Specific Pipeline Info (Anchorage, Valdez, Houston: employment, living, centers)

[JasonAndJulie]

I wanted to say "thanks" in advance for anyone who takes the time to respond.

My husband is a pipeline controller with a good amount of experience and we moved to Houston a month ago. I've moved A LOT over the years and found all my experiences to be wonderful in their own ways. I can not find one single wonderful thing about Houston and I'm already dying to get out of here. While I realize it will be awhile, the sooner the better for me.

I see that BP and Conoco Phillips are the two big Oil companies there (that I can find a fair amount of info on...I realize there are probably many) but not sure where they have their controllers housed? Are they in AK as well? I've done some looking on websites but I'm assuming it's like anything else where you need some more inside info to actually get the job.

I'm wondering if anyone can give me more info on the specific pipeline companies and hiring in's and out's and hopefully specifically controllers.

We are planning on taking a trip up next year but since I'm expecting our 4th child in November I need to wait until he will be a little older before traveling and certainly before moving.

Again, thanks so much for whatever useful info I get. I appreciate it.

[akck]

You might start here:

Welcome to Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

[JasonAndJulie]

I appreciate the help but I've seen it already. I'm not entirely sure they control from AK. There's some different employment sites I've seen but I know the pipeline controlling industry is relatively small and from what I've seen a lot of times jobs don't even seem to get posted. He may just have to make some phone calls and look around but I thought someone might have some inside knowledge??

I appreciate your time and hopefully I can get some more definitive answers soon.

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by JasonAndJulie

I wanted to say "thanks" in advance for anyone who takes the time to respond.

My husband is a pipeline controller with a good amount of experience and we moved to Houston a month ago. I've moved A LOT over the years and found all my experiences to be wonderful in their own ways. I can not find one single wonderful thing about Houston and I'm already dying to get out of here. While I realize it will be awhile, the sooner the better for me.

I see that BP and Conoco Phillips are the two big Oil companies there (that I can find a fair amount of info on...I realize there are probably many) but not sure where they have their controllers housed? Are they in AK as well? I've done some looking on websites but I'm assuming it's like anything else where you need some more inside info to actually get the job.

I'm wondering if anyone can give me more info on the specific pipeline companies and hiring in's and out's and hopefully specifically controllers.

We are planning on taking a trip up next year but since I'm expecting our 4th child in November I need to wait until he will be a little older before traveling and certainly before moving.

Again, thanks so much for whatever useful info I get. I appreciate it.

Which "specific" pipeline are you referring to? If you are referring to the 800 mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline, as mentioned above, that one is operated by Alyeska Pipeline, not BP or Conoco. Alyeska's Operations Control Center (OCC) is located here in Anchorage, recently relocated from Valdez. OCC Controllers work a 2 week on / 2 week off schedule - interestingly, a few of them don't even live here in Alaska, they commute from the Seattle area. However, Alyeska Pipeline is currently under a hiring freeze. The last OCC Controller job opening was posted over a year ago.

BP and Conoco, as well as the other producers, operate smaller gathering pipelines up on the North Slope. The respective controll centers would be up there. Best to check with those individual companies for openings. There are also smaller pipeline systems operated by the in-state refiners, Tesoro, Petro Star, and Flint Hills. You could check with them as well (I just did a quick search, looks like Flint Hills has two positions posted in AK, but not for controllers).

I hear what you are saying about Houston. I'm usually ready to leave there after a couple of days as well.

[JasonAndJulie]

I don't know which specific pipeline I was referring to I guess....more just that I wanted specific info. Thanks so much for all of your help! I will start doing more digging on the internet now!

Here in Houston the schedule is (14) 12 hour shifts per month, 7 days and 7 nights. The good thing is that it's 7 consecutive days off as well. It's good for our family really.

He doesn't mind the shift work at all, but I don't think we could handle the commuting thing as a family. I understand why people do it though, plenty of people live in other cities in Texas like Dallas or San Antonio and commute to Houston for their controlling job. Can't say I blame them after living here a little over a month. If our kids were older it would be OK but with young kids they really need their Dad's positive influence, you know?

Again, I appreciate all your info and anything anyone else has would be much appreciated. My Dad did have an Aleyska contact but that was nearly 30 years ago and I don't know if the man is even in the industry anymore much less with Aleyska.

If I have more questions do you mind if I pick your brain more?

[Moose Whisperer]

Originally Posted by JasonAndJulie

Again, I appreciate all your info and anything anyone else has would be much appreciated. My Dad did have an Aleyska contact but that was nearly 30 years ago and I don't know if the man is even in the industry anymore much less with Aleyska.

If I have more questions do you mind if I pick your brain more?

No problem. If you DM me I may also be able provide more specific information that may not necessarily belong on the public forum.