In Focus: Life on an Offshore Drilling Rig In offshore operations, workers often work 7 to 14 days in a row, 12 hours a day, and then have 7 to 14 days off. For offshore rigs located far from the coast, drilling crew members live on ships anchored nearby or in facilities on the platform itself.

How many days do you work on an oil rig?

Fixed-shift patterns schedule 14 day shifts or 14 night shifts during a two-week tour, the opposite shift being worked on the next tour.

Are cell phones allowed on oil rigs?

For starters, due to the risk of flammable gas coming up the oil well, normal electronics are banned outside the living quarters. Smartphones are strictly forbidden and regular cameras require “hot work permits” be opened prior to use.