Communication for Offshore Oilrig Contractors: Challenges and Solutions

Offshore oilrig work is highly demanding both physically and mentally, and one of the significant challenges facing these professionals is the ability to communicate with their families and friends. This article explores the current communication methods available and the experiences shared by contractors, particularly focusing on satellite phones, internet access, and popular communication tools like WhatsApp and Facebook.

Communication Options for Offshore Oilrigs

Modern offshore oilrigs typically offer several communication tools to help workers stay in touch with their loved ones, albeit with limitations. These include:

Satellite Phones

Offshore rigs often feature satellite phones, which allow workers to make calls home. These phones, however, come with a caveat: call costs can be significantly high. Additionally, the connection quality may fluctuate, making these calls less reliable. Nonetheless, satellite phones remain an essential tool for emergency communication and maintaining occasional contact with loved ones.

Internet Access

Many contemporary oil rigs provide internet access, though it may be slower than internet services available on land. This connectivity permits workers to use various communication tools such as emails, messaging apps, and even video calls. The availability and speed of the internet can vary depending on the rig's technological infrastructure.

Scheduled Communication

Due to the nature of offshore work, communication is often limited to specific times during the working shifts. This is particularly true for those working in remote locations, where frequent and immediate contact may not be feasible. Employers sometimes offer resources or facilities, such as dedicated communication rooms or scheduled calls, to help improve communication while at sea.

Personal Experiences and Challenges

Recounting a shared experience, one worker mentioned the challenges faced with traditional communication methods. The contractor described:

In the past, I could communicate with my family through WhatsApp because the rig's signal was consistently poor, leading to frequent drop-offs and failed calls. Prior to this, we used to communicate through text messages for more than seven years, but WhatsApp has provided a more stable and consistent connection.

Another contractor highlighted issues with social media platforms like Facebook:

My partner had two Facebook pages used for communication, but these would often be lost or disconnected inexplicably. My account, however, remained stable. These incidents seemed to be related to offshore numbers, as the Facebook platform appeared to drop these connections without clear reason.

These personal anecdotes reinforce the need for robust and reliable communication tools in the oilrig industry. While the internet and messaging apps offer significant advantages, issues like poor signal, unstable connections, and platform-specific problems can hinder effective communication.

Support from Employers

Employers play a critical role in supporting communication for their offshore workers. Some companies provide resources or facilities such as dedicated communication rooms and scheduled calls. These initiatives help mitigate the impact of the inherent limitations of working on offshore rigs.

Time zone differences also complicate communication, making it challenging for workers to keep in touch with their families and friends in different parts of the world. Coordinating messages and calls across different time zones can be a significant challenge.

Conclusion

While communication remains possible for offshore oilrig contractors, the process is not without its challenges. Satellite phones, internet access, and popular communication tools like WhatsApp and Facebook offer options, but they come with their own set of issues such as cost, connection quality, and platform-specific problems. Employers can provide additional support to ensure workers can maintain adequate communication with their families and friends, contributing to overall well-being and performance.