Oil rig workers claim system ‘rotten to core’
Kiwi oil rig workers claim the industry is ‘‘rotten to the core’’, angry that most senior jobs on a newly-arrived rig were handed to foreigners.
Stuff spoke to seven experienced rig workers overlooked for positions on the Archer Emerald rig, which has arrived off the Taranaki coast to drill up to five exploratory wells for Austrianbased company OMV New Zealand.
Rig workers claim it’s part of a longstanding pattern where Kiwis miss out, or take lowerranked positions with the best jobs going to foreign workers – despite them being advertised here.
The boss of the Kiwi recruitment company which hires locals onto the rigs argues it’s a case of perception, rather than reality.
David Bishop, managing director of New Plymouth-based Atlas Recruitment, said about 75 per cent of jobs on the Emerald had gone to locals.
‘‘The proof is in the pudding. That perception is there – but it is just factually incorrect, period.’’
The law says companies can recruit overseas only if they show there are no suitable New Zealanders available.
The workers, who mostly had extensive overseas experience, say there’s an oversupply of experienced locals because of the Covid-19 lockdown and New Zealand land rigs suspending work. All asked for anonymity for fear of being blacklisted.
They have support from the largest union representing rig workers, who say the Government must make changes.
The 24 roles which Immigration NZ gave permission for Archer Emerald to hire offshore are all senior postings: two senior toolpushers, three night toolpushers, three drillers, five assistant drillers, three derrickmen, three rig electricians and five rig mechanics.
Bishop said only 15 of the roles had actually been filled – nine were being used as a contingency in case replacements were needed during the rig’s campaign here.
Stuff spoke to two senior toolpushers, a driller, a derrickman, two electricians and a mechanic who all claimed the qualifications and skills for the jobs, but weren’t interviewed.
When the rig’s arrival was announced in June 2019, Archer Emerald said staff would be a combination of Kiwi and overseas employees.
Among the disgruntled workers was Mike, a toolpusher of 30 years’ experience around the world who would have accepted any of the five toolpusher jobs which went to foreigners.
‘‘I was quietly pissed off . . . but I know how their game works, so it didn’t surprise me. Anyone who has worked in the industry understands that.
‘‘But with the world closing up . . . it’s frustrating. I’ve seen this happen time and again. All over the world countries are protecting their industry and it irks me
New Zealand isn’t doing the same. It seems to me our Government isn’t doing their due diligence.’’
Another equally experienced toolpusher said: ‘‘There are so many in Aotearoa experienced and qualified to man several rigs of much higher complexity than this rig which . . . [they] are trying to make out is too sophisticated for Kiwis to run. It’s the same old tired bulls... argument each time.
‘‘More rigs are coming soon, and we just want to be able to genuinely compete for the advertised mahi.’’
Dave, a driller with 14 years’ experience in the Middle East and Africa, said the Emerald job was easier than his usual work, and he could have done any of the drilling jobs ‘‘with my eyes closed’’.
Electrician Bernie was unsuccessful despite currently working on a more complicated rig.
‘‘If I went to America or England or Norway, I would have zero chance of working on their rigs [because jobs were reserved for locals] but no-one here sticks up for us,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s rotten to the core, the whole system’’.
Stuff also spoke with two rig mechanics. One didn’t bother to apply as he ‘‘knew how Atlas works’’ and the other inquired, but was told there were no vacancies. He said the Government should ‘‘turn the microscope’’ more closely on rigs’ visa applications.
Paul Tolich, senior industrial officer at the E Tu union, backed the men, saying the Government must restore ‘‘some balance’’ and only permit a handful of overseas crew.
Tolich said locals were ‘‘discriminated against because these companies want to bring their own’’. His solution would be a national register of qualified rig workers which companies must consult before looking offshore.
A rig manager with 40 years’ experience explained it was standard practice to move senior crew around the world with a rig.
But that usually meant about five jobs, and hiring offshore as low as assistant driller was ‘‘ridiculous’’.
But Atlas’ Bishop said the Emerald rig needed a ‘‘lot of intimate knowledge’’ to operate because there were only two such rigs in the world and the crew had to assemble it from parts on its arrival.
Bishop accepted there was an oversupply of available crew but ‘‘not with the right experience and skills’’ and those rejected would have been pre-screened for skills, training, certifications, experience and teamwork.
Bishop said there was a ‘‘balancing point’’ to ensure safety compliance.
‘‘If there is a New Zealander who has that skillset, they take priority, we know that and make it clear to [the rig companies].’’
Archer Emerald originally applied for 36 visas for overseas workers, and were granted 24 after what Immigration NZ said was ‘‘careful consideration and consultation’’ for ‘‘highly specialised positions’’ with a ‘‘critical health and safety element’’.