Work Abroad
Roustabouts are sponsored by employers to work in a number of international waters. The North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of EU nations like Holland, Denmark and Scotland, the Arabian Gulf, African counties like Ghana and Mozambique, are just some of the many international opportunities that roustabouts get to work abroad.
Day rate wages
Roustabouts earn a day-rate, usually in USD. Wages are competitive and usually on level with average wages in some developed nations.
Nature of work
Roustabouts are the backbone of the oil and gas sector. You'll be undertaking a wide range of responsibilities, from maintaining drilling equipment, guiding cranes, offloading supplies, and even performing emergency response drills. This job isn't just about physical strength – it's about versatility, team spirit, and a can-do attitude.
The roustabout role is more than a job; it's a stepping stone to a rewarding career in the oil and gas industry. Many of our industry's leaders began their journey as roustabouts, gaining invaluable experience that propelled them to new heights.
Steps to becoming a roustabout
You can become a roustabout with the right training and qualifications. You can sit courses like the OPITO Rigger Initial training and the OPITO Banksman and Slinger Initial training, which will equip you with the basic knowhow of lifting equipment (like chainblocks, slings, leverhoists etc.), and how to plan and prepare lifts.
Upon completing your basic lifting training (along with other basic courses such as OPITO basic H2S Training and OPITO), you become more attractive Oil and Gas employers, who will favour you over other candidates for the 100s of roustabout opportunities out there.
After getting your first roustabout job, you can gain the experience and skills to work your way up to positions of higher authority and renumeration.