Education and Career Forum

Hi i am a drilling engineer in HOE Co Ltd, in India. I have one year experience as drilling engineer. I want to take up job out of India, preferably in north sea, Canada, or Arabian Gulf region. Please advice.

As an experienced drilling engineer with over a year of experience, expanding your career opportunities outside of India is a good move. The North Sea, Canada, and the Arabian Gulf region are excellent places to consider for seeking work in the oil and gas industry.

The North Sea, spanning the waters between Britain, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, is a major oil and gas production area. It offers high salaries, valuable experience working offshore, and challenging projects in remote locations. However, the cost of living is also quite high in North Sea regions. Large oil companies like BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips frequently hire drilling engineers from India for positions in the North Sea.

Canada’s oil sands and offshore fields in places like Newfoundland represent a growth market for drilling engineers. Canada’s oil sector is competitive but work opportunities and salaries are encouraging. Harsh weather conditions may be a downside. Canadian oil companies that hire international talent include Suncor, CNRL, Cenovus, etc.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations depend heavily on oil exports and aim to increase production through more advanced drilling techniques. However, jobs tend to favor experienced Saudi and other Arab national talent. Foreign workers must prove exceptional skill and experience to land a job. Saudi Aramco is the state-owned oil company that plays a key role in the region's oil production and exports.

While job prospects exist in these regions, cost of relocation, licensure requirements, and competition from local talent are factors to weigh. Gaining additional technical certifications, production optimization experience and safety compliance knowledge can boost your profile. With continuous learning and persistence, you can land a career-advancing opportunity as a drilling engineer in the North Sea, Canada or Arabian Gulf.