“I’ve been on a North Sea oil rig since I was 22, earning £28,000 a month. This is what I face every day.”
These words might sound glamorous to some — after all, £28,000 a month is far above most salaries. But behind the high pay lies a brutal, demanding lifestyle that few can endure. Life on a North Sea oil rig is nothing short of extreme. From 12-hour shifts in freezing winds to isolation hundreds of miles from land, workers sacrifice comfort, family life, and mental ease in return for the paycheck.
Days begin early, with strict safety briefings before heading out to operate heavy machinery in harsh, often stormy conditions. The sea shows no mercy — winds roar, waves slam the rig, and temperatures drop below freezing. Fatigue is constant, as shifts run day after day, often two weeks straight without a break.
There’s no popping out for coffee or heading home after work. The rig becomes your entire world. Communication with family is limited, and despite advances in internet access, the sense of isolation can be overwhelming. Even off-shift, rest is difficult with the constant hum of machinery and cramped quarters.
Yet many, like this rig worker, stay for years. The money is life-changing, but it’s hard-earned. It’s a trade-off that requires grit, sacrifice, and mental resilience.
For those outside the industry, it’s a glimpse into a hidden world — one where survival, not comfort, is the daily standard.