have to get the IWCF instead.

2. IWCF

The IWCF assessment and certification programme (initiated in Europe). IWCF is International    WellControl School forum. Head office is in Netherland, This is non-commercial organization.

For those who are working at RIG SITE as Senior Drilling Supervisor, Drilling Supervisor - DSV    (consultant position), Well-site Engineer, need to have a valid IWCF. IWCF is valid for only 2 years,    after two years, you need to renew it. It costs around 2,000 - 2,5000 USD/ seat (1 week training). There    is quite a lot of organizations who are able to provide this kind of training (Aberdeen drilling school, Rig    Train, PTTCO training (Thailand), Equilibria well Control etc.). 

It is also quite tough for a young    engineer to get passed the IWCF test, you should pass 1, practical assessment (you need to be familiar    with rig floor equipment so you can physically kill the well by yourself with a help from a driller) 2; P &    P is Procedures and Principles (all calculations and theory - this should not a big deal for an engineer); 3,    Equipment (you should have certain knowledge on equipment in order to pass it test). Unless you gained   70 points for each test, otherwise you are failed! To reseat, you have to wait, and it is costly also.

IWCF   is accepted by all Operators in the world, and it a MUST criteria for DSV working at rig site.

image courtesy: learntodrillhttp://offshorecrews.com/how-the-stuff-work/the-difference-between-iadc-or-iwcf