Life at a Rig: Part Deux

I ended my last post with "I'll post more on this subject tomorrow...". What most of you didn't know is that "tomorrow" means 2-3 weeks later here in Alaska. In all seriousness, sorry for the lack of updates. Schlumberger requires FET's (Field Engineer Trainees) to take an entrance exam before attending ENG 1 -the training course in Abu Dhabi; if one were to fail this exam twice, then they are most likely fired. As you can imagine, I was busy studying for this exam...and skiing on the weekends. I passed the exam, and now I am back on the slope working. I will try to be more vigilant at updating this blog and keeping you, the reader, in the loop.

So, back to the whole life on the slope topic.
Field Engineers only stay at the Schlumberger camp for short periods of time unless there is specific business at camp they need to handle. A FE (Field Engineer) will leave SLB camp for a forward rig camp. These camps tend to be located closer to the actual drilling sites, allowing for an easy commute to the rig and their living quarters. The general process of checking in and rooms is almost identical to that described in the previous post, but each camp has their own process.

The FE's will have already worked out who is on days (the more experienced hand usually) and nights. After getting settled in, they will rig up the logging unit (placing sensors, running cables, etc...) and will get ready for the job. Usually after rigging up, the hand who should be asleep takes the truck back to camp and gets some rest while the other hand continues preparing for the job. Lunch is usually brought to the rig for the roughnecks, roustabouts, and general rig crew while the supporting cast (company man, toolpusher, any service companies) eat in the company man's camp.

The FE at camp will drive the truck to the rig site and change out with the on-duty hand before his/her shift starts. Thus, the cycle is renewed.

Hope this sheds a little light on day to day life. Let me know in the comments section below (you can comment without an account) if you want more detail on any aspect of the life, or just want to hear about something else. Keep in touch.