Ever wondered what it’s like to work at sea on an offshore oil rig? For many, the idea of weeks spent away from family is daunting – as is the thought of gruelling labour in turbulent conditions.
For one worker, however, the job does come with its comforts – ones perhaps you’d never suspect – which he detailed in a video shared to TikTok. User Fifotok (@fifotok5) began by sharing the typical going rate for such a line of work, quoting an Australian employment agency as an example.
“Offshore oil rig salary statistics in Australia as of 13 November 2024, the represented employee makes $225,000 AUD (£115,000); to be more precise pay rate is $18,750 per month (£9,600), $4,327 (£2,216) per week, or $118.42 (£60.65) per hour,” according to Jooble.
“It’s s high because you’re literally living at sea,” Fifotok explained. He then shared footage of how staff get to their workplace via boat, explaining that sometimes they’re even flown in by helicopter.
Fifotok continued by revealing footage taken inside the living quarters, showcasing the staff canteen stocked with a range of beers, soft drinks and hot drinks, as well as tables with views of the ocean. “All of this is fresh food and obviously it’s free,” he said, pointing out dining options including steak, king prawns and pizza.
Fifotok continued his tour of the rig, commenting: “We also have a gym, a pool table, a table tennis table and a games room.” His video revealed an extensive array of equipment in the gym – with treadmills, rowing machines, weights and cardio workouts on offer should employees wish.
“There’s lots of stuff to do here,” he continued, before detailing his profession further. “I’m actually a crane operator on this oil rig to get stuff off ships onto the rig,” Fifotok said as he made his way across the walk deck. “Sometimes you can see sharks and dolphins down in the sea. If you throw food off, they come up and eat it – you would not wall to fall in there.”
Heading further out towards the bottom of the crane, Fifotok said although he “wouldn’t do this if it was windy”, oil rigs are safe to work on, insisting nobody has ever been injured at his workplace. “It’s actually fun,” he enthused. “It’s a different environment and we go home by helicopter after a few weeks. It’s great pay, free accommodation and free food.”
He added in a caption: “Working on a rig provides unique skills and experience, opening doors for advancement in the energy industry. Work-life balance – many rigs operate on rotational schedules (e.g. two weeks on, two weeks off), allowing extended time off between shifts.”
The video prompted scores of TikTok users to ask for more details, clearly impressed by the perks of the job. “Free food and gym?” pondered one person. “I’m sold where do I sign up?”
A second concurred: “Away from people and making 18k a month? Where do I sign up?” A third quipped: ” I am ready to devote my life to your company.” Whilst a fourth declared: “I would go there in a second.”
Oil and Gas warns prospective applicants, however: “There may also be a physical examination necessary to ensure that your body can withstand the pressures of working on an oil rig, and certain roles may have restrictions on height before an applicant be accepted. You will find more information about this in our segment on the level of education required for the many and varied roles available on an oil rig.”
They add: “Allow us to reiterate, however; working on an oil rig will have a impact on anybody’s health, so ensure that you are capable of such a job before considering a career in this industry. Such work can take a toll, both physically and mentally, and nobody should select such a career path lightly. Not only will working shifts and patterns frequently involve 12 hours at a time of gruelling manual labour, but it will also involve working away from home for prolonged periods of time. It’s called offshore working for a reason, after all.”