Commute from HELL !

After I left the rig to attend my friend Vanessa's wedding I didn't really think I would come back so soon. Anyways, things changed and I found out I was gonna be coming back out here. Im sure you all know my typical commute, driver --> airport --> hotel---> heliport--> rig. It is already kinda a production. Well my manager informs me that the day after the wedding I need to be in New Orleans. 

I wake up super early ( actually like at 9 ) then I head to Houston with the pups. I then go pack try to get all my stuff together because I haven't been home in forever. I get home pack, walk the dogs, I started to doze off then my driver is here to take me to my office so another driver can take me to new orleans. I get to the office there are 2 other guys so im thinking this wont be to bad the SUV will fit us comfortably. Then the SUV pulls up with 3 passengers already in it. FML now its gonna be crowded and this is a six hour ride. Then the guys say, omg I can't believe how hard it is to get a hotel, I wonder whats going on. Then I realize my manager never booked me a hotel. I call him and the only available hotel is the ghetto ass days inn motel, I know I can be dramatic, but this is exactly how I would describe the hotel. There were huge glass windows that opened to the outside covered by a sheer curtain, that had strange stains on it. The bed was like super springy. The carpets were crusty, like you heard them crunch when you walked in the door. I was sure I was going to be on an episode of 48 hours, New Orleans edition. I kept thinking of all the guys at the double tree enjoying a nice white clean comforter and freshly fluffed pillows. At least this hotel stay was for only like 2 hours. I have my 3 am wake up call then, drive an hour and half to the heliport. Then I have to wait 6 hours for my flight. ALL I WANT IS A NAP AT THIS POINT. Its hard to nap when its like grand central station and loud ass helicopters are flying in and out. My helicopter takes me to the rig and Its not as bad as my first 3 flights, Im not tearing up  or playing out traumatic water evac. events or crashes in my mind. I still wouldn't say I am fine and dandy in a helicopter over the gulf. It was nice to come back to the same rig and see some familiar faces. So Im not the lonely new girl. I didn't get much sleep when I got here, so I am now exhausted in the unit! 

I think I'm gonna be out here for 4 weeks. Don't worry, I don't need to go on suicide watch just yet. The first two will be good, then the last two will be the worst. I have it in my mind that all the extra money I make is going in the Vegas Vacation fund for me and my sisters. Rachy boo is turning 21 and me n Kelso need to show her a good time. Kelsey I cant wait to play our 20 dollar DEAL OR NO DEAL GAME lol 

DOUBLE OR NOTHING, Would you like to switch the case? 

Well we are tripping so I gotta go! EMAIL or FB Me I need to stay connected with the outside world so I don't go crazy : ) 

Murphys Law

If anything can go wrong, it will. ( I think I inherited this from my dad) 

I get called out the the rig one week before I have scheduled time off for my best friends wedding. I am out here with a guarantee that I will be leaving on the 25th. This guarantee does not include weather related issues. 

I am so annoyed my chopper cancelled! In addition to not leaving, I have to unpack, work another shift,  cancel my flight, rebook a flight for tomorrow. And after waiting on the helicopter yesterday, I am exhausted. The helicopter delay conveniently took place during my sleeping hours. I want to go home try on my dress and get ready for the wedding! I want to see my dogs and friends and family.  Today at work I have been pretty busy, which is good because I am learning. It is hard to mentally stay here when you were supposed to be home! I cant change the weather, but I am so annoyed. Being out here is like being trapped, I can't ride a bike down the street or run to the store bc i'm in the mood for something. It sucks. They say I will be working 4-2 shifts meaning 4 weeks on 2 weeks off. 4 weeks or 336 hours then 2 weeks off, like is it worth it? I could do a 2 weeks on 1 week off or preferably a 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Oh well I gotta figure stuff out. But for now I just wanna go home!!!!!!!

I finally can post the blog I wrote on the first day!

Welcome to the Fabulous Titanium Explorer

After I fly to New Orleans and drive to the heliport. I take off for my permanent rig assignment. My company has a 5 year contract with the Titanium Explorer and I will do my Mudlogging and Data Engineer time on this ship (it will not take me 5 years to move up by the way). After that I will hopefully be in a office traveling around the world. Until then I will have to make the best of rig life. 

I land on the Titanium explorer and am greeted with hand shakes and smiles, my bags are carried for me down the stairs and It was just a better all around first day experience on the rig. My company is notified that I am here, and they give me a tour. I feel very welcome and I don’t feel lost. Im am told I am working nights, which I don’t particularly hate. I work from 6pm to 6am. The people I work with are all pretty cool. There are a lot more smiles and laughter. Especially compared to the previous crew I worked with. 

My room is great there is a 42” flat screen and a couch. The bathroom is bigger and there is a lot more storage. I would compare it to a studio apartment. The last rig I was on had a room that looked more like a Mexican prison. The gym is nice also, I ran 2.5 Km today :) 

I’m not sure if I ate dinner, lunch or breakfast, because who knows what time it is around here, is it am or pm. But they were serving seared Tuna Steaks fresh from the gulf! I am so happy. They have grilled fish, veggies, and a salad bar!. The tuna was great and really seasoned! The chef looks like a edgy girl you would see on a reality cooking show, and she’s really nice! I am so happy that they are not serving pig slop, as my aunt Kelly would call it :) ! 

As for now, I am still stuck in the middle of the ocean, but  at least I am not trying to hitch a ride on a dolphin to get back to shore like I was last hitch! 

My job as a mudlugger, is so much more interesting than my first hitch as a sample catcher. I feel like I actually have a purpose in the process and an important one at that. I really enjoy it. However this is only the first day so hopefully things will remain good! Until then, 

Hillary 

Back to the Rig!

Titanium Explorer, built in 2012

Sunday afternoon I get a call from my new manager, hey how are you? I need you in New Orleans tonight to fly to the titanium explorer at 3:15 am tomorrow. Well here we go again! Hopefully this time will be less traumatic. More to come once I'm out there. This drill ship should be similar to the last ship I was on. I am packed and ready to go! My driver is picking me up at 6:00pm, for a 7:45pm flight! Wish me luck :/

My Day as a Recruiter !

Career Fair 

Last night I drove to College Station, Texas from Dallas. It was a three hour drive, the last hour of the drive resembled something out of a horror film. It was just a really creepy small town vibe going on. Imagine seeing lots of abandoned small houses facing the country road with creepy little churches and abandoned gas stations. It seems like everything has 100 year old white paint mixed with rust. Its the type of town you really don't want to take a pit stop in. 

I arrive at college station, its finally a big bright city, relatively speaking. Its not like driving over the hoover damn and seeing the vegas lights or anything, but seeing a couple restaurants and a stop light was nice. I felt like I had found civilization. 

I stayed at the Hilton conference center, it was an awesome hotel. I stayed on the Hilton Honors level, with other business people. My suite had spa features and a beautiful study area. 

The next morning I drive to Texas A&M. The campus is massive! They have a student population of 50,000, whereas SMU has about 6,000.  I park, then walk to Reed Arena, and see a line around the stadium of students dressed in business suits ready to enjoy the career fair. I was carrying my schlumberger coveralls (the uniform I am going to wear while recruiting). Then I try to make my way past all of the students, because I have to get set up. A couple guys tried to not let me pass, I think they thought I was a student trying to cut in line, I just thought in the back of my head hope they see me inside for a mini interview, after they shoulder nudged me out of the way. 

Inside there are over 300 stands of different companies hiring engineers. It was so amazing to see all of these companies here to scope out the future talent. I run to the bathroom and change into my bright blue coveralls. At first I didn't want to wear them, because everyone else was dressed in business attire. 

These are what coveralls look like! After I put them on I was treated like royalty. Everyone made way for me, like moses spreading the water. It was great! I get to my table, and am briefed on what to ask the students. I give mini interviews, asking their major, gpa, graduation date, then I get a feel for them. The lead recruiter said she trusts my judgement and I write Yes or No on their resume, and rank them from like 1-10. This is crazy! It wasn't to long ago that I was in their position. I felt like It was so hard to write a No on a resume. Well after speaking with at least 100 people and putting my heart in every mini interview. I did have some No's :/ I still feel bad, but I mean we are an awesome company we can't just take any schmuck off the street, yah know?! 

The recruiting is finished and I had a great time, the talent at Texas A&M was amazing these Engineer students are hard workers. I ask the lead recruiter if theres anything she needs help with before I leave, she says, "yeah can you please just help me sort all of these resumes.... any that are not graded a 10 and a Yes throw away!" My mouth dropped we had 10 recruiters, at least 1,000 applicants and only like 50 were ranked with 10's. I was like flabbergasted that all that hard work and talking to all of those people only a small percentage even get an interview! And once they have an interview, they still might not get the job. 

After this day of recruiting it was a reality check, that I work for a very competitive company and need to appreciate it every day! 

I know this blog is so long but here are some cool facts and FAQs 

Schlumberger ranks 26 in the world of worlds most attractive employers! 

FAQ's about Schlumberger 

Schlumberger and its position in the industry

What does Schlumberger do?

Schlumberger is the world’s largest oilfield services company. Working globally—often in remote and challenging locations—we invent, design, engineer, and apply technology to help our customers find and produce oil and gas safely and efficiently.

Where does Schlumberger operate?

We employ over 118,000 people of more than 140 nationalities working in approximately 85 countries. Schlumberger does not have a 'nationality' which describes its culture, but operates in a truly global fashion throughout the world.

We are often told that oil is running out. Why should I join an ageing industry?

Far from joining a dying industry, technology is ensuring that hydrocarbon resources will be extended, that the amounts recovered will increase and the challenges the technology represents will remain as exciting as ever.

Where does Schlumberger fit in to the oil and gas industry?

The oil and gas industry covers three main sections—upstream, midstream and downstream. We operate in the upstream section, which covers activity from the subsurface to the wellhead.

Is Schlumberger committed to equal opportunities?

One of our greatest strengths is the diversity of our workforce, with men and women of many nationalities and backgrounds working together and sharing common objectives. As a company, we encourage fair employment practices worldwide and offer equal opportunities to all our employees. We also try to take family considerations into account in any decisions about personnel matters or assignments.

My Commute Home
I work a six hour shift, head to my room then pack up my stuff. I then head to the helipad. I hear people talking about how three helicopters canceled today due to severe weather. I start thinking what would be worse staying on a the rig, or flying over the ocean in severe weather......staying on the rig for sure. Prior to every flight we are required watch a safety video, the helicopter lands so its time to go. I walk up steep stairs and I can feel the air from the choppers propellers. My scarf is flying all over the place and I’m sure my hair is going crazy. Im tempted to duck but none of the guys in front of me are walking crunched over. So I just follow them. This helicopter ride was like some black hawk down s$%*. I felt like the clouds were playing soccer with us. Finally we land and its storming and thundering.  Im excited to turn my cell phone on, only to be greeted with a severe weather alert New Orleans and surrounding areas. I have an hour drive to the airport now. Once at airport, flight is delayed. FML I feel like this is the never ending commute! I have been up forever it seems like, I head to the bar take a shot of whisky and wonder why people are looking at me. I notice they are eating, eggs and stuff. OMG its like 10am. How embarrassing, even in New Orleans 10am is early for a shot of whisky. (kicking myself, why didn’t I just order a bloody mary?) Oh well it feels like midnight to me so It doesn’t matter. 

Flight was turbulent, but to tired to care. I landed, got picked up in a stylish SUV, and now I’m home GOODNIGHT! 

Morning Sunrise!

This is my view walking to the cafeteria for my lunch break.