Opportunities in the Permian Basin?

With your driving experience you are probably hirable now, but you're probably looking at $15 an hour. If you get the right company AND the right yard you might have plenty of hours. The oil patch is more cut throat than ever right now. Customers are watching every penny and every minute charged on the tickets. Many of them are literally looking for any reason to run you off because they know they can get another company on their location at the drop of a hat.

I never wanted to run illegal. At $20/hr, working 70/wk I was able to make around $80K a year. With a wife and young son that was enough for me. The cost of living was high but has dropped considerably. At the height of the boom 2/1 apartments in my complex were going for $1700/month. Now those same apartments are going for $900.

 

I'm waiting to go back myself. They're all going to elogs unfortunately. I ran legal for the most part, couple of 18hr days here and there but I do that otr now anyway lol.. I dont want to go back for no less than $20 (water). They love to preach safety but they sure are paying you garbage...

H2s is not less dangerous now thT the oil is slow, things can still blow up... Not risking my life for 15-18 lol... Plus working nights in the middle of no where, dark as battery.. scary as hell. (Grew up in the city)

 

If you want to keep some of the money you make you need to work for a company that provides housing. Not sure whats being offered now during the bust cycle. Probably can get on with a Haliburton and get excellent training but not too much in pay for now. Used to be theyd offer training nearly constantly and guys who took all the classes they possibly could would be earning big money within a few years. But and its a big but, the boom is over. Look for prices to hit 50-60-70 a barrel and things will be a rockin. Also our new pres says he wants to make us energy independent so who knows.

 

Lol. Sorry you had so much...trouble. Honestly though; did you expect major interstates and 6 lane highways with everybody going 55mph? I mean, it's the west Texas oilfield...not grandmas sunday afternoon trot the the grocery store. Sure there are fatal accidents out here, but show me a well travelled highway anywhere in the world that doesn't have it's fair share of really bad accidents. I'd still rather drive out here than in Dallas, L.A, Chicago, etc. any day of the week.

OP: Look at Pioneer Natural Resources. They are a #### good company to work for, and treat their employees right.

 

Also schneider tankers made its way into the eagle ford. Not sure if they are still operating there. I doubt I will personally return to the oilfields. But the boom will return sooner or later and the more youre prepared the better. During the boom most water hauling companies wanted 1 year experience but in ND theyd take anyone. The better companies wanted 2 years driving experience but tanker and especially oilfield experience was always given a second look. Haliburton has excellent training but not great pay at least not in the beginning. Might be good to work there get trained for a year or two and when the boom comes youd be golden.

 

You have 5 1/2 years experience with a clean record? You have enough experience. Ask to tour the yard check out the trucks and see the housing. If you dont mind living in extremely remote places you can surely find work.