The oil industry is a global industry with oilrigs situated all over the world. These rigs are crewed by locals and foreign workers. Most oil workers agree that even though the work is physically challenging they enjoy the work, since it is a well paying job that offers lots of leisure time. Working in the Middle East oil industry that provides the largest part of the world?s oil will provide a challenging, but well paying job.

The Middle East currently produces 29-31% of the world?s oil per day and it seems that production will increase rapidly over the coming decade. There are many areas in the Middle East which have not been explored to its full capacity like Jordan, West Iraq and Syria.

With all that is happing in that part of the world working in the Middle East oil industry might not seem to be such a good idea. On the contrary, companies that have oil interests in the area go to extreme lengths to protect their investment and personnel. One of the best benefits of working in this industry is the salary. A roustabout earns between $300 and $ 350 per day, that comes to a yearly salary of between $ 40 000 and $ 48 000. Higher up in the ranks you will earn even more. Supervisory positions have a salary scale of between $70 000 and $ 110 000 per year. Taking into consideration that oil workers only work half the year, this is a well paying job.

Other benefits that workers on the oilrig enjoy are free medical service, email and Internet facilities to communicate with friends and family, all business calls are paid for, free cleaning and laundry service.

Oil fields in the Middle East

Working in the Middle East oil industry will take you to the following oil fields:

Abu Dhabi - Umm Shaif Field, Zakum Field Bahrain - Awali Iraq - East Baghdad; Kirkuk; and Rumaila. Iran ? Abouzar; Aghajari. Ahwaz; Balal; Dehluran and Esfandiar; Gachsaran; Marun; Naftshahr; Nowrouz; Salman; and Yadavaran.

Kuwait ? Burgan; Raudhatain and Sabriya Oman - Yibal Qatar - Bul Hanine; and Dukhan. Saudi Arabia ? Shaybah; Abu Hadriya; Abqaiq; Berri; Fadhili; Ghawar; Harmaliya; Manifa and Qatif

Neutral Zone - Safaniya-Khafji

Yemen ? Alif and Camaal

Education and training to work in the oil industry

With the wide variety of jobs in the oil industry, almost any educational background can be accommodated. Working in the Middle East oil industry and starting at the bottom, as a roughneck, requires very little education or practical experience. The only requirement is that a physical fitness exam is passed. Hard work and dedication will enable workers to work their way up through the ranks. To be promoted oil workers should learn new skills and gain as much experience as possible. Specialized jobs, for example, geophysicist or petroleum engineers require a degree.