Advertisement
Published: April 30th 2013
Edit Blog Post
It has been a while since I've written, but I just wanted to let you all know I am still alive. I'm currently working in the middle of the Persian (sorry, "Arabian") Gulf. This project has been an ordeal since Day 1 and the field work is no less difficult, but we see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I just need to hang on for 7 more weeks!!! Then, I'm going to be a traveling fiend.
Currently, I am working 12+ hours a day, along with everyone else. Since I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere, it's not so bad: work, eat, sleep. As soon as the field work portion is complete, I'm heading to Dubai for a few days to unwind, get a massage, and start the process of moving out of my beloved apartment. 😞
Backing up: I left for my job via helicopter two thursdays ago and here I am. It was my very first experience in a helicopter and I was a bit nervous. The heliport seemed very well run though and the helicopters are nice. The guys on my flight were
very helpful with me putting on my life jacket
and seat harness (I probably could have figured out the seat harness myself, but whatever). I found the flight to be quite relaxing and enjoyable; I think I could definitely do helicopters again!
I met my coworker, got safety trained, and went straight to work! We have onshore and nearshore drilling going side-by-side here, so there is always something going on! I started off with finishing up the onshore drilling portion of the project. Once that was done, I was moved to nearshore night shift. I sleep about 6 hours a night, so that was no biggie. However, nearshore is dependent on the weather and we were down for about a week while waiting for the weather to abate. There was plenty of work for us to do while waiting. We are all anxious to leave and I was only supposed to be here a week! Now, approaching the end of week two, it looks like I still have another week as more weather has come.
I actually enjoy nearshore. We get on a tug boat which transfers us to our moveable drilling platform and you climb up via rope ladder. Once on board, the drilling is immediately
started and is super fast! These guys definitely have a system down, which is comforting since it means I don't have to babysit too much. It's actually quite peaceful at night - no one around, no hot sun or reflecting waters - just straight work with me standing there thinking, "
I'm working in the middle of the Persian/Arabian Gulf!!! Who would have ever thought???" Last night was a long night as we ran into some difficulties that have not yet been solved. I was on board for the full 11 hours, and while the platform is stable, I still feel like I'm on the water a bit - that slight wave motion.
Meals are all provided here, but the night shift has really screwed up my appetite. I sleep straight through lunch and am too tired to eat at breakfast. By dinner, I'm starving! They give us a meal to eat while we are on the platform as well, but it's messy so I usually just eat fruit.
Everyone has to wear these yellow coveralls. Mine are HUGE on me!!! I was told they would shrink but nope. No shrinking!!! So, I feel like I'm wrapped in a giant tarp everyday. It is strange being the only woman sometimes, but it's actually much better than I thought it would be. People that work here are generally very friendly, but not in a creepy way. I was able to get nice accommodations as a woman, so I can't complain too much I guess...
Anyway, just a quick update - sorry if it is rambling, but I have limited time to post! I'll write more back when (if) I return home...
Advertisement
Tot: 0.074s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 8; qc: 23; dbt: 0.0427s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 3;
; mem: 1mb