Quest June 2007
With the price of oil continuing to rise, investment in the oil and gas sector is at an all-time high, with many millions of pounds being poured into new offshore rigs, exploration and development over the next three years. According to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), which represents over 350 offshore marine and underwater engineering companies worldwide, over 40 more floating drilling rigs will be commissioned over the next two years, creating a demand for 5,000 more support roles. One of the greatest demands will be for trained remote operated vehicle (ROV) pilots, with nearly 1,500 required over this period.
This demand represents a huge opportunity for individuals wishing to develop a new career. Pay rates have been rising in the offshore industry with a strike in November 2006 earning divers a 45 per cent pay increase. ROV pilots can expect to earn from £180 to £450 per day, with annual salaries ranging from £18,000 to £60,000.
ROVs are used for subsea observation, construction and maintenance work in a number of different subsea sectors, from the oil and gas industry to civil engineering, science and archaeology. Work can also be found in the civil engineering industry, working on the inspection, construction and maintenance of dams, ports, harbours and bridges as well as the defence and environmental sciences industries, where smaller ROVs have recently been developed for use in environmental monitoring, scientific exploration and marine archaeology.
However, the civil and environmental sectors are less well defined when it comes to employment structure, often subcontracting work to companies or individuals who own ROVs rather than employing salaried technicians. Having said that, historically these industries have underestimated the skills and expertise required for good ROV operation, so employment of trained ROV pilots is becoming a priority. Again this presents further opportunities for those recently trained in this field.
ROVs range from the top-of-the-range WorkClass ROV, which costs in the region of £3 million and takes ten men to operate, down to the smaller observational ROV, which requires one technician and can be carried in a suitcase. In the oil and gas industry most ROV contractors employ a mixture of salaried and day-rate employees – the former occupy the longer-term management and supervisory positions, while day-rate staff fill short-term contracts, especially in sectors or parts of the world where ROV utilisation is good. Day-rate work represents a great opportunity for recently trained ROV pilots looking for experience early in their career.
There are a number of entry routes available for people interested in a career as an ROV pilot, with each option dependent on the levels of skills and experience held by the trainee.
Academic qualifications are important because three of the key components involved in ROV piloting are electronics, hydraulics and mechanics, so holding an engineering or mechanical degree or HND will come in very useful, and potentially ‘speed up’ the training process. After graduating, trainees can apply direct to ROV employers such as Technip and Subsea Seven, which supply support personnel to the oil and gas industry in the North Sea. These companies will then provide specific ROV training for successful applicants.
People without these academic qualifications but who have specific experience in hydraulics and electronics can also apply direct to employers, as relevant work experience is highly valued in the sector. Taking a dedicated ROV training course is ideal for those with limited or no experience or qualifications, and can also be a quick route to employment. Even for those with an engineering background, actual experience working with ROVs will always place you at an advantage when looking for employment.
In addition, IMCA has been promoting a system of internationally recognised standards and competencies for some time. Many companies are adopting these standards and so a recognised ROV course that provides a certificate of competence is becoming more of a necessity. In fact, many ROV pilots who are already in work are retraining to achieve these certificates to further their careers. Taking a ROV training course at your own expense also demonstrates the kind of commitment that many employers are looking for.
Paul Bury, ROV instructor at the Underwater Centre comments: ‘Students embarking on an ROV course gain invaluable flying experience in a controlled environment. It is far better that mistakes are made and learnt from during training, than out in the field! We find that employment rates are extremely high for recently trained ROV pilots. We currently have an employment success rate of 95 per cent, and for ex-Service personnel this rises to 99 per cent. Reports back from ROV companies say that during a three-week course students learn what it would take six months to learn offshore, so the benefits are clear.’
Pay depends on the skills, expertise and attitude of the ROV technician, as well as the willingness to work long hours. Commitment is everything and those willing to put in the work will be rewarded. Annual salaries for technicians range from around £18,000 per annum to more than £60,000 depending upon the employer. More qualifications and experience will usually result in a higher wage. Day rates depend on similar factors. Most ROV pilots earn between £180 and £350 per day, increasing to £450 after four years’ experience. However, there can be ‘lean times’ between jobs and work is not always guaranteed
The civil and scientific sectors tend to be more stable but generally less well paid, although they offer the opportunity to work inshore, which suits some people.