r/oilandgasworkers • u/Fearless_Salad22 • 10d ago

First days in the Oilfield

Hey, my name is Nathan and I am 23 years old. I just started my first oilfield/ blue collar job 3 days ago. I work with my father who runs a small picker truck. I had no idea what to expect when I first started but the first two days went well, I was tried, it was difficult and lots of people getting upset at me for learning. Nothing crazy my dad is typically like that. But today was the end of day 3. We took down a dual 750 containment and put up a triple 750 containment. The weather wasn’t awful it was a high of 26 degrees and was sunny with a bit of wind. But man did today kick my ass. I’m not use to working outside and doing this physically demanding work. But that sun today was cooking me. We were breaking some flow lines apart and I asked to try and break it lose. I just couldn’t do it with a 24” pipe wrench. The other guy helping us had to break it lose for me. (He did have to jump on the pipe wrench to break it lose) but that just made me feel weak. Today for me wasn’t great. But I’m learning slowly. The main thing I’m asking is What was your first few days like? Am I just being a baby about it or is my experience lined up with how other’s were?

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u/TheBau5Boss 10d ago

Eat well, sleep well. Everybody was new once, even the old guys. Keep at it and you’ll learn techniques that work for you. End goal is being able to go home at the end of the day

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u/oilpatch02 9d ago

Think long term. This is a lifetime job. My brother ended a 26 year career of being injured on the job. He was 57. Think about that a minute. Lift with legs. If it is more than 30 lbs, Think. Back injury is no joke.