An Underwater Future
A service engineer is a technician and operator of subsea equipment. The main tasks are preparation, assembly and testing of such equipment before it is placed on the seabed.
Once the subsea equipment is placed on the seabed the service engineer is responsible for tasks such as connection, control and maintenance of the equipment. The service engineer sometimes operates from the control room on board a service vessel. Here he/she overlooks the work, and tells the pilot of the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) which operations should be made on the equipment.
An easy choice
When Lise had to make her choices about education, she had already decided she wanted to work offshore. She therefore took a course in mechanics, before she moved on to well technology at Bergen Maritime Skole.
After two year of school she entered into an apprenticeship with FMC Technologies at Ågotnes. In 2007 she completed her two-year apprenticeship and earned her trade certificate in subsea installations.
Completing the course well technology also makes you qualified for trade certificates in other disciplines related to the oil and gas industry. Your choice of company for apprenticeship depends on what discipline you want to a trade certificate in.
Lisa had no problems finding an apprenticeship. Companies who want to employ apprentices contact relevant schools directly.
Good follow-up
Lise was very pleased with in her apprenticeship with FMC Technologies. – They have been very good on the following-up of apprentices, and we were allowed much responsibility early on in the apprenticeship. The company made sure the apprentices were included when new equipment arrived at the workshop.
- I was lucky and got to work offshore during my apprenticeship, both in the North-Sea and Angola in Africa. But I think it varies between companies if the apprentices gets to go offshore.
Lise now works on a fixed rotation with four weeks stand-by, and three weeks off. - I really enjoy working offshore. But I also know I have the opportunity to work in the workshop if things change so that I am no longer able to go offshore.
Exciting job
Lise thinks she made the right decision when choosing a career. - I am glad I dared to go for this career. One of the things I like is that the job is creative, while working on scheduled procedures. I am never on the same job for long, and there is always new equipment or problems I have not seen before. There is so much going on all the time I hardly ever get bored.
- Often the most demanding part is all the paperwork that comes with the job. Everything we do must be documented, signed and reported onshore. But this is also essential for safety on board.
The subsea industry in general has a strong focus on health, environment and safety. - It is important to follow procedures and rules. The work environment has to be safe for everybody.
Sought-after skills
If you want to work in underwater technology, it may be a good idea to do vocational training. - Vocational training gives a thorough understanding of the construction of systems. And as an apprentice you get good training and follow-up.
After vocational training you can move on to college. Bergen Maritime Fagskole offers a two-year program in petroleum technology with specialisations in drilling or subsea installations. It is possible to combine these studies with working offshore.
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