Cable to O&G?

[Russ Karnap]

What is the best way to make the jump from ROV cable work to O&G? I was an ROV/Cable Engineer for years and have been designing, building, testing, and using LARGE ROVs since then. How would someone make the transition?

[James McLauchlan]

By way of transition? Unfortunately there’s not much you can do really.

Tech/maintenance wise you should already be up to speed.

I do know that many cable guys (started in cable and never done the O & G thing) can not fly an ROV very well as, by nature of the job, they sit on the bottom and trundle around on skids or tracks 90%of the time. Not too much mid water touchdown monitoring going on either, other than for cable repair.
In other words much of a cable pilots life is in 2D. 3D spacial awareness needed for ROV construction work may be limited but can be picked up with time.

It’s easier to transition from O&G to Cable, but not necessarily as easy the other way around.

Other than the above send you CV out to all the usual suspects and makes some calls.

[K2]

An ROV is an ROV. Trenchers are far more labour intensive so as mentioned, you should be up to speed on the technical aspects. If not then stay put as the work environment is different. There’s no stopping for smoko, lunch or gin club when the sub is in bits on deck, you’ve usually got the client on your back and downtime ringing in your ears until the sub is back in the water.

Ex trenchers can make good pilots and bad as can O&G pilots on trenchers. That’s just something picked up over time. Unfortunately it may take some time as it’s rare guys will let an inexperienced pilot in the chair when the client is in the van and you’re doing high profile work.

If you think you have the edge then as James says, send out your CV and make some calls. Whatever you do, don’t B.S. on your CV, there’s nothing worse than someone arriving onboard who can’t cut the mustard. Even worse when other techs are on the same rate but have to carry this individual through his trip.

I flit between O&G and cable and it’s refreshing to work in different environments and on different bits of kit. It also helps keep you on your toes rather than becomming Mr Old Salt who’s been on drill support for the last 15 years 😆

Stay Safe & Good Luck

😉

[James McLauchlan]

I flit between O&G and cable and it’s refreshing to work in different environments and on different bits of kit. It also helps keep you on your toes rather than becomming Mr Old Salt who’s been on drill support for the last 15 years 😆

Good approach as that enables you to make the best of both markets during the usual yo-yo busy/quiet periods. It does make you more flexible/employable for sure :tup:

As an aside,
I would say if you are comfortable in the cable/alternative energy market right now you might wish to consider not jumping over right away. The ROV O & G market is a bit weird at the moment. On a global level there appears not to be massive amounts happening at this point in time. A few more months might be another story.

[Russ Karnap]

Thanks All,
I haven’t been working in cable for 4 or 5 years now. I’ve been working for ROV companies as an Ocean Engineer. I’ve been designing them then taking them to the field to test and use. I’ve been the Engineer most of the time, but have flown endless #’s of hours and am one of the Schilling expert manipulator operators here. I’ve been in the office too long now. I only left cable because of the HUGE downturn and the 75% layoff Tyco had a few years ago. I then went off as an owners rep for a couple of years before taking a couple of land based jobs doing the above work. I still get offshore a good bit in a variety of roles, but I’m itching to get back out full time, but cable work just couldn’t support me full time. It’s time to expand my talents. Sounds like maybe I should just go in at Pilot/Tech for a few jobs to get familiar with the rigs before I go back into Supervisory work???

Thanks again!
R.

[Robert Branch]

Its all about you,and you doesnt matter to anyone else..

[Russ Karnap]

That is for sure! But I’m wondering how many people are specialists in one type of ROV application and would like to expand their abilities…. Wrong market to be trying to "grow" but worth looking into of course.

[Che]

I moved from cable to O&G in 2006 and James’s point about learning to fly is bang on. I remember doing my first Anode count on a construction job was a "stimulating" experience" ! But the move is definatley do – able . I was lucky i suppose, at the time it was really really busy and "the door" was further open than it is at the moment. K2’s point about not BSing is a good one too.
The quality of your on board life may not be as comfortable as some cable ships and client interface can be interesting at times but its a great new challenge. Get your CV out there and best of luck.

[Keith Jones]

If I were you just stick with cable at present as there is a huge amount of cable work / windfarms going on for many years to come

[James McLauchlan]

If I were you just stick with cable at present as there is a huge amount of cable work / windfarms going on for many years to come

Agree :tup:

There does appear to be better long term work prospects in cable at present.

[rovnumpty]

Have to agree with James and cable man on this one.

Sit tight for a couple of months. As well as it appearing to be very quiet at the moment, several ROV companies have been playing funny buggers with their staff over the winter, so if it does pick up at all, there’ll be a sudden glut of experienced O & G people looking for work as well.

As to coming in at supervsior level, I’d give it more than a couple of trips as a pilot/tech. Construction, inspection and even survey require a supervsior to have a lot of specific operational experience within O & G. Drill support isn’t quite so demanding, so if you are intent at coming across as a supervisor, aim for a position on one of those contracts.

[Russ Karnap]

Just for the record, I haven’t been working commercially for about 5 years. I’ve been doing some non-commercial work since then. All large work class ROV "stuff", but not cable work. Where should someone look for cable work these days? Having built an electric car, I’m all for working in the windfarm business. Guess if you’ve been away from commercial work, it’s time to start knocking on a bunch of doors to get your feet wet again!

The advice is valuable about where to go into O&G if you are trying to make the transition. Much appreciated!!!

[Sit Rep]

Personally have never worked cable…

I learn every day in this business, I would never claim to be a natural pilot but I make up for that on the technical side.

To me the hardest aspect of the job is 3D awareness or telepresence it really helps if you have, say, draughting or gaming experiences in a 3D situation e.g. the Descent game, though basic, was always a good headspace to get into.

Everyone should be able to use manips whether 5F or 7F, although you shouldn’t be expected to free fly the sub and operate a 7F simultaneously.

In reality it is all the same game once you know the capabilities of your equipment, the environment and your own limitations (too many heroes).

[Theblackfingernail]

Learn how to fly.

You need to see what your looking at.

Finger me 🙂

[Author]

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