ugsams:


You are on the right part bro, i really envy your academic qualifications. I believe with your qualification, information, good personality and God's favour it will be easier for you to break into the industry here.

Before making up your mind to come here, do you really know about this country and region? Can you cope with some of the challenges we have here? UAE is not for everyone especially you that have lived in Europe which is a more western society. However, It has it's own many advantages over other countries, but there are several countries i will choose over living here.

About link to possibly places you can apply to, i created a whatsapp group of about 5 people who are trying to get into the industry here. I give them lead and they follow up with research they also exchange information among each other. Four of the group members are already here, one works as a Safety Officer while the one in Nigeria works as an Engineer. If you will like to be a part of the whatsapp group, notify me and i'll seek their opinion on adding a new member.

BadmanGozie:


Bro for the past four days, I've been reading through all your posts. I started tracking you from the UAE thread, because of your highly insightful posts. Seeing this comment, I couldn't help but quote you.


I'm sorry it took me long to reply you and I'm glad you found my posts useful.


Please does this whatsapp group still exist? I'd really love to be the latest member.


The group went silent when it seemed we couldn't record any success. It consisted of just a few people while it lasted. Some were already within the country and others elsewhere and not ready at that point.



To highlight about the whatsapp group; I had believed that being in the system, having the understanding of the way the oilfield is structured here, some network of friends and colleagues whom I could get their HR emails or details of their recruitment exercise will be enough to help the members get into the oilfield. What we normally do at the group was share the details of oil and gas company operating over here, the services they render, recruitment process, emails and all that. I shared as much as I could and the members also did further research and calls on their own.




Despite all these, I'm not aware of any success (I don't want to say we failed). Everyone went silent and the communication ended.


I'll also like to point out that the global crude oil price had it's effect against the group because shortly after the group was created they started to layoff over here. It came as a surprise of sorts because the oil industry here seemed very stable and among the few countries that were recruiting even when oil price was as at a record low.


For example, my company was planning to go international and had purchased more than 20 new rigs which started arriving then and while we were anticipating lots of recruitment they started retrenching the employees and packing up the older rigs. Lots of previously existing rigs were packed at the base camp and new ones were given to the crews to rig up. Contracts for service companies were changing, some were stopped, prices were cut down, hitches were adjusted, some bonus and benefits were stopped and so on


I have a bachelors degree in petroleum engineering and already making plans to relocate to the Middle East soon.


I wish you the best in your plans and may you be highly favoured.


Also could you kindly outline some of the challenges u face in the Middle East. I'll appreciate any other advise/guidance u deem fit.


The first one is accommodation, you will have to share, most people started that way; I also did.


Time: always remember that you have limited time so make good use of it. The time seems to run faster over here and I don't know why. 3 months is small and many companies(especially the oil and gas) don't always have their recruitment, they do it in batch if you are not lucky enough you might not have enough visa to complete the process.


Your expectations, plans (long and short term), tolerance and perseverance will define your stay here. If your expectations are so high, you might not be able to start small. The truth is that this part of the world is not like the western countries. The flexibility, work hours and visa rules are different. For example, your employment visa/residence is tied to your employer. You can't just wake up and decide to change job just like that, you can get a ban or even be blacklisted. Hence, you need to be patient. My advice is for you to start small if small is your only option, as you might not get a professional job.


Understanding the country and locations as you will need to move around a lot during your job search. This will require you to know when to use buses, trains, Abra (boat) and taxis but I will advice you avoid the taxis as much as you can except money no be problem.


Relating with the majority of the people, you have to try your best to know when to speak 'quickly quickly' and when to come down to the type of English the average person here will understand for you to be able to communicate effectively with them.


Food: Nigerian food will taste better but it will drain your money faster especially if you don't cook. Try to eat other cuisine or snacks to supplement when necessary.


The law: try to be on the right side of the law. Better to cross the roads at the designated pedestrian crossing areas and watch the traffic light while you do, so as to avoid fines. Eating or drinking on Dubai RTA buses will get you a fine if you are caught. Keeping your legs on the seat or seating in the women and family area will also do. Try to always top up your card and tag in appropriately as you won't know when the next RTA official will enter the bus for routine check. These are just some of the traffic laws, apply every other law when necessary.


Your friends and room mates: some will only have negative things to say but don't let it get to you. Try as much as possible to stay positive it will help.



Good luck on your mission

ugsams:


My brother, you are a rare gem. I can only imagine how long it took you to patiently type out these advises. Thank you very very much boss. You've been most helpful. REMAIN BLESSED

BadmanGozie:
Hello boss ugsams.

How is work? I trust you're doing good. I've entered the UAE and I'm currently in Aljman. Job hunting isn't really as easy as it sounded (when I was in Nigeria). But I've been sending out several applications. I pray to get a good job, before I run out of time.

Please if by any chance you hear of any job opening around you, please kindly reach out to me.

Stay blessed bro.

ugsams:


Welcome to the UAE bro... I will notify you if any vacancy comes up.

aliondo:
Please, experienced offshore oil workers..what are some of the best certification courses i can do? I have a B.SC in electrical/electronics engineering and just completed an M.Sc in Subsea engineering??tnx

blackbriar:


INSTRUMENTATION
SCADA

tare22:
I will be going for 3 months to work on a barge "swamp" and it my first time.. Pls I need someone with such experience for prep talk. Thanks

majekdom2:
Production barge or a support vessel? Have you had your BOSIET and HUET. If not, check online and equip yourself with necessary safety tips. Always wear your life jacket

BiggyB242:


How could someone get Bosiet and Huet?

majekdom2:
Production barge or a support vessel? Have you had your BOSIET and HUET. If not, check online and equip yourself with necessary safety tips. Always wear your life jacket

BiggyB242:


How could someone get Bosiet and Huet?

blackbriar:

HUET and BOSIET for swamp location.....haba.

majekdom2:
what is haba... That ought to be the standard, isn't it?

blackbriar:

for swamp location.....bros he will recieve safety induction and tool box meetings.......face job first and get d necessary skills not a pass book...any tom dick and harry can work on a swamp location without no HUET(HELICOPTER UNDERWATER EVACUATION) FOR SWAMP AND BOSIET PASS.