I would like to hear from people in the oil, chemical and petroleum industries. How are you holding up? How is the mood out in the field?
Randal Dugan ：It is very frustrating for sure! I am a completions consultant that has worked my way up since I was a 17 year old worm looking for the key to the V door. I have been blessed to make it through all the down times, unfortunately like hundreds of thousands of people today I sit idle with them. This down time has had a tremendous effect on my family life, for the better! I have been out of work for almost a year now and it has brought the bond between my kids my wife and myself stronger than ever. Yes times are tough, but we must all look for the positive in every situation that we are confronted with. This all being said after I have applied to over 45 different (Non Oilfield) companies and only receiving 6 interviews. Literally 4 out of the 6 interviews told me at the end of the interview that they were very skeptical of hiring a person from the oilfield for the fear that when jobs pick up again, we will abandon them and return to the field. Those words are very discouraging to hear, but all in all I believe as long as we stay focused and keep a positive outlook, great things are to come.
Doug Denning ：I am very HAPPY to hear that YOU & YOUR FAMILY HAVE GROWN CLOSER. I feel the same as YOU do”STAY POSITIVE”. There are PEOPLE out of work right now. Its all depends on how PEOPLE look at it, but this down time opens up doors and allows for people the time to persue other things. Such as FAMILY TIME, TRAVELING, TIME WITH FRIENDS OR GOING TO SCHOOL(SCHOOL IS ALWAYS KOOL) IS ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO FURTHER YOUR CAREER(FUTURE) OR JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE TIME ANS WANT TO.As for not getting hired because YOU may or may not go back to the industries is thier lost. YOU have been turning and burning since YOU were 17. That shows that YOU can commit to making it to work.Thats a REALLY BIG POSITIVE to me. THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US(OILPRO MEMBERS). I HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A GREAT DAY AND ENJOY EACH OTHER.For the day will come when a call will come and off to work YOU go. Then YOU will have less time with FAMILY. WE ARE ALL HERE ONLY ONCE & PEOPLE GROW UP & GROW OLDER(KIDS). ENJOY THE FAMILY TIME AND GOOD LUCK. THANK YOU AGAIN HAVE A GREAT DAY & STAY SAFE
John Toomey：I would like to think for those of us who experienced the downturn back in the mid-80’s that we have as an industry learned to manage these sorts of cyclical turns by being fiscally responsible as well as operationally savvy that said I do feel concern for all the jobless brothers and sisters of the oil patch dealing with this scenario. In closing I do feel optimistic that our industry will be back better than ever! Until then keep the faith and know that we are all in this together….
Clay Brazzil ：My sentiments exactly John, 30 years in the business from ginzel to consultant and it’s difficult at this point to be optimistic but I’m trying. I know the industry will bounce back, although it looks pretty bleak at the moment!
Rob Young：First of all , excellent and very timely question Doug. It takes courage to post such a volitile question knowing that the majority of answers will be heartfelt and some could be nasty. I’ve been in and out of the oil patch so many times Its difficult to keep track. I’ve gotten to the point where it’s mostly mistrust knowing that it is never going to be a stable career path or choice and that the reasons ( for any layoff ) don’t really matter as the end result is still the same. Like quite a few others I have had rejection from fears of potential employers asking what my long term intentions might be. It’s even worse with respect to my being a tradesman who is still in the process of obtaining the credential. I’m fortunate enough that my hours spent exceed my necessary values needed and all that is further required is some intensive study and examinations. To that end I have simply stated while the oilpatch has provided substantial jobs and opportunities to many over the years , I do not see this turn around happening at the same pace as the downturn. Coupled with all the volatility and uncertainty we have a new political regime that has set upon its sights to inflict some very painful constraints upon the industry that will neither solve any of the perceived ills that have been so carefully orchestrated and further hamper recovery of the industry to once again provide needed jobs. Like John, I would rather pay 1.30/ litre at the pump and have a decent job than have to pay 1.00/litre and struggle with making 1/4 of what I used to. I don’t know where this Silver Spoon pretty boy with the Ladyballs is going to get the money for all his programs , but it’s pretty hard to tax those without jobs.
Tim Wisneski：Its very tough in SE Mexico I believe we got a “double whammy” with the Pemex oil reform at same time as the global crunch. I’ve thought hard about closing our mechanical service company here and moving back to the US to start over in another industry, but after being in the oil field for almost 20 years, its not very easy to do. Selling assets to keep the boat afloat and keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Keith Rodgers：I would say morale is terrible with most workers and there families feeling the stress right now, some will leave for good necer to return or just simply move to more regular consistant work.
Tim DeSalvo：Hi Doug, I’m a n/c Liftboat/Jackup Officer-Crane operator ,my crew & i were sent home early part of jan,2015. Been in the industry 23 years. First time i’ve ever been sent home & things have been very rough..! I keep my bags packed & stay on standby…awaiting on that 1 call for a water job again..!!. From what i’ve heard from my type vessels, most of the work has been spot jobs. 2 or 4 days at the longest duration 1 week. But i tell ya i’m not limiting myself on where to go, i’ll go anywhere…globally, even high risk areas..! I also keep in very close contact..with my recruiter !!
Doug Denning：THANKS FOR ANAWERING. So that EVERYONE knows-my uncle was in sydney. montana working the fields when the bottom dropped out from under the oil industry in the early-mid 80s. They lost everything when that happened. So i FEEL FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. Just as i do for ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE FELT THE DEEP IMPACT OF THIS DOWN TURN. The truth of this is it will pass. My uncle ended up getting work somewhere else, and all was GOOD. They recovered, just as YOU AND EVERYONE else will also. My uncle did like YOU said” WILLING TO GO/TRAVEL WHERE THE WORK IS”.STAY STRONG AND REMEMBER THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A CORNERN TO TURN. THANKS FOR ANSWERING HAVE A GREAT DAY & STAY SAFE GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND
Arnaldo Chaves ：Surviving without a job has been very difficult, almost one year now and I feel sad and frustrated but trying to keep in shape for future New opportunities I hope.
Doug Denning：Its a common thing to feel that way. I think people all over are feeling what WHAT YOU ARE SAYING/GOING THROUGH . I cannot recall an industry that has been hit as HARD as the oil, petro and chemical industries has. Except for that of the auto industries (more times than i can recall). Just remember this “the auto industries got lean and made a comeback”. Just as will the OIL, PETRO & CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES will. YOU are doing the right thing in staying in shape. YOUR CALL WILL COME, How long? I honestly could not tell YOU. But its coming up to the point where people in UPPER MANAGEMENT(BIG BOSSES) need to figure it out before ALL OF YOU SKILLED WORKERS ARE WORKING ELSE WHERE. Then they will really be hurting without YOU SKILLED WORKERS WHO HAVE PUT IN A LIFETIME OF WORK IN YOUR CHOOSEN CARREER. STAY THE COURSE AND STAY STRONG. HAVE A GREAT DAY & STAY SAFE
Rob Young：@DougDenning: Doug…..you mention the auto industries……they had bailouts . They’ve been unionized almost since their inception. For the most part the oil industry doesn’t have a great Union presence and you’d think for the political sway that the industry has with respect to being an economic driver that they could do something to mitigate the misery and difficulty that so many feel as a result of such loss with respect to they’re lively hoods . The sad fact is , there are a great many misconceptions about those who work in the industry. Sure there is often better money than there is most other industries, but as have been proven yet again there is no stability. As you well pointed out , those that rule aren’t really suffering. They have their six figure bonuses while they hand out another round of pink slips and when there’s a turnaround they will begrudgingly trying to dangle a slightly bigger carrot to entice those they need to do the work. Be careful my fellow brothers (and sisters ) for when you reach for that golden carrot that they will dangle before you , it will leave your hind end exposed for them to yank that carrot away and deposit it in a most painful spot. You’d think we’d have learned enough by now.
Don Leis：I believe it is very frustrating. Dealing with the global environment and commodity prices is bad enough – here in Alberta especially, and most of Canada we have governments who are quite clueless and have their backs turned on the industry…. you know that “dirty oil” . That in my opinion is the hardest issue to deal with.
Jill Friedman：As a mariner involved in the oil business since the late 70s, I was able to prepare for this at least a little bit. I’d been saving everything I could and trying to invest for the last few years. I’ve been through the downturns before. I was lucky in the past to keep working throughout. This time, not so much. I was laid off from my last drillship last September. So far I have not been able to find any work. Tried to find positions in other sectors of maritime, but since so many have been laid off in the oilfield, I was too late to get in and those jobs have already been filled.
I am selling assets, learning to paint, improving my photography, got UKOG done. I can go back offshore at any time. Ready to leave tomorrow! Also can sell artwork (photography) and trying to sell articles. I’m looking for a room-mate to help pay the bills. Hard to find one when you don’t know when you might be leaving or for how long.
Chris Sabulsky：As a completion consultant I was laid off last Febuary. I began my career in 1984 at PoolWell Service. I have seen many up and downs in this industry especially around East Tx. I personally think people get there hopes up with all the speculations when it might kick off and different operating cost for oil.
Glenn Jones ：Like many in the industry I have worked my way through the ranks and achieved 40 years of experience. Even with my experience and knowledge I been out of work for the past year now and the near future does look bleak for the energy industry. My biggest concern is our present government is doing nothing to help displaced employees nor the industry. .What will our next elected President do concerning the energy industry?
Chris Sabulsky：Glenn great question I have asked myself the same question. Every time they post unemployment numbers across the US the numbers are down .How can this be and new jobs have been added where are these jobs McDonalds. The current admin. does not care about us they only want cheap gas. They don’t care about what it takes to get it out of the ground and the number of people it takes. We are our own family and always will be.
石油圈
