Psychosocial Aspects of the Offshore Oil Industry

ABSTRACT The British sector of the North Sea oil and gas industry currently employs over 30,000 individuals on drilling rigs, production platforms and support vessels, yet very little is known about the psychological demands of this work environment. This paper describes a research project designed to examine some of the psychological and social aspects of offshore working life. Three operating companies and one contracting company participated in the study which involved a series of interviews followed by a questionnaire survey designed to collect information on demographic factors, Type A behaviour pattern, sources of stress, job satisfaction, physical and mental health.