Oil Pipeline work

[85oceanic]

Hey guys, has anyone here worked on an Oil Pipeline before? I'm considering making a change for the next few years to working on one. Thoughts? Suggestions?

[loxxrider]

I'm probably the closest you're going to get to oilfield work experience here. I can't say anything about pipeline in particular, but in general, the oilfield is pretty much all the same. Its pretty awesome if you're tough enough for it and don't mind being away from home and working LONG hours. You're expected to bust your butt and not complain. What do you want to know in particular? I've been exposed to just about all of it, but not pipeline stuff in particular. All I know is that it's pretty simple, but HARD manual labor.

[85oceanic]

I'm probably the closest you're going to get to oilfield work experience here. I can't say anything about pipeline in particular, but in general, the oilfield is pretty much all the same. Its pretty awesome if you're tough enough for it and don't mind being away from home and working LONG hours. You're expected to bust your butt and not complain. What do you want to know in particular? I've been exposed to just about all of it, but not pipeline stuff in particular. All I know is that it's pretty simple, but HARD manual labor.

Right on Chris, well, I am not afraid of the hard manual labor as long as it pays off in the end. My plan is to work 2-3 years away from home (Oregon) to build up enough seed money to start my business. And, if I can get my foot in the door I imagine I might be able to score a better position in terms of management/accounting/office work because of my degree, other work experience and other qualifications I have like my class B CDL.

The thing that really peaked my interest is my buddy that works in Ohio on a line is taking home 8K+/mo and that is just after his first promotion which for me is a lot of $$$ in comparison to what I am making now. I have realized recently that my current employment situation isn't going to ever allow for my to really "spread my wings" because of financial limitations. So, I have to make a change and to get me started, oil doesn't seem like a bad way to go.

So I guess my question is what kind of things are involved with pipeline work? Also, have you ran into anybody that has worked their way up from the bottom to better paying positions? What kind of opportunities are there for business/accounting degrees? All that kind of stuff. And any advice you could give would be awesome!

[pilihp2]

My buddy Cooper who was down at BBQ with me, has 2 friends that are going to north dakota to do pipeline work. Apparently it's 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. About 30k in 6 months and they can continue to work after that if they want to. They'll be outside digging ditches essentially doing what the big equipment can't do. In like -15 Degrees. The money seems awesome but I'm not sure I have the balls to handle that kind of cold. Or dig that much.

[loxxrider]

I'm probably the closest you're going to get to oilfield work experience here. I can't say anything about pipeline in particular, but in general, the oilfield is pretty much all the same. Its pretty awesome if you're tough enough for it and don't mind being away from home and working LONG hours. You're expected to bust your butt and not complain. What do you want to know in particular? I've been exposed to just about all of it, but not pipeline stuff in particular. All I know is that it's pretty simple, but HARD manual labor.

Right on Chris, well, I am not afraid of the hard manual labor as long as it pays off in the end. My plan is to work 2-3 years away from home (Oregon) to build up enough seed money to start my business. And, if I can get my foot in the door I imagine I might be able to score a better position in terms of management/accounting/office work because of my degree, other work experience and other qualifications I have like my class B CDL.

The thing that really peaked my interest is my buddy that works in Ohio on a line is taking home 8K+/mo and that is just after his first promotion which for me is a lot of $$$ in comparison to what I am making now. I have realized recently that my current employment situation isn't going to ever allow for my to really "spread my wings" because of financial limitations. So, I have to make a change and to get me started, oil doesn't seem like a bad way to go.

So I guess my question is what kind of things are involved with pipeline work? Also, have you ran into anybody that has worked their way up from the bottom to better paying positions? What kind of opportunities are there for business/accounting degrees? All that kind of stuff. And any advice you could give would be awesome!

That's good money for anyone... Mind you, they pay the big money for a reason. It is going to be SHIT work... and the worst hours you can imagine. You'll be miserable for sure, that's just the way the oilfield is. If you can make the best of it though, it's worth it.

Movement within the oilfield is interesting... if you come in as any kind of engineer, generally you shoot straight to the top through your career if you want to. For general laborers, its mostly a career in the field. However, there are opportunities to move up. Generally you have your laborers, and if they're fairly sharp, eventually they will become some sort of equipment operator. The really good operators are sometimes presented with the opportunity to be a supervisor. THEN, the way up to the top is presented. That is a pretty slow track though. You'd probably be in 7-10 years before seeing a big move from what I've seen in the field.

If you have a bachelors, look into work as a company man.

[85oceanic]

Cool, thanks for the tips Chris! I will most definitely look into the company side of things to see what options I have. I have two incompletes to finish, in order to officially receive my BS in accounting, so it might be a good idea to look into that direction. If I can't find anything immediately, I don't mind "shit work". Before I went to school, I spent 2.5 years (1.5 of which as a foreman) at a local short line railroad. I did everything from manually changing ties, dig culverts, repair bridges, freeze my ass off in the middle of winter blowing out switches, etc. So, I seriously can handle the shit, manual labor stuff. BTDT. The gig will just be a 2-3 year thing for me. I can handle hard, lousy work for that long. THEN I will move on to bigger and better things.

[loxxrider]

Cool, thanks for the tips Chris! I will most definitely look into the company side of things to see what options I have. I have two incompletes to finish, in order to officially receive my BS in accounting, so it might be a good idea to look into that direction. If I can't find anything immediately, I don't mind "shit work". Before I went to school, I spent 2.5 years (1.5 of which as a foreman) at a local short line railroad. I did everything from manually changing ties, dig culverts, repair bridges, freeze my ass off in the middle of winter blowing out switches, etc. So, I seriously can handle the shit, manual labor stuff. BTDT. The gig will just be a 2-3 year thing for me. I can handle hard, lousy work for that long. THEN I will move on to bigger and better things.

Not sure if you got it, but company man is the name of a position in the oilfield

[85oceanic]

Not sure if you got it, but company man is the name of a position in the oilfield

Totally missed that. LOL

[40v4kq]

Well, if things don't work out with job hunting elsewhere then I say DO IT! . It would suck for you to be even further away but you need to do what is best for you and it seems like a good gig as long as it works out as promised/planned.

[PRY4SNO]

My two cents is to pick up a trade. You said you wanted to work a few years, well welding or steamfitting/pipefitting are 3 year trades and make good money. Could be a decent option... pipelining is the retarded, redheaded step-child of pipefitting/welding, and attracts a lot of the same kinds of people. Working in a plant offers the bonus of more intelligent people to work with (engineers and such), more vertical mobility/contracting opportunities, closer workplace to home and more steady/predictable hours.

Best part is, you work 2-3 years in the patch as a pipeliner and you get a sore back, short temper and a pay check. Work a few years as an apprentice and you get a trade ticket you can use nearly anywhere around the globe. Just sayin'.

[All_Euro]

Cool, thanks for the tips Chris! I will most definitely look into the company side of things to see what options I have. I have two incompletes to finish, in order to officially receive my BS in accounting, so it might be a good idea to look into that direction. If I can't find anything immediately, I don't mind "shit work". Before I went to school, I spent 2.5 years (1.5 of which as a foreman) at a local short line railroad. I did everything from manually changing ties, dig culverts, repair bridges, freeze my ass off in the middle of winter blowing out switches, etc. So, I seriously can handle the shit, manual labor stuff. BTDT. The gig will just be a 2-3 year thing for me. I can handle hard, lousy work for that long. THEN I will move on to bigger and better things.

Hey Ben, I worked in the pipline field for a while... started out labouring and worked my into operating heavy equipment. Overall I liked it better than the oil rigs but the lifestyle just wasn't for me. Feast or famine... work hard play hard... yadda yadda. With your experience on the railroads I don't think you'll run into many surprises work wise... small pipe is more hands on and a lot faster, pace wise, than big pipe.

I ended up leaving the oilfield / construction industry and going back to school - best thing I could have done. Even if you do work the piplines for a while, I'd consider finishing off your accounting degree. Funny enough, my career change ties in with your situation a little and may be helpful...

I'm self-employed now, designing houses, and the city I live in is home to the majority of the head offices for Canada's oil companies... this is where a lot of my work comes from. One of my projects was for the CEO of a big pipline firm who changed his career path (from engineering) to get into accounting and business. He's doing very well for himself to say the least. This same person had laboured in various types of jobs along the way too but had a vision and never lost sight of it.

Most people are lured into the oilfield for the same reason I was - the money - but somehow have little to nothing to show for it year after year... aside from a few toys and wild stories to no end It can be useful though... back in the day, I worked rigs to get money to travel to Australia for a year - mission accomplished - adiós.

Office guys and field guys generally don't mix but that's normally because of the office-guy attitude. By the sounds of it, you'd do well transitioning into the corporate side of things. If the company was big enough they may even help you finish off your degree

Hope that helps,
Monty

[kosoh]

Hey Ben;
Been working oilfield and oil production construction, pipelines, gas plants, SAGD, Heavy oil mining for last 25 years worldwide. You should have mentioned something at BBQ4. Basically three groups involved, Owner, EPCM (Engineering Contractor) and Contractor (the guys that do the actual building). Of the three best option is Owner but the pay reflects that - stability rather thanm $$$. Heavy Oil construction is boom and bust but construction management has many opportunities for staff or non wrenching, non digging opportunities such as Construction Coordinators, Contracts Administrators, Accounting, Scheduling, Cost control, Project Management and the like. There is (unless you have prior field experience) a slow grind on upward mobility. A lot of people I have coming in see the big bucks, want the big bucks, have all the degree paperwork (MBA's etc) but lack the field experience which is crucial. Generally I advise these sort of peop0le to come back in a couple of years when they have gained some practical stuff. Get a trade certification - welder, electrician/sparky, pipe fitter, iron worker as a backup. Keep mouth shut, head down, eyes open and learn.
Pipeline work as a field hand is NOT fun or romantic, its dirty, dangerous work with long hours, shitty living conditions ( even with the new camps), rotating shifts, -minus C temperatures ( e.g. try wrenching outside in -40C with a wind for a 12 hours shift then knowing you have only 13 more or 21 more similar days of the same - they well earn the $$$).
Office staff wise there are requirements for warehouse people, logistics guys, etc - all the skills neeede to build a project, either greenfield or brownfield in remote locations. You can see outline of qualifications reqiuired on job vacancies for most Engineering and Heavy Oil construction companies.
Dont know what market is like in the US but its booming here in Alberta Canada with a shortfall (i.e. lots of openings) in the marketplace for all areas (trades and office). e.g. we are short roughly 300 people
on the current project I am working on and bringing in Ironworkers from the US.
If I can help further give ssend me an e-mail or pm me with your e-mail.
As Monty says above - you have to be disciplined. Hard work, long hours, decent $$$ but your earn it - live hard/play hard. Saving is difficult but if you have a plan and live the plan it can work.
Cheers

Keith B

[85oceanic]

Dang, you guys are awesome. Thanks for all the great advice! It's given me something to really think about. Well, this week I decided if the opportunity arises for me to take a position, I am going to. I'm not afraid of the hard work and am willing to do what it takes to be a productive employee wherever I end up at. I do have a financial plan too, that is save, save, save.

Keith, will do! Thanks again guys!

[chaloux]

Also second the trade thing. Becoming an apprentice in plumbing gets you steam fitting as well (in Ontario) and then you can go join the union, work camp jobs, and make $50+ an hour, not to mention the insane benefits and pension.

I'm a plumbing apprentice right now. Reason is, no matter what I do after getting my ticket, even if I fail,I can go back to making a pretty damn decent wage. Anywhere.

I'm going to shoot for engineering when I'm licensed. Then if I can't do it, at least I can plumb after. Actually once I'm licensed, since I have a degree already, I'm hoping to teach plumbing if engineering doesn't work out.

The other morning I said to Sarah, "ugh, i don't want to go to work" to which she replied, "will you ever?" That was an eye opener, and just confirmed that plumbing really isn't my passion, at all. I need to be doing something like hank or Marc, or something with electric cars. Or driving race cars.