Offshore

Graduate civil and structural engineers working offshore develop hydrocarbon resources. To get the job done, you'll need to be able to get on within your team but also be prepared to be self-sufficient.

The offshore engineering sector is concerned with the safe and profitable development of hydrocarbon resources. The main clients are operators (oil and gas companies), installation contractors, design contractors, survey and geotechnical investigation companies and consultants.

Engineers in this sector undertake the design and installation of oil production platforms, sub-sea structures, pipelines, permanent and temporary anchorages and assessments of seabed stability. This can involve conceptual and feasibility studies, site assessments, design of foundations and structures, installation supervision and operational management.

Graduate job roles in offshore engineering

There are graduate jobs working for the key players in offshore engineering (see above). Graduates will be expected to take on early responsibility and rapidly become active members of project teams that range from two to 200 people. There is also a certain amount of travel involved in the role since you need to go where offshore projects exist.

Skills needed for offshore engineering careers

Graduate engineers in this sector require:

  • an enthusiastic personality and the ability to get on with people
  • flexibility and good communication skills
  • excellent numeracy and IT skills
  • engineering pragmatism and technical ability.

Hot topics for graduate offshore engineers

The biggest development to affect this business area over the last five years has been the move into deeper water – now moving beyond 2,000 metres for field development – and the opening up of new frontier areas such as the Caspian Sea. The impact of high oil prices and resource shortages is also likely to impact the sector in the future.

Working life off shore

This sector offers a constant challenge to engineers and you'll be kept busy. It does take a certain personality type to have successful careers in offshore engineering. While it is imperative that you are able to get along with everyone in your team, you'll have to be quite self-sufficient to deal with times when you'll be more isolated.

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