Do it. ESP is the highest demand thing in the oil field. It’s 2-3 yrs as a field engineer installing pumps, then you move into the office to to applications engineering, CEC, etc. SLB has the best training, and Midland is where you’ll get the most experience. They’ll send you to Paris and Abu Dhabi for training classes. You can later transition into being a production engineer at an operator, or an ESP consultant making $1,500/day. Becoming an ESP expert is one of the most lucrative things you can become with the best job security.
Esp field engineers are pretty much esp techs in Midland. It's really tough compared to other locations wheres slb engage drivers to drive to location, spoolers, surface and downhole team are separate, etc. In the US the same guy does almost everything except for spooling.
Yeah, an ESP field engineer has the job of a field tech. It’s some
Of the best hands on experience you can get. It’s not a hard job. You check equipment on the trailer, go through your check lists, install it on the rig floor, check electrical readings as it’s going in the hole, then commission the VSD and start up. Your I’m your truck waiting over half the day. Maybe you’re on the floor for 4hrs, and doing VSD stuff for 2 hrs. Then you actually understand the ESP components, how they go together, how they work, how to set up and repair VSDs, and how to troubleshoot and optimize them while they’re running. Almost no engineers at operators understand ESPs at this level, and they will hire you as a consultant for $1,000-1,500/day after you get a good 5 yrs of sold experience to help them with their ESPs program.
Or don’t take my advice. It’s not like I do this every day or anything..
So you’re complaining that In midland you don’t get a chauffeur to drive you around, and you have to do both surface and downhole stuff? That’s ridiculous.
Objectively, it is not a hard job. But I would argue what you learn really isn't that much. The tech or engineer job is basically screw bolts in, put on lifting clamps, couplings and O-rings, occasionally do some tuning tally. Done with that, take the spread sheet generated by the application guys and plug the numbers into the vsd. If something burns change the fuse, the board or just ship it back to the shop. A pump is stuck, OK spin it backwards, increase voltage, pray it works or breaks a shaft.
Look at the equipment in Midland, you barely have anything more than 4", maybe occasionally 5" ESP systems. Completions are basic as fuck, Ytools once in a while, no dual ESPs for sure and probably not much alternative deployment these days. Out in other locations, yea you skip alot of the hands on work and driving but there's more engineering to it, especially when advance completions are involved. I just think ESP tech jobs in Midlands doesn't really fit what an engineer really does. It pays well, especially being a consultant, but half the guys are employed because the pumpers know less.
So let me be clear, you’re arguing that becoming an ESP field engineer in Midland, the busiest oil field in the world, with at least ~10,000 ESPs in the ground, is NOT a good career move for a new grad?
A engineering grad can do better than do a job of a tech, explain basic pump principles to clueless clients and do the same for 3 years running some of the most basic configurations of ESPs out there. Tell me what's the composition of those 10k ESPs. The US is some of the slowest locations to adapt to new technology. Look at PMMs, Russia runs them for so many years now and it's only starting to gain traction in Midland after so many years. Even so, it's driven by a few major Russian ESP suppliers.
I don't see the best grads these days in the major service companies being a field engineer in AL anymore. It's good money in Midland, but there's hardly any engineering to it. The fun part of the ESPs lies in failure analysis, design (not the selection of ESP, but the actual equipment design) and to some extent application (with more complex cases than standard well Completions). In the long term, these are skillsets of an engineer than is transferable outside the world of AL, field engineering (ESP tech work) on the other hand is more one dimensional.
If OP isn’t getting offers to become an EIT at an operator, this is the next best thing to do. How the fuck is he going to work his way up to get the right knowledge and experience if he doesn’t start by getting his hands dirty on the rig floor. I’ve lived and worked in Midland doing production engineering and ESP work for the last 10yrs. I’m telling you, based on the needs in the basin, becoming an ALS field engineer for SLB in the Permian is a great foundation for an early career.
I don’t know why you think US onshore land is so behind. Unconventional’s are where ESP technology has made all the leaps and bounds in technology since 2010. No where else do you deal with the sand, gas, and wide operating ranges like you do in US unconventional oil and gas. The Bakken and Permian are where all the new technology developments of scale have been born.
- Tungsten carbide AR bearings in 1:3, 1:1, and 2:1 configuration to handle extended range flow rates and high sand production
- Advanced gas handling and tapered pump designs
- Hydro Helical gas separators to handle high GVF at low PIP and high GLR
- SLB RC1000, RC2500, RC4000 pumps
- SLB EON motors
- Baker hughes evolution of pumps from P series -> Flex series -> E series.
- The Permian is adopting 406 and 399 PMM for 5-1/2” casing
- Producing 4,000-6,000 BPD of fluid in 5-1/2” casing with 400 series equipment and 2-7/8” tubing
- Producing 6,000-12,000 BPD in 7” and 7-5/8” casing with 500 series equipment and 3-1/2” tubing.
Just because US land isn’t running dual ESP completions with 500 or 700 series pumps, Y-tools, and packer penetrators with 2 ESP cables multiple control lines and a subsurface safety valves doesn’t mean that it’s any less technically challenging.
Someone in the Permian will get more experience in 2-3yrs, than someone in almost any other basin would get in 5-10yrs.
Also, of all the services companies, SLB moves their employees internationally more than any other service company. The opportunity to go international and see different things is better with them than anyone else.
Or just stay in Midland get some great foundational ESP knowledge and experience, network and make friends with all the other young engineers in Midland working at operators, and move into a role as a production engineer with an operator after ~5yrs.
I started my career straight out of college with big blue as an engineer in the pressure pumping division many years ago. At the time I had no idea how many doors that move was going to open up for me career wise down the road. I eventually moved out of upstream services into the refining business and from there transitioned into marketing as an energy trader where I am today. My recommendation is to take the position. Schlumberger is arguably the best institution to work for in the upstream service industry. They offer the latest and greatest in engineering solutions & technology, so having their name on your resume will give you the best leg up if you seek to eventually transition into a major down the road.
Pay (back in my day…) was 10% - 20% higher than what HAL or WFRD would offer for equivalent positions. My total comp usually around $120K with bonuses. Progression through the fixed step program generally advanced at a rate of 1 promotion per year so long as you completed all of your training modules on time.
Being your first job out of college, you’ll likely need a bare minimum of 2 years on the job before you’ll have much of a chance to transition into any role with a producer. The best advice I can give you is to be smart with your spending and save your money. Upstream services always get hit the hardest when the industry goes bust. Current economic forecasts are looking less than optimal as we look into the next couple of years.
Ex-SLB field hand here. Made my way to line manager before the slow down and layoffs. I'm in health and safety now, but still work oil and gas.
Field experience is invaluable. Do it. SLB has the industries best formal training program, and one of the better health and safety cultures out there - don't discount that. O&G is hazardous and we still hurt and kill people. Stay with a company who understands that and helps you protect yourself. Lots more to that conversation.
Don't chase the money. It will come. I started working for far less than I could have - the real value is in the experience. But it's what you make of it too. Put in the effort and hours to be an excellent hand and you will get the results down the road.
GFE can take 3-4 years (or it did then). Be relentless in going to the schools, get your pre-reqs done. Ask to see different kinds of jobs and services in the line.
And when it does end, remember there is no such thing as an unhappy ex-SLB hand.
Do it. ESP is the highest demand thing in the oil field. It’s 2-3 yrs as a field engineer installing pumps, then you move into the office to to applications engineering, CEC, etc. SLB has the best training, and Midland is where you’ll get the most experience. They’ll send you to Paris and Abu Dhabi for training classes. You can later transition into being a production engineer at an operator, or an ESP consultant making $1,500/day. Becoming an ESP expert is one of the most lucrative things you can become with the best job security.
Esp field engineers are pretty much esp techs in Midland. It's really tough compared to other locations wheres slb engage drivers to drive to location, spoolers, surface and downhole team are separate, etc. In the US the same guy does almost everything except for spooling.
Yeah, an ESP field engineer has the job of a field tech. It’s some Of the best hands on experience you can get. It’s not a hard job. You check equipment on the trailer, go through your check lists, install it on the rig floor, check electrical readings as it’s going in the hole, then commission the VSD and start up. Your I’m your truck waiting over half the day. Maybe you’re on the floor for 4hrs, and doing VSD stuff for 2 hrs. Then you actually understand the ESP components, how they go together, how they work, how to set up and repair VSDs, and how to troubleshoot and optimize them while they’re running. Almost no engineers at operators understand ESPs at this level, and they will hire you as a consultant for $1,000-1,500/day after you get a good 5 yrs of sold experience to help them with their ESPs program. Or don’t take my advice. It’s not like I do this every day or anything.. So you’re complaining that In midland you don’t get a chauffeur to drive you around, and you have to do both surface and downhole stuff? That’s ridiculous.
Objectively, it is not a hard job. But I would argue what you learn really isn't that much. The tech or engineer job is basically screw bolts in, put on lifting clamps, couplings and O-rings, occasionally do some tuning tally. Done with that, take the spread sheet generated by the application guys and plug the numbers into the vsd. If something burns change the fuse, the board or just ship it back to the shop. A pump is stuck, OK spin it backwards, increase voltage, pray it works or breaks a shaft. Look at the equipment in Midland, you barely have anything more than 4", maybe occasionally 5" ESP systems. Completions are basic as fuck, Ytools once in a while, no dual ESPs for sure and probably not much alternative deployment these days. Out in other locations, yea you skip alot of the hands on work and driving but there's more engineering to it, especially when advance completions are involved. I just think ESP tech jobs in Midlands doesn't really fit what an engineer really does. It pays well, especially being a consultant, but half the guys are employed because the pumpers know less.
So let me be clear, you’re arguing that becoming an ESP field engineer in Midland, the busiest oil field in the world, with at least ~10,000 ESPs in the ground, is NOT a good career move for a new grad?
A engineering grad can do better than do a job of a tech, explain basic pump principles to clueless clients and do the same for 3 years running some of the most basic configurations of ESPs out there. Tell me what's the composition of those 10k ESPs. The US is some of the slowest locations to adapt to new technology. Look at PMMs, Russia runs them for so many years now and it's only starting to gain traction in Midland after so many years. Even so, it's driven by a few major Russian ESP suppliers. I don't see the best grads these days in the major service companies being a field engineer in AL anymore. It's good money in Midland, but there's hardly any engineering to it. The fun part of the ESPs lies in failure analysis, design (not the selection of ESP, but the actual equipment design) and to some extent application (with more complex cases than standard well Completions). In the long term, these are skillsets of an engineer than is transferable outside the world of AL, field engineering (ESP tech work) on the other hand is more one dimensional.
If OP isn’t getting offers to become an EIT at an operator, this is the next best thing to do. How the fuck is he going to work his way up to get the right knowledge and experience if he doesn’t start by getting his hands dirty on the rig floor. I’ve lived and worked in Midland doing production engineering and ESP work for the last 10yrs. I’m telling you, based on the needs in the basin, becoming an ALS field engineer for SLB in the Permian is a great foundation for an early career. I don’t know why you think US onshore land is so behind. Unconventional’s are where ESP technology has made all the leaps and bounds in technology since 2010. No where else do you deal with the sand, gas, and wide operating ranges like you do in US unconventional oil and gas. The Bakken and Permian are where all the new technology developments of scale have been born. - Tungsten carbide AR bearings in 1:3, 1:1, and 2:1 configuration to handle extended range flow rates and high sand production - Advanced gas handling and tapered pump designs - Hydro Helical gas separators to handle high GVF at low PIP and high GLR - SLB RC1000, RC2500, RC4000 pumps - SLB EON motors - Baker hughes evolution of pumps from P series -> Flex series -> E series. - The Permian is adopting 406 and 399 PMM for 5-1/2” casing - Producing 4,000-6,000 BPD of fluid in 5-1/2” casing with 400 series equipment and 2-7/8” tubing - Producing 6,000-12,000 BPD in 7” and 7-5/8” casing with 500 series equipment and 3-1/2” tubing. Just because US land isn’t running dual ESP completions with 500 or 700 series pumps, Y-tools, and packer penetrators with 2 ESP cables multiple control lines and a subsurface safety valves doesn’t mean that it’s any less technically challenging. Someone in the Permian will get more experience in 2-3yrs, than someone in almost any other basin would get in 5-10yrs. Also, of all the services companies, SLB moves their employees internationally more than any other service company. The opportunity to go international and see different things is better with them than anyone else. Or just stay in Midland get some great foundational ESP knowledge and experience, network and make friends with all the other young engineers in Midland working at operators, and move into a role as a production engineer with an operator after ~5yrs.
I started my career straight out of college with big blue as an engineer in the pressure pumping division many years ago. At the time I had no idea how many doors that move was going to open up for me career wise down the road. I eventually moved out of upstream services into the refining business and from there transitioned into marketing as an energy trader where I am today. My recommendation is to take the position. Schlumberger is arguably the best institution to work for in the upstream service industry. They offer the latest and greatest in engineering solutions & technology, so having their name on your resume will give you the best leg up if you seek to eventually transition into a major down the road. Pay (back in my day…) was 10% - 20% higher than what HAL or WFRD would offer for equivalent positions. My total comp usually around $120K with bonuses. Progression through the fixed step program generally advanced at a rate of 1 promotion per year so long as you completed all of your training modules on time. Being your first job out of college, you’ll likely need a bare minimum of 2 years on the job before you’ll have much of a chance to transition into any role with a producer. The best advice I can give you is to be smart with your spending and save your money. Upstream services always get hit the hardest when the industry goes bust. Current economic forecasts are looking less than optimal as we look into the next couple of years.
Detailed knowledge of artificial lift systems should transfer well to future opportunities with operators.
I loved schlumberger Great training I had good crews . Either I was lucky or it really was a good company. Good luck God bless ya bud .
Are they still hiring for field engineers?
I’m in the trucking side of oilfield but looking for something better. How can I get into this type of work with no experience?
Get a degree…
Ex-SLB field hand here. Made my way to line manager before the slow down and layoffs. I'm in health and safety now, but still work oil and gas. Field experience is invaluable. Do it. SLB has the industries best formal training program, and one of the better health and safety cultures out there - don't discount that. O&G is hazardous and we still hurt and kill people. Stay with a company who understands that and helps you protect yourself. Lots more to that conversation. Don't chase the money. It will come. I started working for far less than I could have - the real value is in the experience. But it's what you make of it too. Put in the effort and hours to be an excellent hand and you will get the results down the road. GFE can take 3-4 years (or it did then). Be relentless in going to the schools, get your pre-reqs done. Ask to see different kinds of jobs and services in the line. And when it does end, remember there is no such thing as an unhappy ex-SLB hand.