Offshore Jobs in 2011

[Captain Ron]

After getting through one of the worst years in the history of the oilfield (hiring wise), it looks like things might be improving somewhat.

After the Horizon disaster, the government's official ban was lifted in October, but regulators have yet to allow drilling to resume in water deeper than 500 feet despite mounting political pressure from congressional Republicans and Gulf Coast Democrats to reopen one of the nation's primary energy fields.

Since the end of September, seven companies have ordered 11 ultra-deepwater rigs. Along with those firm orders, eight companies have disclosed options for 14 more such vessels. These rigs cost hundreds of millions of dollars each, and with money as tight as it is these days, there is NO WAY this type of cash outlay would be committed unless something was up.

Something has got to give somewhere and soon. We are looking for a sharp increase in the price of crude (it has already gone over $100 a barrel just last week) and are expecting all of a sudden a lot of jobs to be opening up.

We are still hearing from recruiters that finding dependable people who are willing to work is their top problem for 2011.

Our Advice: Stay away from resume blasting web sites! Do your own research and applying (the method most recommended by recruiters), keep a log of who you have applied with and when and stay in contact with them on a regular basis till you get hired or tire of trying.

THERE ARE NO MAGIC FORMULAS  OR SYSTEMS. Honest, focused work will get you further along than anything else. These are some of the worst economic times the world as seen, with millions of people out of work, to it makes GOOD SENSE to use the tried and proven methods in finding employment.

As always, our recommendation has been to use a one on one personal contact method (the one the recruiters recommend).
http://www.offshoreguides.com/direct_access_contacts.asp

We have been promoting this method for years and found it has track record of proven success.

Cheers!
Cpt Ron & Staff

[chefm]

Captain Ron,
             I have several questions for you..My MMD card expired in april of this year didnt notice till was to late,can I get it reinstated if I go to Houston without having to go thru the whole course again? Also will a company hire me then send me to go get the certifications I need? I donot have that kind of money to do this on my own.In need of a job at this point unemployed and need help..
                                   Thank you,
                                      Chef M

[Captain Ron]

Melissa,

Thanks for your post! These are some good posts you are bringing up, I'll do my best to provide helpful answers:
I don't think you have to go to Houston to renew your MMC, I believe can do it online. http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/credentials/renewal/renewal.pdf

If you don't already have one, you will be required to get a TWIC card. As for other certifications, it just depends on each company. My advice would be to go ahead and start applying with different companies, try and make some personal contacts with recruiters. This would be a good question to ask them and develop personal relationships.
Hope this helps! Keep us posted as to your results.
Cpt Ron