⛽ Oil and gas in Stavanger: schedules, safety, life between shifts
Stavanger is the ‘oil and gas capital’ of the west coast and a hub for helicopter flights to the shelf. We will look at where the bases and employers are concentrated, what schedules are available, what safety courses and medical certificates are required, how to live between shifts, and how convenient the local logistics are.
🗺️ Industry map and roles — offshore vs onshore (service, engineering, inspections, HSE)
The agglomeration is home to the offices and service bases of operators/contractors: Equinor HQ in Forus, Dusavik and Tananger (NorSea) supply bases serve the platforms in the southern part of the shelf; the port cluster handles cargo, offshore and ferry operations. This provides a full range of roles: crew services (mechanics/electricians), inspections, maritime logistics, HSE, engineering and dispatching. Offshore positions require rotations and helicopter logistics; onshore — shifts in workshops/at the base and trips to sites.
⏰ Schedules and conditions — rotations, time off, compensation
12-hour shifts and rotations of 2 weeks offshore / 4 weeks off are typical on the shelf (variations depend on the contract and company). This is also stipulated in industry/tariff documents; deviations are agreed separately. Onshore — regular shifts/flexible schedules, sometimes shifts during ‘hot’ campaigns. Check the offer for details: how many paid hours in a rotation, how overtime is calculated, how time off is distributed.
🦺 Safety — courses, mock drills, health requirements
The basis for offshore work is Basic safety & emergency preparedness according to the Offshore Norge standard: fire training, first aid, sea survival, evacuation (including helicopter training/escape), working in smoke, rescue equipment. The curriculum clearly describes the structure and practical exercises. A valid offshore medical certificate is required for clearance to fly; OEUK/OGUK certificates are recognised for offshore work ‘here’ (confirmed by the regulator). Regular emergency drills are conducted on the platforms — check with induction for details.
🏠 Life ‘on shore’ — where to live between shifts, access to the sea/trails
For ‘short windows’ between shifts, areas with quick access to Forus/helicopter and the centre are suitable: Hillevåg/Storhaug (close to Busway), Eiganes & Våland (quiet and within walking distance of the centre), Sola/Tananger (convenient for the airport/bases). For weekends — the seafront and beaches at Sola; for a day trip, there is the classic hike to Preikestolen: express buses run from the centre to the start of the trail.
✈️ Logistics — airport, helicopters, ferries and public transport
Helicopter flights to the installations are operated from Stavanger Airport Sola (helicopter terminal; operators Bristow and CHC). To the city/Sandnes — Flybussen (airport shuttle) and Kolumbus city buses; there are 30-day tickets for buses/ferries/trains (North Jæren). For car trips north on the E39, there is a Mortavika–Arsvågen ferry (frequent departures).
📋 GWO/OGUK: what to show at entry
- ✅ Offshore (oil & gas): Basic safety & emergency preparedness (Offshore Norge) + offshore medical (recognized OEUK/OGUK)
- ✅ Transition to offshore wind: GWO BST modules useful (for mixed portfolio with wind transfers)
- ✅ Keep certificate copies + expiry dates in CV and on phone (PDF/Wallet)
💰 Monthly budget between rotations (draft)
- ✅ Housing for a month (studio/room near Busway or Sola)
- ✅ Transport: 30-day Kolumbus pass / Flybussen airport shuttle
- ✅ PPE/replacement: S3 work boots, thermal layers, ear protection
- ✅ “Buffer” for extra tickets/taxi (late arrivals / early departures)
- ✅ Sports/trekking: Preikestolen / Sola beaches — quick recovery
✅ Mini checklist (quick route)
- Update your CV: rotations (readiness 2/4), safety+medical with dates.
- Set up alerts on NAV/FINN + Equinor/Aker Solutions careers.
- Check locations: Forus/Dusavik/Tananger; accommodation with access to Busway/airport.
- Think through flight logistics: Sola helicopter terminal, Flybussen/Kolumbus.
- For the weekend: a ‘quick recharge’ plan — Preikestolen or Sola beaches.
The Stavanger region is a convenient entry point to offshore: close to HQ and bases, flights from Sola, strong logistics and natural ‘recharges’ within an hour of the centre. Cover safety/medical, determine your desired rotation and choose — base, platform or hybrid roles between shore and sea.
❓ FAQ
Collect “anchor” sites: Arbeidsplassen/NAV, FINN Jobb (filters ‘offshore/industri’), careers at Equinor, Aker Solutions, as well as bases/logistics (NorSea). In your application, indicate your rotation preferences and current certifications (safety/medical).
The standard is 12-hour shifts, 2/4 rotations (other options are available under local agreements). Time off and compensation are described in the tariff documents and offer.
Offshore: accommodation on the rig, strict HSE procedures, helicopter logistics and drills, strict PPE discipline. Onshore: work at the base/in the workshop/in the office, shifts or hybrid, trips to sites/port. Supply bases Dusavik/Tananger — hub for supplies, inspections and logistics.
For flights — valid offshore medical certificate (OEUK accepted), basic safety course according to Offshore Norge standard; drills are mandatory. Schedules are agreed upon in the contract/offer; on the North Sea, they are usually 2/4.
Equinor (HQ, Forus), Aker Solutions (Stavanger office), logistics/base operators (NorSea Dusavik/Tananger), shipping lines and suppliers in Risavika/Tananger.
Yes: service team assistants, base technicians, warehouse/logistics, entry-level HSE coordinators. However, offshore positions require completion of a safety course and a medical certificate; some of the entry-level roles are onshore (with subsequent transfer offshore).
