What To Expect On The Oil Rigs In North Dakota

[PatriotEyes]

Many of the things said on this post are TRUE! Having said that, not all oil rigs operate the same; I work for an oil rig up in Williston, ND. The number one issue is always SAFETY, period. People think that you have to be a tough guy/gal with mouth of a Marine corps drill sergeant! No, you have to respect each other and help one another, otherwise you will get fired before you even start. You want to know about Fracking and oil drilling in ND then send me an email; I will fill you in.

[basketballmadman]

I know you said about this in the vid but is there a place were I can grad a qik bite to eat or do I have to bring my own food to the rig ???

[poetskinny]

@basketballmadman You have to bring your own food to the rigs. There are no vending machines or anything at the rig sight and since you don't really get a lunch break it's not like you can leave and go get something to eat from somewhere else.

[SmokeScreen1976]

Thanks for posting. I'm looking at working on the rigs up northern canada & trying to figure things out. Thanks for the heads up on what to expect on the rigs. All the best to ya.

[poetskinny]

@SmokeScreen1976 Thanks man...glad I could be of some help.

[katyhigh145]

@poetskinny I was wondering if you would be able to give me some advise. I am a 21 year old student studying to be a petroleum eng. and internships are a big part of what is we need in order to graduate. My problem is that most companies dont hire interns without any kind of field experience, thus I was told by my peers to try to get a job on a rig or service company. my question to you is that do you think/ have you seen rigs pick up employes who can only work for about 3 months

[applemac5]

Dude ! Thank you SOOOO much for posting this ! Although there no way I can physically do this, it is GREAT of you to post this for the people and to all the doubters out there, I want you to know he is telling the truth about these jobs.I have back up proof. Thanks again for the great post!

[poetskinny]

@applemac5 No problem. And thank you for watching and backing me up. Every now and then I get comments from people who don't believe some of the things I say in these videos so it's good to have someone agree with me.

[showmethemoney572]

tim i appreciate the videos but im havin problems findin boots i wear a 16 but another question im a big dude is that a plus im 6 feet 6 as far as money goes is 5 grand enough to take off up there and i dont have a car what do you think i should do in your opinion youve been there so this is why i ask i dont know what im walkn into you know

[poetskinny]

@showmethemoney572 I would definitely suggest going with a car. It will be very hard to get around with no vehicle. As far as being a big dude I don't think it's a plus really, there are guys of all sizes working on the rigs. I really don't know what to say about the boots except that maybe you can look online and find some.

[mpfsupra]

he's more helpful than some of the local pricks that are there.

[mpfsupra]

i'm at the point where i wanna move there

[SCUBONZIES]

thanks ock i live in philly so weather i canz deal walking to school in the 80 s hard cool wind man

[TheTHDWI]

I am 19 right now and will be 20 before I would possibly head out there looking for work, my question is, what is the employment outlook people of my age? Do the employers try to get the older workers, or do they really not care too much either way? Thanks

[poetskinny]

@TheTHDWI I think there are pros and cons to being only 20. On the one hand employers know you probably don't have that much work experience. But on the other hand they realize they are getting a young, strong person that if things go well could be an asset to the company for a long time to come. It's all in how you present yourself. Short answer: No, I don;t think they prefer older workers or younger.

[TheTHDWI]

@poetskinny Thanks the advice! Your videos are nice pieces of insight into the industry.

[WatchPolitician]

How is the jobs for teachers there?

[poetskinny]

@WatchPolitician Not sure, but I would imagine that with all the people moving there with their families recently they might need teachers

[blindsidedagain]

Thank you for doing this video.

[poetskinny]

@blindsidedagain No problem...thanks for watching

[crazylots]

If you could discourage someone from not going who is naive and would wuss out anyway, what would you say?

[rayjay8066]

Any experienced rig hands in the Wichita Kansas area looking to head North to work. Feel free to contact me as well.

[rayjay8066]

ELtercermundista82. rayjay8066 is also my yahoo email address. You can contact me there and we can see what we can do to assist you in your endeavor.

[rayjay8066]

Excellent job on the informative video young man. I am the Senior Driller on a Cyclone rig, and your presentation will be extremely helpful to those interested in our career field. In fact, I plan on showing it to a friend that I just hired from Oklahoma. Will save me a lot of explanations. And for your viewer wanting to know about rigs in MT. My rig and several several others; Patterson included are in the Sidney area.

[poetskinny]

@rayjay8066 Thanks for the information man. It's good to hear from someone still working on the rigs and who obviously has been on them for a long time. Thank you for watching.

[ELtercermundista82]

@rayjay8066 What r my chances of getting a job there? im saving money to go look for a job in the rigs.

[wabdatl]

Great video; thanks for making it.

[poetskinny]

@wabdatl No problem man...glad you found it useful

[1960markN]

Very informative---from a guy who obviously knows the deal

[paddlepunk0481]

Hows it going? Im about to start troops to roughnecks (military job transition) and head up to ND in june. My gf is moving with me and my concern is that I wont be able to find a house for her within an hour of where ill be working. I dont have any problems staying in a jobsite trailor or camp but what would be your suggestion for a place for my gf and dogs?

[poetskinny]

@paddlepunk0481 When you are working on the rigs the location where you are working will change every few months or so because your rig moves once the drilling is complete. So it will be hard to find a place for her that is always an hour or so away. I recommend finding her a place to stay in one of the bigger cities in the area (they still have lots of housing that isn't sky high) and then making the drive to see her sometimes it may be an hour or so sometimes it may be shorter.

[paddlepunk0481]

@poetskinny Thanks man. Im originally from Western Montana so I think Maybe ill find a place headed towards Billings. Do you know if any of the rigs have crossed the state line into MT or if there are future plans to?

[poetskinny]

@paddlepunk0481 Not sure if any of the rigs have crossed into MT but that's definitely something I would ask any company I was applying for. They might be able to get you on a rig closer to that state or in that direction.

[mttviper]

@paddlepunk0481 I just got off a rig about 15 miles from the border (Williston area obviously), but I heard there was one about 20 mins over the border near us. (believe it was near Fairview?)

[mttviper]

@poetskinny Last I looked, the only readily available apartments in Minot were an upwards of 1200$/month. Can only imagine how Bismarck or Dickinson would even be now.

[poetskinny]

@mttviper I don't think it's so bad in Bismarck...I went on craigslist real quick this morning and found a 3/3 house for rent for $750 a month

[mttviper]

@poetskinny Yea, I could see that. Bismarck's always been bigger and it's off i94 instead of hwy 2, so that price range maybe a little more reasonable in that area? Not really sure, all I know is when I tried to get an apartment in Minot all that was left was the ridiculously priced ones that were just being built. if that's the price in Bismarck, I should just forget Minot!

[jaybee123100]

what do you think about if I just went out there and got any job maybe fastfood or walmart. do they pay good? try it just to get established. I'm desperate. thanks for everything

[poetskinny]

@jaybee123100 When I was there Walmart and the fast food places in Willston were starting off at like 11 or 12 dollars and hour. And they were hiring like crazy. Not sure if it's still that high a demand but I'm sure you could pull up some of those places on the internet and call and ask. If you are desperate I say go for it...it's money.

[1987fetus]

Hey timmy.. Had a question.. How do you go about applying for the oil rig jobs? Do you just walk up to the rig and say give me an application.. Or does every company have an office somewhere we can go try to get hired?

[poetskinny]

@1987fetus All the companies have offices in the general area that you can find on Google Maps. You can also go online and most of the companies have online applications out can fill out.

[TheVet1971]

Thanks Timmy. Well thought out and informative vid very well articulated. Keep em commin

[iamchrisstone]

do you know where we can find more info on the truck driving jobs available?

[alessio272]

How shall your dress when temperatures plumet to -40 and below? How long is the job on the rig as far as months?

[poetskinny]

@alessio272 You definitely want to wear lots of layers. Most of the clothes you will need for that type of weather you have to buy in ND because they don't sell the type of heavy duty gear you need in all states. Your best bet is to ask around when you get there and find out what exactly everyone else is wearing.

The job on the rigs lasts until the oil runs out I guess which shouldn't be for a long time.

[valleymarvin]

@poetskinny In a previous video you spoke about working with Precision drilling. My question over all how good of a company was it. worked hours is any thing over 40 considered over time. their housing is it man camp or on your own?

[poetskinny]

@valleymarvin Precision was a great company to work for. Once I had a problem with my paycheck getting mailed to the wrong address but that was it. Yeah anything over 40 hours is OT, and they have man camps for all their rigs.

[valleymarvin]

@poetskinny Thank you so much for the info. I had been to your blog. will be calling them on Tuesday. Hope all goes well. what position did you work as you i am 150 pounds soaking wet but been working in sawmills and farms.

[PREPARE4THEHYPOCRITE]

hi, i'll be getting my cdl soon and i was wondering how much experience/time they require to get an oil transport job/truck driving job. thanks.

[poetskinny]

@PREPARE4THEHYPOCRITE I'm not sure about what kind of experience they are looking for for truck driving jobs. Don't really know too much about that field up there. Sorry.

[cahrlottertohomes]

Can anyone help with contacts or any companies hiring entry-level employees driving from Duluth MN email charlottertohomes@gmail.com

[floatpool]

Hey, did you make the tongs bite? Did you get a skyhook and a key to the V-Door? Worms corner isn't a bad gig, give it time you'll learn. I did the same thing you did 30 years ago in south texas. You're a worm now, but pretty soon you'll be and experienced worm! lol. Do you work on a rig that has a kelly spinner or do they use a spinning chain?

[Kdedie2]

Sorry I forgot to thank you as well for helping your vids are great and informal thank you

[Kdedie2]

Thanks buddy I to plan on leaving for north Dakota I am from buffalo ny so I'm used to the cold. Question are there alot of people leavin because of the cold and are all the rig jobs 2 wk on 2 wk off.

[usoocali]

your vid's by far are the best man! n i wanna thank you for taking the limited time u have to fill us in man most people dont reach out there n help but thank you. a good man

[poetskinny]

@usoocali No problem man. Glad I could be of some help.

[baileya83]

You informed that it took you about three months to get on. Are there other jobs that are available that you can get to work much quicker instead of waiting three months. This is my last option and I can't afford to wait three months. I need to get to work quick and I'm praying that I can do that when getting up there.

[poetskinny]

@baileya83 There were tons of places hiring when I was up there. Pretty much all the stores, resturants, etc were hiring immediately. Sometimes it just took longer to get hired at the higher paying jobs because everyone was applying for them.

[baileya83]

I'm coming from TN with family and friends. We are leaving in the next three weeks. I want to know if there are females that are working on some of the oil rigs? Would you suggest to go threw an staffing agency?

[poetskinny]

@baileya83 I didn't see any females on the rigs. That doesn't mean there weren't any, I just didnt see any where I was. I don't know anything about the staffing agency situation in ND as far as getting a long term job. I know a lot of people work for the temp agencies up there for a few days or weeks until they get hired on the rigs or wherever.

[upcominZ]

Hi, quick question. I plan on going to work in willingston late january or early feb for the first time. I hear it gets really cold during the winter. Is facial hair allowed?

Do you know if the pay is better on the rig or on the pipelines in ND? Do you have any tips for getting the best pay possible?

[Happy88dog]

Thank you very much! It is totally different than I thought, It was a valuable imformation for outsider. Thanks again.

[poetskinny]

@Happy88dog No problem man. 

[bosunwrath]

Thank you so much for your vids! Im making plans to head to the Bakken between March and June and I was wondering if you had tips on what to bring with you or not to bring? I hate to ask, but for budgeting purposes how long after you start working do you get your first check?

[poetskinny]

@bosunwrath It depends on the pay schedule of the company you work for. I had to wait 2 weeks before I got a check and then most companies mail the check to your home address so it takes a little longer to get. You can do direct deposit but it takes up to two months for that to go through.

I would recommend taking lots of spare clothes. A good pair of steel toed slip on boots with lots of traction. I will try to think of more things and list them all in a video soon.

[WatsonPK]

im about to be 20 and December and have been looking for a job for a while in California but i cant find anything im seriously considering driving up there. i herd people getting hired the first day they get there.

[poetskinny]

@WatsonPK Depending on what jobs you apply for it is possible to get hired on your first day. That doesn't happen that much in the oil rig jobs. It does take some time and effort to get hired on the rigs making the big money. It is possible though.

[arabemexicano219]

but how much money a new gay can make????and how long thaks to get this ammount of pay??/ thank you

[poetskinny]

@arabemexicano219 I started out making $24/hr +per diem+ mud pay which on a 7 day/12 hour a day week came out to about $2700 a week. I started making that as soon as I got hired on.

[thedomonator]

Very informative! I'm 20 and seriously considering going up there within the month. I don't mind hard work, I love it. But I am fearful that when I go up there I wont get a job working on a rig, which I prefer. I've recently read that it is difficult to get a job on the rig unless you know someone there. I want to go, but only on a sure thing. What should I do?

[poetskinny]

@thedomonator It is true that it is way easier to get a job on the rigs if you know someone. But it is still possible to get on the rigs even if you don't. It just takes more time and way more effort. If you are really serious about going and working on the rigs I recommend going and if need be working somewhere else (there are many other jobs that pay good money) until you can get on the rigs.

[yennsky]

Thanks so much for your videos. I am wanting to go to ND in March was planning on interviewing for a week or so coming back home and then go back when I have landed something. Some questions I had was 1. Was being black in ND an issue? I plan on moving the family out after 3 mo. 2nd Where do you get a hair cut in ND. Will need one after a few months

[poetskinny]

@yennsky I experienced no issues with being black in ND. You could tell that the locals weren't used to seeing many black people so some of them looked at you a little longer than normal but they weren't looks of hatred or anything. You are more likely to get dirty looks for being a roughneck than being black. Some people up there hate oil workers. To answer your second question I cut my own hair. But honestly you are son busy working you don't even worry about stuff like that much

[mikehh9]

This is so great man thank you sooooo much. Im leaving soon leaving my wife and kids behind and Im really happy this type of stuff is available thanks to people like you. I posted a AD on CraigsList and a guy that was in Minot, ND actually called and we talked for almost an hour. He was really helpful and I hope to talk to more people before I leave also.

[poetskinny]

@mikehh9 Hope it all works out for you up there man. That's cool you've at least got a contact up there in Minot.

[clipmom]

Again thanks for the info. Your videos are very helpful.

[poetskinny]

@clipmom No prob. Glad you could benefit from them.