If you are the hiring: Due Diligence questions to ask yourself

Do the companies I’m talking to show a genuine interest in my needs – immediate and long term?

This may be self-evident and only you can answer this question. If you feel like you are being supplied by a body shop – that is likely what you will get – Bodies!

What should we expect?

Expect that if your specific project requirements are hard to meet, it may affect rates you will be charged. Also expect to be asked questions about your specific needs like:

• Where is the work?
• Where will they be required to travel over the duration of the work?
• What are the planned or probable embarkation and debarkation ports?
• When do you need them?
• What is the job?
• How many men are required?
• For how long?
• Do you need replacements for those men?
• What equipment will the consultants be operating and maintaining?
• What is the condition of the equipment?
• Is it operating, repairing, commissioning, and/or mobilizing work?
• Will they need to mobilize and/or de-mobilize equipment or the entire spread?
• What specific offshore certifications do you require?

What should we know?

One key advantage to a successful operations team is the variety and amount of experience. Every problem offshore is unique but there is no substitute for prior experience in similar situations that can be applied to resolve issues safely and quickly reducing possible down time.

Be sure the men are suited for that work. Having a feedback mechanism in place confirms that the men and women are performing, as they should be.

A team with experience together will tend to work better together when compared to a team of new men or men from a combination of sources. If you use a manning service to augment your existing service, there may be some inherent friction and personal dynamics to watch out for. A good contracting company provides teams who face the realities of offshore projects – as a team.