Culture difference, but why?

By Ryan Skinner (email)

Today I met a guy who has worked in the offshore supply boat business both in the US and in Norway. If I wasn't used to it, I would have been shocked by how he characterised the show stateside.

To sum up his input in three areas:

1. The Americans weren't interested in investing in any Internet connections for their boats. This was a couple years ago and, even now, fleet broadband connections are hardly ubiquitous, but still a bit disappointing. He joked that arguments to get the owners to invest in Internet connections to make maintenance cheaper met with a response like "it's cheaper to get a Mexican to swim out with a piece of paper telling them how to fix something."
2. Accommodations in US boats compared to those in boats operating in the North Sea are strikingly different. In other words, the Americans don't exactly kit out their boats for luxury, or even enjoyment.
3. The Americans keep the power arrangements simple. They may run a single, small diesel engine for each of their thrusters. This means they go through fuel like a house on fire, but the boats are redundant and robust. Arguments that electrical propulsion or more sophisticated arrangements could reduce fuel consumption were met with this response: "We don't pay for the fuel. The oil companies do. And they don't care. We just send them the bill."

The American arrangements are, I am quite certain, more the rule than the exception worldwide. But I wonder why the business is so primitive in the states, all things considered. Is it part of that glorious American laissez-faire tradition, which is particularly strong in the southeast and in the oil biz? Are Americans more risk-friendly? Has low-status oilfield work just created a downward spiral?

I'm not going to say one set-up is any better than another. But I know where I'd rather work offshore...

  

Comments

[Duke]

The Americans are very reluctant to try something new if they a) have an established system or b) it has been developed by what they refer to as FN's (foreign nationals). They love that bucket on a chain dredging and they stay away from high fog fire fighting.