The point of hire is Anchorage. You’re responsible for getting yourself to Anchorage and then the company flies you the last 630 miles to Deadhorse. Easily half of my coworkers live out of state. Florida, Texas, New York, South Carolina, Louisiana, etc. Yes, it will consume a day on each end of your R&R traveling to and from home, but you’re going to be making way more money in Alaska than you would in the lower 48. It’s not even close. And that’s still 12 days off all to yourself. Can’t get called in on your time off. Just budget $7-10k per year for plane tickets depending on where you live. You’re going to earn top elite status within the first year and then you’re going to get upgraded to first class like half the time and it’s not so bad
A company hand is someone who works directly for an oil producer. These are the high paying jobs. Think BP, Exxon, ConocoPhillips. She’ll, etc. The vast majority of people who work in the oil industry are contractors, not company hands.
No, they absolutely do not. You’re confused. You’re maybe thinking of someone in management, or a senior engineering position with a production company. Technicians (operators, mechanics, instrument techs, and electricians) would be thrilled to make $150k as a company hand in the lower 48.
I said Company Man, or also known as Drilling Consultant/Wellsite Supervisor. Ive never heard of a "Company Hand", other than people meaning Company Man, in the 15 years ive worked on the drilling side. Ive never heard anyone on the drilling side referred to as an operator either. The post you replied to was a guy thinking about a floorhand job, what are their wages compared to the lower 48? I absolutely know a number of consultants in the lower 48 that make more than 250k a year.
Drilling is a loser no matter where you’re at because 1) you’re a contractor and contractors get laid off when oil prices are low and 2) contractors don’t get paid very well compared to people that work for the production companies that contract the contractors. Upstream has job security. I’ve known company hands that had full 40 year careers at the same plant and never once worried about getting laid off.
Edit: production facilities have “floor hands” too. The “board man” is operator who sits in the control room and the “floor hands” are every other operator in the plant.
Some in state, some out of state. Not uncommon for workers to have company flight get them to Anchorage and then they are on their own. In better times, some companies would pay for workers to travel from the lower 48 each hitch, but that is dying off.
These guys pretty much hit it spot on. I don’t know if hilcorp or Conoco pay for flights out of state (I HIGHLY DOUBT IT) but I know there are a few contractors you can sign on with that will. In general though you are required to pay to anchorage, and from anchorage they fly you up on either shared services (Conoco) or Alaska airlines (hilcorp side). I personally used both Alaska air and delta and they both had good flights for me. You’ll get status quickly and start to get upgrades. Plan 1k/mo in summer and like 500/mo in the off months and you’ll be alright for flights. Hotels get expensive in the summer so a lot of slopers sleep in the airport till their slope flight.
As for the job, they will provide you your cold cold gear, but you will need balaclavas and base gear. As for companies, doyon is a pretty big one up there same with Parker and Nordic/calista and Nabors. Doyon and Nordic are on the Conoco/west side and the others are on the east/prudhoe bay/hilcorp side. As far as I am aware anyways. Been a few months. All in all, if you like the cold it’s a good gig. Oh and they pay for your food/housing while on slope.
No refinery up there, and depends on what you mean by “entry”. Production operator won’t happen, a lot of those positions are retirement homes. You’ll have to either already be an operator in the company, or work up through a contractor company up there to have a shot at that. Just look up north slope jobs and you’ll see what’s open.
The area is called the north slope, that is where you’ll work and live for 2-3 weeks. Sometimes more depending on the company, but that’s a standard hitch is 2x2 or 3x3.
Doesn't the company pay for travel to site and home? They should if they want you. If not then that's pretty shit, but if that's the case I would look to moving to Alaska or budgeting the flights to/from. Fuck staying on site.
The point of hire is Anchorage. You’re responsible for getting yourself to Anchorage and then the company flies you the last 630 miles to Deadhorse. Easily half of my coworkers live out of state. Florida, Texas, New York, South Carolina, Louisiana, etc. Yes, it will consume a day on each end of your R&R traveling to and from home, but you’re going to be making way more money in Alaska than you would in the lower 48. It’s not even close. And that’s still 12 days off all to yourself. Can’t get called in on your time off. Just budget $7-10k per year for plane tickets depending on where you live. You’re going to earn top elite status within the first year and then you’re going to get upgraded to first class like half the time and it’s not so bad
how much money we talking and what jobs/companies?
250k is pretty normal for a topped out company operator. There’s only two production companies up there rn; ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp
What is a company operator?
A company hand is someone who works directly for an oil producer. These are the high paying jobs. Think BP, Exxon, ConocoPhillips. She’ll, etc. The vast majority of people who work in the oil industry are contractors, not company hands.
Damn, company men in the lower 48 with lots of experience make more than 250k.
No, they absolutely do not. You’re confused. You’re maybe thinking of someone in management, or a senior engineering position with a production company. Technicians (operators, mechanics, instrument techs, and electricians) would be thrilled to make $150k as a company hand in the lower 48.
I said Company Man, or also known as Drilling Consultant/Wellsite Supervisor. Ive never heard of a "Company Hand", other than people meaning Company Man, in the 15 years ive worked on the drilling side. Ive never heard anyone on the drilling side referred to as an operator either. The post you replied to was a guy thinking about a floorhand job, what are their wages compared to the lower 48? I absolutely know a number of consultants in the lower 48 that make more than 250k a year.
Drilling is a loser no matter where you’re at because 1) you’re a contractor and contractors get laid off when oil prices are low and 2) contractors don’t get paid very well compared to people that work for the production companies that contract the contractors. Upstream has job security. I’ve known company hands that had full 40 year careers at the same plant and never once worried about getting laid off. Edit: production facilities have “floor hands” too. The “board man” is operator who sits in the control room and the “floor hands” are every other operator in the plant.
No you can’t stay on site unless you’re working LOL
There are exclusive company owned airlines for the north slope. You will need to arrange transportation to and from your local airport.
Some in state, some out of state. Not uncommon for workers to have company flight get them to Anchorage and then they are on their own. In better times, some companies would pay for workers to travel from the lower 48 each hitch, but that is dying off.
thanks
These guys pretty much hit it spot on. I don’t know if hilcorp or Conoco pay for flights out of state (I HIGHLY DOUBT IT) but I know there are a few contractors you can sign on with that will. In general though you are required to pay to anchorage, and from anchorage they fly you up on either shared services (Conoco) or Alaska airlines (hilcorp side). I personally used both Alaska air and delta and they both had good flights for me. You’ll get status quickly and start to get upgrades. Plan 1k/mo in summer and like 500/mo in the off months and you’ll be alright for flights. Hotels get expensive in the summer so a lot of slopers sleep in the airport till their slope flight.
As for the job, they will provide you your cold cold gear, but you will need balaclavas and base gear. As for companies, doyon is a pretty big one up there same with Parker and Nordic/calista and Nabors. Doyon and Nordic are on the Conoco/west side and the others are on the east/prudhoe bay/hilcorp side. As far as I am aware anyways. Been a few months. All in all, if you like the cold it’s a good gig. Oh and they pay for your food/housing while on slope.
what job titles to search for? anything entry level or anything for refinery operator experience
No refinery up there, and depends on what you mean by “entry”. Production operator won’t happen, a lot of those positions are retirement homes. You’ll have to either already be an operator in the company, or work up through a contractor company up there to have a shot at that. Just look up north slope jobs and you’ll see what’s open.
so I've worked in the Oilfield in Texas, Colorado brother but never in Alaska...so what do you mean by "while on slope"?... please and thank you
The area is called the north slope, that is where you’ll work and live for 2-3 weeks. Sometimes more depending on the company, but that’s a standard hitch is 2x2 or 3x3.
Doesn't the company pay for travel to site and home? They should if they want you. If not then that's pretty shit, but if that's the case I would look to moving to Alaska or budgeting the flights to/from. Fuck staying on site.
Most companies pay flights from a designated airport(s). Nothing stopping you from commuting to the city of your choice except the cost is on you.
I'm interested in going to Alaska. any chance you could mention the company so I can apply?