Working In The North Sea As An NDT Technician
David Emery has been working in the North Sea as a Non-destructive rope access technician for a number of years. Jack Kane caught up with him to gain some insight into his career.
You have been working in the industry for how long?
I’ve been working as an N.D.T technician in the North Sea for seven years now.
How did you get into this role?
I completed my service in the UK armed forces in 2001. It was at this time I was offered a re-settlement package and it was then I decided to pursue Non destructive testing and rope access in the North Sea. I did some research and was offered the opportunity to train in this field.
As an N.D.T. technician what does your job involve, and where are you based?
My role as NDT technician involves testing the integrity of welds and metals with a range of testing equipment to make sure they remain safe and support load. I work as part of an eight man team in the Brent field for a company called RBG Ltd which is turn contracted to Shell UK. Our team is currently working inside the columns which lie below the rig. We gain access to them by abseiling down via rope. This particular part of the rig is a gas tight sealed area which means we have to wear full breathing apparatus and take a range of safety precautions. Once inside the columns I inspect the structure with a range of testing equipment such as Ultrasonic and Magnetic Particle inspection. The other members of my team repair and clean the structure. Our goal is to make sure that this important part of the rig remains stable and fully functional for the next ten to fifteen years.
What did the training involve, where did you train?
I trained at a company called Talon in Aberdeen, Scotland; The training which lasted for four weeks qualified me in a range of testing methods such as magnetic particle inspection, Dye-penetration, and Ultrasonic. I am now trained to Level 3 standard and am often re-assessed to maintain my qualification.
Is the training tough?
Certain parts of the course required a considerable amount of study and practice. Anything you learn new is always a little difficult to start with, but with time and practice your confidence grows and you get into a routine way of doing things and gradually it becomes second nature.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people. I enjoy working as part of a team and the satisfaction form a well done job. As I come from an army background I really working with people as they make such a difference to your every working day. I find the majority of people employed in the UK North Sea are a pleasure to work with.
What would you say is you favorite memory in the North Sea?
There is one memory which stands out in particular when I was working in the southern sector of the North Sea inspecting the unmanned satellite rigs. We were dropped of by helicopter and left alone for six hours to inspect the rig. It was life changing experience feeling so remote and isolated on such a small structure in the vastness of the ocean. It was a glorious sunny day and a time in my life I will never forget.
What advice would you give for people considering a career in the industry?
My advice would be to do as much research on the path they are interested in following before they commit to training. The training is expensive so I would urge them to make sure they not only have the money put aside for the training but also to have enough money to cover them for six months after, until they gain employment. The oil companies just now are keen on hiring people with experience, and there are a lot more qualified workers than there used to be. This means they can pick and choose who they want just now. I would also urge them to be as prepared as possible, and to persevere until they get their foot in the door with their first job. From my experience I found it worked better not to hassle the companies but to be polite and make them aware you are available and willing to work. It always helps if you get on first name terms with the person that’s in charge of recruitment. If you persevere, and are professional and courteous on the phone eventually you’ll get a call back.
Want to find out more? oil jobs , then visit Jack Kane’s oil job site, search through hundred of live oil vacancies in the U.S. U.K. and Canada!
