What are remaining expat opportunities for US upstream?
Guyana? India? Mozambique?
15 replies (most recent on top)
Job Posting at my former employer were a great way to know what jobs were available and what projects were kicking off.
EM would never let the employees see what jobs were available and express interest in upcoming jobs. The nearest thing EM has is job announcements letting the employees know after the fact what jobs were available that were already decided and you did not get.
@4mhn+1uKkYlWE. No their statement is false. If that was the case nobody would expat. However I get the jist of what he/she
saying.
What they don't tell folks is most expat locations require you to have an overall good track record of ranking well and have high potential (not 38 but typically 28+) which you may or may not know depending on your boss. You can get on an expat assignment if you have connections but it can be rather difficult at ExxonMobil. The company complains about people not wanting to go to "XYZ" but they only go after a certain group of folks. These folks do not always have the experience but rather chosen by others.
Also- You have to see if your profile is even visible. I've heard on many occasions of Supervisors not having their employees profiles available and S&D not being able to see it.
I still see a lot of ex-pats although much less than before. Is it really only CL38s? How many CL38s are there out there? I thought this potential was basically right below management executive committee
The annual cut to Expat benefits means it is a break even to money loss to go overseas.
The main benefit that I see now in an expat assignment is escaping Campus and not having to fill a timesheet/beg for work.
Really not worth it anymore. The benefits have all been cut so much. Add in a healthy dose of ranking decline and you are sc--wed.
If you single with no kids the opportunities are a bit easier in some locations, like Guyana. Housing is limited for families and you would have to be willing to go without your family which is a ki-ler for most.
Paupa is up in the air right now for the expansion project and the existing facility has limited roles.
Mozambique seems like it's taking off with FEED but not sure of opportunities. Probably limited to who you know (to get on).
Personally, if you do manage to expat focus on making your money and staying out of the typically B.S. Your workload will increase and ranking may slide (another story) but f- it.... Make your money and go. Be sure to take frequent trips out of country (depending on where you are at).
Like another person stated, that extra money adds up. I have been on an expat assignment myself and managed to save alot! I also wasn't and still not a "HIPOP"
Unless you're a CL potential of 38 there are no opportunities. The company really should be more transparent about expats going forward
Expat assignments now reserved for HiPos and BTC personnel.
Regular US employees not considered. Our JV partners request expats from EM but EM has a new policy of only sending HiPos as Managers for development or BTC into working level positions for their career development.
Only expat work I know of is working through a contract company. We use to have to resign at Aramco then work for the contract company. After the expat assignment was done we had to reapply for our job. Most people would just continue working for the contract company because of the pay. I was making almost double my salary at Aramco. With the $90,000 tax free benefit, flights, and food and housing allowance I was up to triple my annual salary at ARAMCO. If you save just the 90K tax free in 10 years you will have 900K or more. Most of my assignments were in the middle east specifically the Saudi Arabian peninsula. Expat is out there you just have to find a good deal. I am not in a position to travel for exxon that is reserved for the children. I have to get the children ready to travel and prep them. I stay in the rear with the gear and it is ok. travel is for the young and pretty not the old and wise.
There are no opportunities only assignments now. Benefits for being an expat have been gutted. Expat teams are understaffed and require you to work excessive hours. Often being an expat results in your ranking falling as the most important aspect of ranking is lost which is visibility to top management. Avoid expat assignments if offered. They are career killers.
Expat op is not existent these days and reserved only for high flyers (see your sponsor for details)
Opportunities in Midland or Carlsbad
OP do you work for ExxonMobil? There ain't any expat assignments anymore at ExxonMobil unless you're located in India. All others are gone unless you spread your legs for a member of the MC at La Quinta.
If you're not from Bangalore, then you're only going to get an ex pat if you're HIPO.
Bangalore to Midland is about the only one left.