Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Exploration Jobs

The oil and gas industry is constantly growing in the U.S., and one of the biggest hubs of activity and growth is the Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Energy Information Administration states that offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 23% of America's crude oil production, along with 7% of natural gas. New wells are constantly being researched, providing an opportunity for those seeking careers in this growing field.

Even in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010, many oil companies are tapping the possibilities of the Gulf in both shallow waters and far out at sea. Some have revisited old drilling sites with new advances that allow them to extract additional natural resources from the locations, while other are more focused on seeking out brand new wells.

In the case of exploring for new opportunities, there are many steps involved in both seeking out reservoirs, taking careful measurements, developing plans for a drill site, and implementing the designs. This multi-step process creates many jobs before an oil rig is even built.

Drilling a New Offshore Well

Seismic surveyors, armed with the latest technology like 3D seismic scanners, will help find locations that could contain oil. After surveying a given area for potential sites, test wells may be drilled. Mud loggers, who are trained in geology, will then examine and test the resulting debris from a well to seek out oil traces and form a detailed picture of the surrounding sea floor terrain.

If the results point to a viable drilling location, reservoir engineers will then determine the best location for drilling wells, based on the size and shape of the reservoir. Drilling engineers will design a strategy for drilling, while reservoir engineers and other technicians will use complex models to measure pressure and other factors while will affect the operation.

Although the oil industry is often associated with the manual, grueling side of labor, there are many positions that focus on mathematics, engineering design, and scientific research. The efforts to expand drilling in the Gulf of Mexico offer a range of job opportunities that rely more on knowledge and expertise than long hours of physical labor. Even with sophistication in job title or function, the risks for being injured on the job still remain. Any of these employees engaged in offshore activity and injured at work need to contact an experienced maritime lawyer for assistance with any potential legal matters. If you have been injured in an offshore accident, contact us today.