Wellsite geologist : Employers and vacancy sources

Very few people in this role work directly for oil or gas companies; most are employed on a contracting basis for specialist consultancies who supply wellsite geologists as and when required.

The companies that specialise in geological services are small to medium-sized. These provide most opportunities for wellsite geologists. Other companies may offer wellsite geology as another service alongside drilling services. They mainly employ independent consultants on a daily rate, so wellsite geologists are actually self-employed and, therefore, responsible for meeting their own training and insurance costs.

The major consultancy groups tend to recruit regionally. For example, Canadians do most wellsite geology in Canada, and British geologists do most wellsite geology in the UK. However, this is a global industry and many UK wellsite geologists seek positions abroad where conditions may be more primitive but rates are still reasonably high. Many contracts are short term but well paid. Longer term contracts can give more security but are often less well paid. The exploration and extraction business is worldwide and thus British nationals compete with those from other countries.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• The Geologist's Directory Online   
• Oil Online  - covers all aspects of the oil and gas industry and has a magazine called Offshore Engineer.
• Rigzone  
• Oil Directory  - search for oil companies worldwide.
• Press and Journal Energy  

Recruitment agencies are not widely used, but check out appropriate agencies via the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) .

In good years, the main specialist companies welcome speculative applications. However, most wellsite geologists are recruited by recommendation from others.

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