workover rig jobs in colorado free sample

2+ years previous oilfield and/or workover rig experience preferred. Work on floors or derricks on the rig as needed. May offer relocation package DOE.

You will perform advanced hydraulic fracturing operations and assist in various aspects of the job including pre-job preparation, mobilization, rig up, on site…

The Floorhand performs the duties of general manual labor on the rig and supports and assists other members of the drilling crew during all rig operations.

You will perform advanced hydraulic fracturing operations and assist in various aspects of the job including pre-job preparation, mobilization, rig up, on site…

Experience in offshore and onshore drilling operations, five of which should be at supervisory level with an oil company. Job Types: Full-time, Contract.

Performing rig up and down procedures, nipple up and down and care of the B.O.P. Ensuring safe and efficient rig operations to meet the company’s goals and…

The Crew Worker, under the direction of the Rig Operator, performs activities and operates hand and power tools to perform maintenance and repairs to oil or gas…

Assist in rig moves: help with rig-up / rig-down, nipple up and down blowout preventers, assist with general assembly and maintenance and help prepare new…

Previous experience as an Frac Equipment operator coiled tubing, rig, oilfield, oil & gas, Oil and gas, energy, energy services, driving tractor trailers, well…

Develops an understanding of all major rig components and the necessary servicing. Prior experience in oil field, heavy industry or construction is beneficial.

*Exposure to equipment noises and rig/boat/facility vibrations *. *Sweep and wash decks using a broom, brushes, mops and hose to remove oil, dirt and debris*.

Develops an understanding of all major rig components and the necessary servicing. Prior experience in oil field, heavy industry or construction is beneficial.

Must have reliable transportation to and from the rig. The job of the Floorhand is to safely and efficiently perform all manual labor tasks on the drilling…

Previous experience as an Frac operator, coiled tubing, rig, oilfield, oil & gas, Oil and gas, energy, energy services, driving tractor trailers, well services,…

Develops an understanding of all major rig components and the necessary servicing. Prior experience in oil field, heavy industry or construction is beneficial.

Develops an understanding of all major rig components and the necessary servicing. Prior experience in oil field, heavy industry or construction is beneficial.

Fun. Flexibility. Growth. Are you looking for a fun and exciting environment, flexible work schedule, or an opportunity for growth? Blending all of these together is the difference between a good job and a great career. At... view more

SPL is a globally recognized industry leader in flow assurance, hydrocarbon measurement, characterization, and production analytics. We specialize in third-party services for operators across the hydrocarbon value chain. More than 90 percent of... view more

More than ever, employees are rethinking what work should look like, and we re guessing if you re here, you are too! Why not join a company that s been questioning the status quo for nearly 50 years? Since our beginnings at Leisure Care, we... view more

Job Summary: Hiring positions in Wyoming, Colorado and Northern New Mexico. The Driller directly supervises the rig crew and operates the drilling rig. $34.00 - 39.00 an hour Specific Responsibilities and... view more

At Papa John"s, people are always our top priority. Our secret ingredient is YOU! Our employees are much like our toppings. They re all different, but come together to make the ultimate pizza! Will you be the pepperoni or the banana pepper to our... view more

More than a Job! Stake Center Locating is hiring entry level Locating Technicians to complete our team. We will train you on the job and equip you with the basic skills to be successful. What you ll need to bring is a preference to work... view more

*Have you been looking for a job that promotes your independence and proactive nature? Do you crave adventure and excitement out in the field? Do you love to use tools and work with your hands? Are you interested in helping one of the fastest growing... view more

More than ever, employees are rethinking what work should look like, and we"re guessing if you"re here, you are too! Why not join a company that"s been questioning the status quo for nearly 50 years? Since our beginnings at Leisure Care, "we... view more

MUST RESIDE WITHIN A 20-MILE RADIUS OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY (OFF MON/TUE) SHIFT: 9:30AM - 6:00PM WAGES: $25.00/hr ... view more

Job Summary: Position is for Wyoming, Colorado and Northern New Mexico The Motorhand, Derrickhand, Relief Driller $27.00 - $34.00 an hour Specific Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Works in a... view more

Manage, coordinate, and enhance district-wide safety and security operations to provide a safe and secure learning and working environment for students, staff members, and visitors. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with... view more

The Opportunity Delaware North Parks and Resorts is hiring a General Manager to lead our team at The Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. As General Manager, you will have overall responsibility for... view more

The Construction Manager plans, schedules, coordinates and/or supervises field construction inspection activities on assigned road construction projects. Must maintain positive working relationships with project engineers, contractors,... view more

Oldcastle Infrastructure , a CRH company, is the leading provider of utility infrastructure solutions for the water, energy, and communications markets throughout North America. We re more than just a manufacturer of precast concrete, polymer... view more

Hiring Diesel Mechanics in Aurora, COHome Daily + $27.25 HourlyBenefits:Our Mechanics Earn $27.25 per hourHome DailyPTO401K, Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Programs (subject to meeting eligibility requirements)Requirements:1 year of proven medium... view more

Posting Detail Information Working Title Instructor/Assistant Professor Construction Management - Open Pool Position Location Fort Collins, CO Posting Number 202200304F Proposed Annual Salary Range $60,000 - $68,000 Employee Benefits Colorado State... view more

Description: OPERATIONS SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR (OSA) Would you like to further your career in Oil & Gas as part of our team of professional Operations Support Administrator (OSA)? At Brigade Energy Services, we provide you with training, skills, and a... view more

Attend Rigzone"s Oil & Gas Job Fair on November 10 and meet with the best employers in the industry to find your next Oil & Gas job. Employers will be on-site discussing open positions with many interviewing and Hiring on the Spot. Register today!

This position specializes in operating large drill rigs, cranes, up to 65-ton RT, boom trucks, excavators, lo-drills, bulldozers, and backhoes. Willingness to travel to the Northern Virginia and Southern Virginia areas for work assignments is a must. Per diem and hotel accommodations are provided by the company as needed.

In states from DE to TX, ULCS needs people with a variety of skills and capabilities to help us build smarter more resilient energy grids and futures for our customers and communities. It"s important work that communities increasingly depend on for their quality of life and we are making a difference for the customers and communities and growing as more customers discover the ULCS difference. It"s rewarding work and a career that can support you on your life"s journey. If you"d like to make a difference too, then own your career.

+ Operates small motorized equipment including but not limited to skid steers, mini-excavators, generators, tampers, concrete vibrators, and jackhammers.

+ Assist crew with daily work activities for installing concrete foundations and work aides used including chainsaws, hydraulic tools, and hand tools.

+ Works around excessive noise from machines (backhoes, trenchers, mini excavators, drill rigs, digger derricks, knuckle booms, jackhammers, and other equipment).

+ Willingness to travel to the Northern Virginia and Southern Virginia areas for work assignments is a must. Per diem and hotel accommodations are provided by the company as needed.

+ **FREQUENT** (up to 66 %): Stooping, Squatting, Body Twisting, Manual Dexterity, Reading, Climbing Ladders, Climbing On/Off Truck, Climbing Poles, Gripping, and Climbing Stairs

+ **CONTINUOUS** (up to 100%): Standing, Walking, Sense of Touch, Speaking Clearly, Seeing Distant, Seeing, Reaching, Range of Motion, Hearing-Speech Range, Depth Perception, Color Vision, Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling, Lifting Over 10 lbs. to 50 lbs., Balancing, Lifting Up to 10 lbs., and Lifting Up to 50 lbs.

Due to the inherently dangerous nature of the industry and requirements to work with or around hazardous equipment, employees must have sufficient eyesight to judge distance/coordination of equipment and tools, be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods, be able to withstand exposure to all kinds of weather while completing work assignments, be able to wear personal protective equipment as necessary, be able to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day, have the endurance necessary to traverse various terrain, be capable of performing job duties throughout a standard 8- or 10-hour day, be able to communicate with others, read, write, and comprehend written/verbal job instructions and information, and communicate and handle conflict professionally.

Utility Lines Construction Services (ULCS) delivers electric and gas utility construction and maintenance services for investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipalities, large industrial manufacturers, government, general contractors, developers, and EPC firms. Formed in 2000 from small beginnings, ULCS now boasts more than 2,300 non-union employees in 15 states safely performing utility transmission and distribution infrastructure work throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the Delmarva Peninsula, the Southeast, and the South regions of the United States.

**Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation should contact the ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 1339.**

Step 1- Register at www. JobFairsNow .com. (type into your browswer) Click on the Nabors Drilling tab. You must have a ticket number to attend the event

Inexperienced hands MUST have recent & ongoing outside physical oilfield labor work and use to working in all weather types. This is a physically demanding outside element position for 10 to 12 hours daily.

Any felony conviction not succeeded by a minimum of 5 years of verifiable, stable work history immediately prior to date of application for employment

Any misdemeanor conviction involving theft, violence, illegal drugs or sexual offenses not succeeded by a minimum of 5 years of verifiable, stable work history immediately following prior to date of application for employment

Different divisions DO NOT hire for each other. Example- You can NOT attend a North Dakota division hiring event to be hired for West Texas or other divisions.

Schlumberger"s emissions digital manager talks about integrating emissions with operations data to reduce emissions, stay in compliance and improve performance.

U.S. oil prices rose to $70 a barrel this week — a sign the industry is bouncing back after a bust brought on by the pandemic. That’s bringing a much-needed jolt into the local economy in Weld County.

Energy companies in the area shed thousands of jobs over the past year, but they’re now slowly adding some back. The sector added roughly 500 jobs in the past month, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Henry Zimmerman: We know more people are traveling again. They’re flying, taking road trips to see family. And that’s boosting demand for oil. How is that showing up in the job numbers in Weld County?

Matt Bloom: A reminder to listeners we have tens of thousands of active oil and gas wells in Weld County and companies have really just been running a skeleton crew over the past year. That’s because oil prices have been historically low.

But over the past few months, the demand switch has been turned back on and suddenly the price is the highest it’s been in almost three years. Gas prices are up. And a lot of companies in the oilfield have reversed course and started hiring again.

James Smith is a driver. He hauls oil. His income was cut in half last year during the bust, so he left the industry for a while. But last month he got a call that the oilfield needed him again.

James Smith: There’s so much activity to haul oil right now and it"s almost crazy actually. Prior to you calling me, I just received a call from my supervisor saying, “Hey, I had to switch up your dispatches. We had an oil line rupture. We"re sending six trucks out to one location to bottom out every single tank they have.”

Bloom: So people like James are seeing their incomes return to pre-pandemic levels. But when you look at the overall picture in the Greeley metro area, the industry has still added back less than a third of the positions — 31% — that it cut last year. That’s a much slower recovery rate than other industries like restaurants and hotels, which are actually having trouble finding people to hire.

Bloom: I’d say it’s a two-part reason. The first being that companies aren’t actually drilling a ton of new wells yet, which would require more workers to do. They’re just going back to the wells that have already been drilled.

Second is a longer-term trend in the industry of consolidation that we’ve seen really ramp up over the past nine months. That has led to the elimination of a lot of jobs. Just this week, three of Colorado’s largest drillers, Bonanza Creek, Extraction Oil and Gas and Crestone Peak Resources, announced they’d be joining into one new massive oil company called Civitas.

Steve Diederichs:There"s much more of a call for operators to start returning value to shareholders. And generally the way to achieve that is generate free cash flow and start returning that. So it really sets itself up for the kind of that flat to super low growth that we"re seeing operators guide to today.

Bloom: Diederichs says companies — even prior to the pandemic — were not performing well for a number of reasons. So, one way to cut costs is to join forces.

Zimmerman: We know that the energy industry is at the beginning of a major transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewables. Is that at play here, and what does that mean for the local economy in Weld?

Bloom: Well, what Diederichs and other economists have told me is that it means we just aren’t going to see a ton of growth in oil in Weld like we saw during the past decade. There will likely be a little bit of a boom as the world continues recovering from the pandemic. But a lot of investment at the local, state and federal level is in renewable energy projects.

For example, Platte River Power Authority, the electricity provider for most of Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, just announced its plans to build its largest solar farm ever in Weld County starting later this year, which to me is pretty symbolic of what’s happening.

The following is a list of seasonal work gear worn by drilling rig workers. Savanna supplies rig employees with coveralls, hard hat, safety glasses & impact gloves (1 pair).

Drilling rig crews are generally made up of six (6) people: Rig Manager, Driller, Derrickhand, Motorhand, Floorhand, and Leasehand. Each crew works 12 hours shifts as the rig operates 24 hours per day, and each position is vital to the operation of the rig.

Work in the oil and gas services industry is seasonal. Because of the weight of rigs and their equipment, and the remote location of wells, these locations are often only accessible when the ground conditions can tolerate heavy loads. Therefore, wells are typically drilled and serviced in the winter when the ground is frozen solid, or in the summer, when the ground has thawed and dried sufficiently. During the spring and fall, when the ground is in a transitional state, it is too soft to move equipment on and easily damaged. For this reason, provincial governments implement “road bans” prohibiting heavy loads from operating in certain areas. During this time, rig work is slower, and many rigs are shut down and their crews sent home. Be prepared to be off for anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks without pay during this time. However, rigs that are shut down are usually in need of maintenance, and there may be opportunities for employees who would like to help in this regard. Employees may be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits during seasonal shutdowns.

To work on a drilling rig, you must be able to get to and from all of your work locations.  As drilling often occurs in remote areas, having reliable transportation is considered mandatory for non-camp locations. Drilling rigs commonly operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week with either three crews working 8 hour shifts or two crews working 12-hour shifts. Most often day crews and night crews will alternate weekly, so each crew has a chance to work during both the day and night. Most crews will work 14 days straight with 7 days off in-between. The typical living situation while working falls into three categories: Non-Camp, Full Camp and Texas Camp.

Non-Camp: When the rig site is near a town, non-camp conditions normally apply. Crews will stay in hotel rooms and receive a per day living allowance for food and accommodation. The living allowance is paid out on your pay cheque based on days worked, therefore you will need to be able to pay for your food and accommodation out of your own pocket.

Full-Camp: When a rig site is in a remote location, crews may stay in a full camp. In a full-camp all food and full accommodation is provided. Once at the camp, the crew travels to and from the rig in the crew truck. Almost all camp work is available in the winter only.

Texas Camp: These camps are typically located nearby the rig location.  Crews are responsible for supplying their own bedding, cooking supplies, groceries and toiletries.  While staying at a texas camp, a daily allowance is provided for food and toiletries.  The living allowance is paid out on your pay cheque based on days worked, therefore you will need to be able to pay for your food and toiletries out of your own pocket.

Savanna employees are paid every two weeks via direct bank deposit.  Savanna’s compensation package includes company group health, dental and disability coverage including paramedical coverage (acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist, naturopath physiotherapist and much more).  Savanna also offers a competitive and rewarding retirement savings plan.

Once you have completed your orientation, you will immediately receive any other necessary training. This involves Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), along with an in-depth General Safety Orientation. This training is mandatory and provided by Savanna at no cost to the employee. Job-related, hands on training is conducted in the field through Savanna’s Rig Mentoring Program.

Some well locations have sour gas (Hydrogen Sulfide or H2S) present which is extremely dangerous. All employees are required to possess a valid H2S Alive certificate regardless of whether they are working on a sour gas well. This can be obtained by signing up for and completing a one-day (8 hour) course.

Courses are available at various locations across the province. For more information, contact Energy Safety (formerly Enform) at (780) 955-7770 or visit www.enform.ca or Leduc Safety Service at (780) 955 3300 or visit www.leducsafety.com. The cost of the course is usually between $130 and $150 plus tax, and the certification is valid for three years.

While it is not mandatory to have this certification, each service rig crew is required to have two members who are certified in Standard First Aid with CPR level C. Therefore, obtaining a certification beforehand is a great way to improve your chances of being hired.

Savanna is committed to providing a safe, productive and respectful work environment.  As such, Savanna has Policies in place to ensure the protection of our employees, contractors, the pubic and the environment.  All Savanna employees are required to acknowledge and follow the policies at all times.

Hunger Free Colorado provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

As industry demand continues to grow, Mud Engineer Salaries are reaching new highs. In fact, according to Indeed statistics, Mud Engineers can make well over $75,000 per year working in America"s fast paced drilling industry. To learn more about what a Mud Engineer does and how to become one, continue below.

Job Description When ranking oil rig jobs, Mud Engineers top the list. Thanks to high pay rates and excellent work conditions, they truly have one of the most satisfying jobs in the field. So, what exactly is "Mud" and what do Mud Engineers typically do?

Mud is simply another name for the drilling fluid used at drilling rigs. As oil and gas wells are drilled, special types of Mud are pumped down into the borehole to maintain stability, cool the drill bit, and clear rock cuttings. In order to work effectively, Mud has a number of different properties that need to be managed by trained specialists called Mud Engineers.

Having earned their title, Mud Engineers condition the Mud so that it meets certain field requirements. To do this, they perform a series of Mud Tests using equipment that most anyone can operate with proper training. After recording their test results, Mud Engineers write out instructions for the rig"s crew so that they can then get started making key Mud treatments. If needed, a Mud Engineer can stay onsite to advise the rig"s crew and supervise treatment methods.

Aside from managing Mud properties, Mud Engineers are also responsible for creating Mud reports, ordering treatment products, and maintaining field relationships. The fact that they have a variety of tasks out on the rig may be yet another reason why Mud Engineers are known to experience high levels of overall job satisfaction.

The first and most basic benefit of being a Mud Engineer is that the job is free from manual labor. Apart from handling small test equipment, Mud Engineers have no reason to participate in physical tasks out at the rig. On top of this we find our second benefit; the minimal amount of paperwork. Although Mud reports do need to be filled out, most of the job really focuses on checking the Mud to make sure that it"s right. And finally, to finish off our top benefits, is the fact that Mud Engineers get to escape from dull office lifestyles. Being outdoors on an oil rig is exciting, especially when keeping company with lively roughnecks.

Job Requirements To get a job as a Mud Engineer you must start by getting trained at a Mud School. Since only a few Mud Schools exist, current training options are clearly limited. Because of this, many new Mud Engineers have chosen to go through month-long courses like Ace Mud School. If you would like to take your first step toward an exciting career as a Mud Engineer, click on this link and visit www.acemudschool.com for more information.

Geological Survey statistics, the United States" current reserves of oil and gas are increasing rapidly. Why? In part, it"s because new assessments of national reserves are starting to account for advances in technology. As technologies like frac and injection improve our ability to recover oil and gas, the total amount in reserve has spiked. But this is not the only factor that has increased our reserves. New oil and gas finds have also been adding to our totals. For a description of these new finds, continue below.

California"s San Joaquin Basin Spanning from Modesto in the north to Bakersfield in the south, Central California"s San Joaquin Basin holds an estimated 393 million barrels of oil and 1.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Since these figures describe only what can be currently developed, the USGS also released a forecast stating that 3.5 billion barrels of oil may be recoverable from the basin in the future. A majority of this future oil is projected to come out of the Monterey Formation which is an emerging shale play that stretches across much of California. In the end, this may mean that some of the oil rig jobs in Long Beach will have to relocate a few miles north over the coming years.

Haynesville Shale formation is likely to be the fourth largest natural gas find in the world. Various sources indicate that it holds between 230 and 250 trillion cubic feet of retrievable natural gas in reserve. Located at depths between 10,000 and 14,000 feet below the earth"s surface, this is enough natural gas to supply the U.S."s total domestic demand for over 10 years. As recently as 2008, the Haynesville formation was responsible for creating approximately 32,000 jobs while contributing $4.5 billion in revenue to the state of Louisiana. With numbers like this it is hard not to be impressed.

Montana and North Dakota"s Bakken Shale In 1995 the U.S. Geological Survey reported that there was an estimated 151 million barrels of oil in the Bakken Shale Formation spanning from Montana to North Dakota. Over a decade later in 2007, roughly 105 million barrels of oil had been produced. With this, some outsiders thought that the area was about to experience steep production declines. To their surprise, recent survey estimates put the Bakken Formation"s oil reserves between 3 and 4 billion barrels. Ultimately, this makes the Bakken Formation the largest single find in the lower 48 states, even ahead of the sizable Austin Chalk Formation of Texas and Louisiana. As a result, oil rig jobs in North Dakota and the Williston Basin are now booming.

To the eyes of an outsider, an offshore oil production facility looks like a modern day medieval castle. It is gigantic, complicated, and most of all misunderstood. Many would even say that an offshore drilling platform has only one essential purpose; to produce oil and natural gas. However, current offshore rigs are much more than just energy producing giants. They are models of self-sufficiency and overall sustainability. These "floating cities" are typically able to produce their own energy while at the same time provide for their own water. More than that, the workers who live on offshore drilling platforms have sacrificed greatly in order to meet our energy demands. To understand the many ways that offshore drilling benefits our society we will start by examining what life is like aboard an offshore rig.Living and working offshore is no easy task. Work days are long and weeks spent out at sea can easily make workers long for loved ones at home. To compensate for this, offshore employees are frequently provided with the highest of living conditions. Private quarters are roomy and are usually equipped with the latest forms of technological entertainment. Many rooms even have private bathrooms and showers as well. Don"t want to be stuck in a room all day? No problem. Rigs are provided with full scale cafeterias that have all-you-can eat portions available 24 hours a day. Because most rigs operate on a never ending cycle, this is simply a must have condition. Other basic amenities include a maid service for cleaning and around the clock laundry service. Even the best hotels cannot offer that type of on the spot service. So now that clothes are clean, room is no longer messy, and the belly is full, what to do next? Rigs have to have forms of entertainment and recreation for employees. Small gyms are very common aboard rigs. The gym serves many purposes. It keeps the mind and body healthy which in turns keeps the employee working hard and effectively. Too tired to work out after a hard day? The lounge is the place for you. Big screen televisions and couches are the hub for social interaction within the rig. Think of the lounge like you would a college dorm lobby. Ping-Pong tables, pool tables, and a relaxed atmosphere. One often overlooked aspect of the oil rig is the attraction of wildlife. Migratory birds regularly use oil rigs to rest their bodies after long treks. Small fish and plant life are attracted to the rig because of the safety and artificial reef-like environment. With small fish come bigger fish and with bigger fish come sport fishermen. It is not uncommon for oil rig employees, given favorable conditions, to use their time off to fish off the side of an oil rig. How does all this translate into a functional self-sustaining facility? The answer again is the people.To compare an oil rig to an ant colony is a shrewd yet easy comparison. Like an ant colony there are different jobs and functions that need to be handled by professionals. An oil rig will employ a number of different experts in fields such as management, production, safety, and even catering. The number of jobs aboard an oil rig are almost too many to count. Craftsmen such as welders, electricians, and mechanics are what most people would expect aboard an oil rig. However, there are also scientists, engineers, and medical professionals as well. All the elements of an oil rig work together to make a self-sufficient society. Unemployment is a large issue affecting the United States today and offshore oil rigs are part of the solution to this problem. As mentioned above, an oil rig needs employees from all forms of professions. The number of individuals needed to build and maintain an oil rig is staggering. Offshore drilling may be controversial in many sectors of America, but one thing is undeniable. Offshore oil rigs create jobs. Interestingly enough, many jobs on the oil rig require no prior work experience. Cooks, maids, laundry attends, and even porters are usually starting out on their first job. In other words, many have the opportunity to show value and worth by working hard and demonstrating their talent in their respected positions. By starting at the bottom of the hierarchy and working hard, an oil rig employee can rise through the ranks to achieve stable and fulfilling careers. But the question remains, how do oil rigs provide a model of self-sufficiency and overall sustainability?As stated above, an oil rigs main function is to produce energy. It is a fact that the United States has to import a majority of its oil from foreign markets. This leaves the United State vulnerable to ever fluctuating global economic conditions. When the oil producing countries raised oil prices in the 1970s it left the United States with an oil and gas shortage which started the debate on the idea of oil self-sufficiency. In order for the United States to become self-sufficient it needs to invest in the construction and maintenance of offshore oil rigs. The oil rig, which produces its own energy, is the perfect model for the United States. Almost everything an oil rig needs it can make. Clearly, an oil rig needs energy to power its infrastructure. The oil that a rig produces is enough not only for the individual rig, but there is a tremendous amount of excess energy that will be used by the average American. Critics may argue about the environmental impact of an oil rig, but the major reason these arguments arise is when there is an unfortunate disaster. There is no doubt that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was a disaster, but it should not affect the entire industry. The argument that the Deepwater Horizon spill should close down all offshore oil drilling is absurd. It was an accident and of course a travesty, however, the closing of offshore drilling will be even more catastrophic.

Offshore drilling is an important step in making the United States a more productive and self-sufficient society. The jobs aboard an oil rig are in demand and offer many key benefits such as the pay, the experience gained, and the amenities provided. Companies across the globe are always searching for individuals willing to take a chance at life aboard an oil rig. Just in North America alone there are countless job openings from Vancouver, to Canada, to the Florida Keys. With the continuing development of science and technology there will be a continued advance in the design and implementation of offshore drilling. The already extremely high safety measures will continue to evolve and with time events like the Deepwater Horizon will be even fewer and further between. With less and less accidents there will be less impact on the natural environment around large scale oil rigs and drilling processes. America and the World need to take notice of what a true technological marvel an offshore drilling operation can be.

What sets the price of oil? Some may think that this would be an easy question to answer, however the price of oil is dependent on a number of complicated factors. To start, oil is classified as a commodity because it is widely used and traded. This means that its price is determined by large markets where it is exchanged. Since market values are dictated by both supply and demand, oil prices also tend to be based on the perception of its scarcity. Things like political turmoil and natural disasters often increase oil"s scarcity and price, even with powerful organizations like OPEC intervening. The following article will assess four of the major factors named above that are most responsible for oil"s price in today"s modern market.

Commodity traders are responsible for bidding on future oil contracts. These contracts are to buy or sell an amount of oil on a future date at a pre-determined price. By establishing agreements about future values, companies can plan for changes in the market which helps stabilize the economy as a whole. But, commodity traders also speculate to make a profit. They can even influence the price of oil to go up or down so that their contracts hold more value when they sell them. Regardless of their motives, all oil traders use the same basic rationale to determine the market"s price. They compare OPEC"s projected output quote to the actual amount of oil that was produced. If there is going to be a supply decrease, the price gets bid up. However, if the supply of oil increases then the price will drop. After analyzing the projected quota, traders then look to oil reserves. Some countries like the United Stated and Saudi Arabia have extensive oil reserves that can be tapped into to increase the oil supply if the price gets too high. When these countries promise to use some of their reserves, traders will allow the price of oil to drop which helps to stabilize the market. On top of information about oil quotas and reserves, traders use the projected demand for oil as a tool to determine prices. Typically, the demand for oil increases dramatically during the summer months. This information is given to the traders by the Energy Information Agency which is trusted for the accuracy of their data. Travel information regarding vacation driving is also considered and is provided by the AAA. After taking all of this information into account, it is up to the commodities traders to determine oil"s end price.

As a result of a crisis in an oil producing country, the price of oil often increases dramatically. This is because the traders usually assume that a crisis limit of the supply of oil coming out of that country. A recent example was when Iran was accused of developing nuclear weapons. This caused a spike in oil prices in January 2012 as Iran threatened to close the Straights of Hormuz. Following this threat, the United States said that it would reopen the straight with military force if necessary. During this time, oil"s price per barrel fluctuated between $95 and $100. Finally, in February, the price peaked just over $100 per barrel when tensions reached their highest. Back in the spring of 2011, the unrest in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia also strongly affected the price of oil. During this time the price of oil spiked up to $113 per barrel which became known as the Arab Spring. However, the effects of the Arab Spring lasted into Summer 2011. With revolts eventually leading to the removal of several dictators, commodities traders were understandably worried that the supply of oil would be disrupted. Contrary to their fears, the oil supply was not adversely affected and therefore the price of oil began to drop again. By the middle of June, per-barrel prices fell to under $100 which eased consumer stress as well. Taking these examples into consideration, it is easy to see how world crises can create fluctuations in the price of oil.

Any disaster can affect the price of oil if it is severe enough. This is partly due to lowered production and damaged equipment, but commodities traders can still play a surprisingly large role. In fact, traders will bid up the price of oil in anticipation of a coming natural disaster (i.e. hurricane) that is predicted to reduce the amount of oil on the market. If the disaster does not have as large an impact as was predicted, then the price will drop over time. In most cases damage to the industry"s production line is very real and the price of oil will rise in an attempt to combat the lower supply. If the drop in supply is severe enough, a country may choose to open up some of its oil reserves in an effort to cut rising prices. One example from 2005 is Hurricane Katrina. In its aftermath, oil prices increased by $3 per barrel. This is because 19% of the United States" oil production was affected by the hurricane. Between Hurricane Katrina and its predecessor, Hurricane Rita, 113 offshore oil and natural gas platforms were destroyed. In addition to the destroyed platforms, 457 pipelines experienced some form of damage. Obviously, this magnitude of damage lead to a severe increase in the price of oil. A smaller incident that still resulted in a price hike was the flooding of the Mississippi River in May 2011. Commodities traders were concerned that the flooding could damage oil refineries so the price was bid up despite the damage not being as severe as expected.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, OPEC often plays a very large role in regulating the cost of oil. It stands for Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. It is comprised of 12 nations that span the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Together, they account for over 60% of the world"s crude oil reserves and over 40% of the world"s annual oil production. The official purpose of the organization is to create price stability for the market while providing necessary profits for its members. To achieve these goals, it works to influence oil prices by increasing or limiting supplies. The power of the organization has decreased somewhat since the 1970"s due to technological and political changes. However, it is still the only organization that can effect production enough to strongly influence the market price of oil.

Most recently, it has been conflicts in the Middle East, natural disasters, and the 2008 financial crisis that have had the largest influence on the cost of oil. The various conflicts that have taken place over the last 10 years have also helped to steadily drive prices up. In the near future the United States may be forced to release some of its crude reserves in an attempt to drive the price of oil back down.