Husband Affraid of Business Slowing Down

Amanda - posted on 11/08/2012

My husband has been in the oilfield for over 10yrs. He made it thru the decline 4 yrs ago during the last election. He has been a directional driller for the past 3 yrs and got laid off last week! I'm stressed, he is stressed, it's just not healthy for us to be so stressed... We live in Texas but he will prolly have to go up North to find a job!! I'm used to him being gone but its just the thought of the unknown that scares us !!

Sarah - posted on 04/30/2012

My husband was working for Union and it stacked out. I think it stacked out b/c they weren't servicing the rig and it was breaking down. They would fix it to get it through the next few days then it would break down agian...It went on like that for months. BP finally got tired of it and stacked them out. He wasn't with the company long enough to get unemployment and they are trying to relocate all the guys but they hired all these guys b/c they thought there was enough work for 2 years with BP but since they don't have that contract anymore everyone is without work. He's called all the oil companies in our area and NO ONE is hiring. We are in Fort smith, Ar so if anyone hears of anything please let us know! Thanks! I'm praying for all of us! Its hard but with eachothers support we'll get through it! :)

Darci' D. - posted on 04/18/2012

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Darci' D. - posted on 04/18/2012

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Julie - posted on 05/06/2009

Quoting Liesel:

I was just curious what town you live in. My husband worked in a little town in OK for about 2 years. Woodward Ok. is the little town he worked in. I met alot of the people there while he was working and they all said that Woodward went through a really bad drop in the economy. While we were there so many of the stores that had been closed down were starting to reopen.

Hi Liesel,

We live in Edmond, my husband has worked alot around Woodward. What company does your husband work for? My husband works for Pan American Drilling for the last year, prior to that he worked for Weatherford for the previous 5 years. He is a directional driller and things are slowing down quite a bit but we dont think it will shut down like it did in the 80's.

Good news to hear about stores starting to reopen that must mean they think things are going to pick back up fairly soon...

Liesel - posted on 05/06/2009

I was just curious what town you live in. My husband worked in a little town in OK for about 2 years. Woodward Ok. is the little town he worked in. I met alot of the people there while he was working and they all said that Woodward went through a really bad drop in the economy. While we were there so many of the stores that had been closed down were starting to reopen.

Julie - posted on 05/05/2009

Quoting Vickie:

Hi,
I live out in the oklahoma area.I am the house cleaner for the company man, I had about 20 to 30 rigs now i am down to 2...I t is slowing down, it depends who they work for also......

Hello Neighbor! We live in Oklahoma as well. We have seen a significant decrease in work and have heard of alot of other companies cutting back. My husband worked in the oil field in the 80's boom and lost everything. This go around we are seriously cutting back and like he has always said in the oil field it is "CHICKEN ONE DAY AND FEATHERS THE NEXT...."  I was not around back in the 80's when he lost his job but I have been with him for 13 years now and I know when he says something like that he means it.

Anyway, good to hear from someone on here that is from Oklahoma, hope you stay in touch and that everything works out for you and your family as well.

Julie

Alicia - posted on 03/18/2009

Quoting Michelle:

My husband has been off work for 24 days straight now.  We are barely scraping by right now.  My advice to you is to keep putting more money in savings and get at lease 3 months worth of salry saved just in case something happens.  I'm praying my husband goes back to work soon.  Hopefully this will not happen to you.  Almost everyone in SW Arkansas is down right now.

Michelle,

How are things in SW Arkansas now? My husband was offered work in Little Rock area and it would cause us to relocate from Texas, but we are waiting to hear how business is up there before making a career change/move to another state. The economy has affected everyone everywhere. I've been out of work for 4 months myself. Although I love being home with my daughter, its scary to see how so many have been affected.

Brandy - posted on 03/18/2009

We are in Estevan, SK, Canada and it is has hit us hard the oil has drop and not many rigs are up and going. My husband hauls the equipment and pipe. They are realy slow right now and with the nice weather road bands are on. they have already let a guy go and companies are letting alot of there guys go. It is scary but we are just taking it one day at a time and we have not ever over spent what we make so glad we were smart enough to do that. I try not to let it stress me out for it helps no one. Hopefully things will smarten up soon an we can get back to normal.

Tiffany - posted on 03/16/2009

Is there anyone in Louisiana being affected?  Any one working out of Venis, La.  It is going on 5 wks. now, no work available.  I have started searching for part time work.  We are relying on the strength of prayer to get us through this time. 

Deb - posted on 03/12/2009

The oil patch in Western Canada is dismal. Only 20% of all rigs are drilling and break up is around the corner. Many of our friends have had little to no work all winter. My husbands brother runs an oilfield crane and has not one job since before Christmas. My husband has only worked 3 weeks since before Christmas (and he is one of the lucky ones). The governments in Western Canada are in total denial and refuse to admit there is a concern.

Rebecca - posted on 03/12/2009

My hubby is the regional manager for the Rocky's. He cries because he has had to let some fantastic men go because of the oil biz slowing down so much. In fact, he went to a rally today dwntn Denver with 4 bus loads of oilfielders to listen to the crap that is effecting so many of them. It's tough out there. I have many family and friends in the field - and many of them have already lost their jobs. It's tough! You just need to be strong for your hubby and stand by him all the way

Arielle - posted on 03/11/2009

My husband also worries. He is the only one working since we just had a baby a little over a week ago. But like Colleen said, worrying does no good. I know the guys all worry, especially when they are seeing oil companies folding left and right, and guys being let go for really ridiculous things. Its hard for them not to, but again, like Colleen said, we put our trust in God and know that whatever happens, He will take care of us. I also try to remind myself that the THINGS my husband's paycheck pay for are not the important things in life. Our marriage and our baby and his kids are. We can manage with next to nothing if it comes down to it, as long as we have each other :)

Tiffany - posted on 03/11/2009

My husband is still one of the fortunate ones to have his job!  He was in Texas for "training" for a month so far this year.  The main boss was just in town today and told him they are closing the local shop and moving it to PA.  He still has a job, just doesn't sound like there will be much work in our area he will have to do a lot of traveling.  i guess at least he will still be getting a pay check!  We were afraid they were going to ask him to relocate, which would be a bad thing since we just started the process of building a home.  I am fortunate enough to have a very good job that doesn't rely on the economy for stability.  We are also lucky enough that the main goal of his job was to pay bills off, so we are living well within our means and can afford to take the hit for awhile!  Hopefully things will start getting better soon for everyone!!!

Tonya - posted on 03/10/2009

Hi, Im new to this chat thing but its nice to see mom/wives out there in the same situation.  I guess I should say not nice (giving the economy) but comforting.  My husband is in Arkansas (we live near Houston) and  he is told on his rig they have several pads to drill so he should be fine...but is he really?  The company did cut the DD day rate...2x's!  But I guess that is ok if it keeps him working.  We have a 4 yr old and a 11 yr old and I have been at home for 5 yrs... I have had some tough lessons on penny pinching...all new to me! Anyway, just keep the faith that it will all turn around...it has to, right?!  

Vickie - posted on 03/09/2009

Hi,

I live out in the oklahoma area.I am the house cleaner for the company man, I had about 20 to 30 rigs now i am down to 2...I t is slowing down, it depends who they work for also......

Cindy - posted on 03/08/2009

It is nerve racking.  My husband took a pay cut when his rig stacked out and he had to move to another.  Now they just got their pay cut (again) and lost their per diem money.  Between the 2 cuts he has lost alot of money and it's not really worth it for him to drive 8hrs. to work anymore.  Only problem is, no one is doing any hiring.  I agree, hopefully things will get better soon.  Hang in there everyone.

Kelly - posted on 03/08/2009

Hi Kristy,

My husband also works for Nabors in WY and I posted previously about the shift changing to the Thurs-Thurs rotation. Just wondering where you live and if your husband travels for work as well. I am so nervous because like I said, we have two small kids at home and the overtime that my husband had on his checks paid for his traveling every two weeks. We are fortunate that he has held his job this long with all of the rigs that are being stacked out but I am in a constant state of panic over this. Cross our fingers that things get better before they get worse I guess

Kristy - posted on 03/05/2009

My husband also had his days changed to Thurs-Thurs to save on overtime expenses. It will hurt our finances but at the same time I would rather take a pay cut than have him lose his job!

Kristy - posted on 03/05/2009

My husband works for Nabors Drilling in Wyoming. They have stacked a few rigs in that area and rumor is that they will stack more. My brother got laid off from that same area a couple of months ago. I pray things turn around soon or who knows what will happen!

Leanne - posted on 03/04/2009

yes, we are slowing down. I stay at home with the baby so we are getting a little nervous! Anyone of you making the shift to gas?

Amanda - posted on 03/04/2009

We haven't been affectedto much by it, but a few people in our family have. All we can really do is turn to God and keep praying that it does not affect us. The company that my husband works for is now on a hiring frees and is trying to cut hours even though they are staying busy right now. Wishing yall the best

Tiffany - posted on 03/04/2009

Don't appologize you really had alot on your mine so please keep writing.  My husband has only been in the oilfield .. almost 6 years.  I so understand how you feel about living "separate lives".  My husband doesn't have a set job schedule.  He can work 3 month away.. home 2 wks, home 1 month wk 2 wks.. is very nerve racking!  I have been a stay at home  mom since the birth of our last child in 2003.  That is when my husband started offshore work.  We are definately not considered "rich' by anyone here but by one person on his side of the family who begs for money left and right.. although he has calmed down this past month.. no calls... Thank you Jesus!   I also feel the isolation as you mentioned.  I don't know anyone in this field at all.  The money is good but the time away from one another is so hard on the family.  We just bought a house last May and have very little saved away.  We pray our money will stretch till the next job opportunity or I will be going back into the medical field.. and little Em will be in afterschool child care.(Very much want to avoid that but family can't help sooooo...) Try to have a Blessed week. 

Tiffany - posted on 03/03/2009

It is going on 4 wks tomorrow that my husband has been home.  He was home in December for over a month also.  We have already dived into our savings,  and are requesting  my husbands vacation time.  He hasn't been laid off but there are no jobs available.  He was told to call back next Friday.  I may need to start looking for a job myself.  May God bless all.

Donna - posted on 03/03/2009

We havent offically been laid off just wery slow hubby has been off for over a month, hes working for small company here at home making 1/3 the money, he has called EVERYONE he knows in the oilfield and everyone is either not working or is the last one on the rig.....heard it is booming in PA but how do we get in touch with companies that are hiring without going up there? we dont have the money to go right now... Im going back to work even though i dont want to leave our 13 month old daughter but what else can we do??

Kelly - posted on 02/23/2009

My husband came home from his two week hitch on Monday the 16th and on Friday the 20th we got a call telling him he had to be back at work 5 days earlier than planned because the company he works for is trying to save costs of overtime. They have now gone from working 2wk hitches that ran Sunday to Sunday to 2 week hitches that run Thurs-Thurs. On top of that, they just got word that a few of the rigs on their location are being stacked out.  This has affected our family dramatically. Since my husband flies out to work, those extra 36 hours of overtime he previously had on his paycheck paid for his travel expenses. Now with two small children at home with me, I am constantly worried about the call telling him that his rig is going down. I think sometimes that maybe the "big" company men don't realize how their actions not only affect the employee but also that employee's family. Scary not knowing what is going to happen day to day!

Michelle - posted on 02/12/2009

my husband has been off for almost 6 months now and has not been able to get back on a rig. He is now working at a crappy job for a quarter of the pay. We are loosing everything, house, my car.......... I am just waiting on them to shut off the internet and phones. I really don't know what to do at this point. Plus when you have to pay child support and the ag wont lower it does not help. To add insult to injury she dropped the kids off to live here. So now she gets over half his check now and we have the kids. He still makes just barely over the margin for us to get foodstamps. So pretty much we are screwed!

Marcee - posted on 02/10/2009

The bad economy has hit us here in Montana.  My husband was laid off, but was lucky enough to get back on another rig for a couple of hitches.  Now he is laid off again, but he calls the office everyday and we hope that he isn't laid off for long.  He hasn't worked the patch for very long, so we haven't been through this before, but the guys that he works with that have been in this business for years, say that it won't last long and the contracts and rigs should start going back up again by the beginning of March.  So we are keeping our fingers crossed and trying not to stress too much.

Shannon - posted on 02/09/2009

hey everyone, I know we are all stressed out about this economy crisis, but at least we have each other, we will all make it through this trying time, Life is a funny thing, I wish you all the best!

Jodi - posted on 02/07/2009

My husband works for a drilling company out of Alberta but works in B.C. He told me 2 weeks ago that they will be working all year around.But now he tells me they are on their last hole... So, we get worried about what is going to happen but then I have faith that everything will work out!!!

Ashli - posted on 02/07/2009

The economy has effected my husbands job greatly! He does flow testing and used to only be home three days a month. We are lucky now if he even gets a job every month.

Shatisha - posted on 02/07/2009

yes we were 2 ... got laid off this week offshore Herculese Off shore Drilling Houston Tx "sigh" my husband of 13 yrs has been working in the oilfield for about 10 yrs now made a proffession out of it driller, floors, motors, i remember him hatting the word worm he know it all land and offshore so hopefully the oilfield will get back in to the swing of things and no 1 has to worry where their next meal comming from .



all the best,

good Luck

Shatisha

Cindy - posted on 02/04/2009

My husbands rig stacked out before the holidays.  He was a driller and got shifted to another rig but had to start back at the bottom.  That meant a large pay cut.  I know it's better than no job at all, but he is worried because this new rig is unsafe and may not be going much longer.  They are getting rid of people where ever and however they can.  He's pretty worried that he's gonna get sent packing with no other job opportunity in sight. 

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2009

My husband still thankfully has a job, but I have started working from home too.  His checks are not even half of what they were last year.  If anyone is interested in a work from home opportunity, let me know. 

www.themomteam.com/wellness4you

Nicole - posted on 01/31/2009

My husbands rig got shut down on Monday. So far he has got 2 week stint on another rig but after that..we don't know. This is a very hard time for all of us!!!!

Bridget - posted on 01/30/2009

I wish I had found this site an hour ago...before I stressed out on my husband over $$$.  My husband lost his job the last week in November.  I don't think he realized how difficult it would be to try to get in with another company....and didn't work very hard at getting back to work until after the holidays.  Both, he and his brother lost their job with no warning...they said some company took over and within 1 month....they pulled out of all the jobs they had going.  Luckily, I'm still working full time in my industry, but there's still no guarantee that will last .  Thanks for helping to keep our spirits up in these hard times.  If I had read everyones comments earlier, I wouldn't have been so hard on my husband for letting so much time go between losing and looking.   Good luck to everyone!

Amanda - posted on 01/30/2009

My DH is worried about his job, I try to reassure him that everything will be ok. Normally I don't like his job too much because he is offshore all the time, but with what is going on in the economy I am glad he is there. He is an engineer on a supply boat and getting ready to get his captain's license. He has been offerred jobs by different crews that go out to the rigs, and he always saves everything. I am hoping that if something does happen he will be able to go to one of those companies or will be able to take his licenses to another field as a captain or engineer, doing transportation, cargo, fishing or pleasure cruises.

Jamie - posted on 01/29/2009

My husband is ALWAYS worried.  He is a piepline welder and we live in Alberta.  We are a young couple with one 9 month old daughter and he is always stressed about losing his job.  After listening to his woes, and taking them on myself, I have now taken a different approach.  I simply told him it's not "if" it's "when" so we need to plan for the worst and hope for the best.  Because he is still working, we haven't financially noticed a difference yet but I have started living like we have!  MAJOR cutbacks, coupon clipping, etc.  It seems to help!

I hope everything works out for everyone!

Kelsie - posted on 01/23/2009

i wonder if you live where i do. right now we're looking at no work until April. we're hoping it won't get that bad. if it does though, we're prepared and will do what we have to to make it. only time will tell.

Shannon - posted on 01/23/2009

Here in Alberta Canada my husband works for Nabors drilling and they are doing really well right now they have 51 rigs running so not too bad yet but who knows it's the oilfield stuff always changes and I feel bad for the men that are sitting and waiting in the summer my husband sat for 5 months but now he's steady and I am thankful.

Alisa - posted on 01/23/2009

Wow, it's nice to know that there are other families who are having the same difficulties as we are.  My husband works in the field, and up until about a month ago they had steady work in another city.  They would work on three weeks off one week and get to come home on the weekends.  They recently lost this work and are now stuck in the shop.  When they are out on a job they make daily bonuses and also get paid a ton of overtime and get expenses for food.  While in the shop, they are only gauranteed their base pay with no bonuses.  I don't know about you, but that just doesn't cut it.  We have gone from $2,000 paychecks every two weeks to about $800 paychecks.  I don't work right now, I stay at home and take care of our 5 year old and am also 16 weeks pregnant with our second child.  Things are really hard and we are hoping things pick up soon or we are going to have to seriously reconsider the way we live.  It sucks not knowing if you are going to be able to provide the basic necessities for your children.  I will definitely be checking in on this post often to see if anyone has any updates about what is going on.  I know a lot of companies are cutting jobs, luckily my husband's company is going to take a hit to keep their employees around.  I guess we all just need to trust that things will work out one way or another.

Ellen - posted on 01/23/2009

My Husband works for a pretty big oilfield company and they have slowed down production a lot since the election hit.  He has been fortunate this far to still keep working as he is an Electrician on the rigs, so they are keepign him working doing service work on the rigs that are running.  The company has already shut down 15 drilling rigs,  We are just praying that things don't get worse.

Amanda - posted on 01/23/2009

My husband and I live in colorado and work has slowed down so much. we don't know how much longer he's going to have a job. It's really hurting us because I'm a stay at home mom. I don't know what we will do. Hopefully everything picks up soon!

Tanya - posted on 01/23/2009

Well I have to say I hope Tracey's perdiction is better then mine.  From everyone that I have been talking to '09 is going to be a hard year.  With the royallty talks here in Canada, I have heard a lot  of the big companys are not looking at doing much in regards to drilling and production.  This is the third week of January and we have had quite a few jobs canceled at the service rig company I work for here in Alberta.  So far we are not laying off anyone and there are no talk of that.  But other companies are going that way here.  One of the iron shops here in town that builds alot of oilfield equipment just laid of 75 workers today.  I live in a very Oilfield town, it seems that everyone here does something in regards to the oilfield.

I have moved in the direction of most of you.  I am looking to drop some debt and bank some cash.  Unfortunely I would not be surprised if one of us loses our jobs as we are both in the oilfield.

Penny - posted on 01/22/2009

I haven't heard of many people losing there jobs here in ND and eastern MT, but I am sure it happening, my Brother-in-Law works on a Nabors Rig near Newtown ND and he hasn't said anything about it stacking. My husband is stilling building at least 2 rig sites a week, and there are always more on the waiting list. I guess we are lucky up here, we still have new enough oil that they are willing to go after it. We live on the Bakken Formation, I know right here at Sidney, it has slowed down but there are still alot of rig families living in Sidney and the companies are putting home bases here.

Penny - posted on 01/22/2009

I haven't heard of many people losing there jobs here in ND and eastern MT, but I am sure it happening, my Brother-in-Law works on a Nabors Rig near Newtown ND and he hasn't said anything about it stacking. My husband is stilling building at least 2 rig sites a week, and there are always more on the waiting list. I guess we are lucky up here, we still have new enough oil that they are willing to go after it. We live on the Bakken Formation, I know right here at Sidney, it has slowed down but there are still alot of rig families living in Sidney and the companies are putting home bases here.

Shae - posted on 01/21/2009

My husband was sent to Saudi Arabia two years ago to work in the Persian Gulf. It took some getting used to with him being on the other side of the globe! Now that we're comfortable with the change, my husband finds out that he and his coworkers are actually there to train the Saudi people to take over their jobs. My husband will be sent back to the Gulf of Mexico with a huge pay cut by the end of this year, possibly this summer. I know the Lord will provide, but the human nature in me is worrried.

Tiffany - posted on 01/18/2009

With my husbands type of work, we personally have felt the economy. One minute people say the the oil patch is going to do really well and next people say to find a different field of work. Its hard to know what to do. I guess we have tried to stop predicting whats going to happen over break up and save as much as we can to make things work. Its definatly a feast and famine type of work.

Tabitha - posted on 01/18/2009

Hey Shauna, do you mind if i ask who your husband works for? I saw that you said he is guaranteed his 50. My husband is the same way. He works for Superior Well Services here in Colorado. He was working for Halliburton but Superior offered him a better job. My friends husband still works at Halliburton and he is saying that even they are having a hard time right now. Superior is doing ok i guess. They have been doing alot of out of town work because there really isnt anything here in Colorado right now. Rumor has it, its gonna get pretty bad. There is one company that already went under here and another one on its way out. If Halliburton is having a hard time then I think we are all in for it!

Shannon - posted on 01/18/2009

in canada nicole?