Anybody know what I can expect for field bonuses as a field engineer for Halliburton, BJ Services or Schlumberger? Weighing an offer and just curious about how much I can expect in field bonsues during busy, slow and between busy and slow times.

I've worked for two service companies in the past so I know what the work is like. No need to try and scare me.

It depends on what type of position you work in. Field bonuses vary greatly between product lines.

Let's say I was doing frac...any idea?

I'm dating myself, but as a graduate engineer, the bonus structure was:

- $40 local, in district
- $60 out of district
- $100-150 offshore

* Per diem given for local and out of district

Rates have gone up obviously since my time. $250 offshore I believe is the current going rate, but this all depends on the employer and service line your in.

That is close to the structure. Sometimes it is based more on the type of job- supervising ($30), troubleshooting ($60), installation ($100). Something to that nature.

Completely different on the MWD and directional side but that is about right on Frac. All companies will make up their bonus structure/salary differently so this is a tough question.

Masterplan: email me a t markymark5707 at yahoo dot com ... I was a frac engineer for one of those companies you mentioned and I can probably answer most of your questions....

email sent. Thanks.

Usually as a entry level frac field engineer, you will be making $100 a day, plus a per diem.


"Christ almighty, it's like I'm sittin' here playing cards with my brother's kids or somethin' you nerve-wracking sons-of-b**ches."

For big red, we get $100/day in frac. If it is a multi-stage job, we get $15 for each stage after the first, but that caps out at $50 (so anything over 5 stages is "free". This bonus caps out at $2500 for the month. During the slow period back in '08-'09 it was $1550. They are thinking about raising it to the $3000-$3500 range but that is speculation.

If there is no catering on location, we get meals per diem:
$6 Breakfast
$9 Lunch
$12 Dinner
$5 Midnight

This is all in the Permian area.

Current base salary is just over $62,000 (before bonus is figured in i.e. guaranteed salary).

ok...so it looks like the bonuses make up for the disparity between operator and service company salaries.

Nice plan by service companies to make sure you keep working.

FTA, how you like working for "Big Red"? You been with them long?

Considered the Field Engineer route after graduating myself but, I lack an Engineering degree(though I hear they aren't necessary) and I wasn't sure I could handle the hours.

If the hours are still a question mark then don't waste your time. My guys are working 90-100 hours a week on the rig right now and it is a grind.

DadsanAG,

The pay is good and I enjoy the people I work with, though I did grow up our here so maybe I tend to get along with the oilfield folk more than most.

A 15 hour day is about average when I'm out on a frac job, but we have a crew that is moving to 24-hour operations, so I will now be looking at 10-12 hours on location with about .5 - 1 hour drive from my driveway to location.

The opportunity for moving up is really great out here. Most guys spend 3-5 years in the field and then are moved in to the office either in operations management or some type of sales rep position.

The hours now are tough, but over time you adjust to it and you know that it won't last forever. I also work a 10 on/4 off schedule, so those 4 days off at a time really help. We get 2 weeks off a year starting out and you can "buy" 5 more days to use for vacation, i.e. they figure out what you make per day from your base salary and then take those days out of your paycheck throughout the year. I've never purchased any as the 4 days off every other week along with the 2 weeks vacation has been more than enough to get me through. Other areas work different schedules, though, so it's something to talk about when you interview.

I started in June '09. They send you off to a training program to teach you all of the theory/math/technical stuff you need to know and then the rest comes from field experience. An engineering degree isn't necessary. As long as you can understand math and fluid flow or at least pick it up easily, you won't have a problem. I spent nearly 4 months at the training program and it was easier than a semester at college AND I got paid for it.

[This message has been edited by fta09 (edited 12/13/2010 8:12a).]

Thanks for the detailed response FTA. You damn near have me talked into it. I've got prior O&G experience from Summer jobs doing mostly Flowback jobs and some Wireline work here and there so I've dealt with the long hours. However, when its just a summer gig, it doesn't really bother me as much.

Thanks again for the response.

[This message has been edited by Motis B Totis (edited 11/15/2011 10:01a).]

Some would. Others realize the position is a stepping stone and grind it our for 3 or 4 years. There are also a good number of people that wouldn't trade their jobs in the field for an office job. There are less politics, you are your own boss for the most part, and you get to spend time in various places around the US and the world. There are very few jobs where you can make six figures your first year out of school and mid six figures that second year. That type of money goes a long way to getting out of debt and putting away money to start your life when you get in the office. Basically, don't get married when you are 22 and you have nothing to worry about.

Happiness should trump all but, for 130k/year, I'd put up with being miserable for a while. Would love to shed my student loan debt in two years if I could.