Anyone here ever been to Kazakhstan, working for TCO/Chevron? How is the work, co-workers, camps, etc? Most jobs look like 28/28 rotation.
Pay looks good, weather looks cold.
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Rotating at TCO is half the work for triple the pay. Works for me.
I retired from Chevron last year (35 year legacy Chevron employee) and worked twice in TCO as a rotator in FE supporting operations. I also worked in a few other international locations, as a rotator and resident.
My opinion is that TCO is the best international location to work. I worked in the FE organization for most of my career and both assignments in TCO.
The work life and the location are both challenging, and I would do it again with no hesitation. I found the Kazak FE employees to be highly motivated and very intelligent. We recruit from the best universities in Kazakhstan and it shows.
When you are rotating at TCO you will work long hours and have more to do than time allows. Because of the economics of TCO the work is important and rewarding. Which means getting resources (money and people) is well supported by management.
The camp is ok and the food is ok. I did not see a lot of socialization like I saw in Angola and Indonesia.
If you have not been on a rotational assignment, I would say the most difficult part is being away from home every other month. That means you will miss birthdays, anniversaries and holidays with your family, every other year. The nice thing about 28/28 is that one year you are home for the event, but the next year you are at work. For one time special events it usually possible to negotiate with your b2b to get time off for graduations, weddings, etc. not guaranteed, but most people will be flexible to accommodate special situations.
I hope this helped.
TCO 3GP project is behind, are they bringing on more people now to help construction and startup? What is the Start-Up date now?
most all at TCO work long hours, but those EBU people who live in the mountains of KZ take all the credit. DM and his LT are all so full of themselves.
I’m in TCO HQ on a residential assignment. It’s not horrible, especially now that we are post-pandemic. Workload is very high, and everything is urgent and last minute - not sure if that’s cultural or the nature of the TCO beast. Attributes to be successful here are a very solid ability to prioritize your work, willingness to work long hours or odd hours (at least two days a week I work my full day and then have calls with Houston in the evening). Like any place there are issues (HR here is the worst I’ve ever experienced), but overall the work is challenging and rewarding, most of the expats here are top tier and good to work with, and if you venture outside the walls of Dostyk Village you will find great friends in the local population. Plus Kazakhstan is a pretty cool country to explore, not to mention easy access to a bunch of awesome countries that are tough to get to from NA. Would for sure recommend a resident position if you can snag one and you’re family is a bit adventurous.
3GP is starting up soon, many expats will have to leave pretty soon... big layoffs always come after project completion. Might be better to stay away from TCO for a while.
Like virtually all foreign assignments these days, there are fewer and fewer American expats there, which means you'll be expected to carry a heavier workload, bail out the locals, and be expected to 'train' them 'in your spare time'. You really, really better like (or need) the premium.
How much is the pay uplift? Seems like a good assignment if you're early career, single, or later career empty nester, hit a PSG ceiling, and wanting to become FIRE.
In reference to layoffs? I don't think it makes much difference, or at least it shouldn't.
Like most high-premium foreign assignments, the money is good, the work is staggering (long hours, no real career advancement value), the home life or off-time is terrible. Do not subject you family to this, only do it if you are young, single, and no one is depending on you.
Does TCO camp have full amenities like full USABLE gym with weights, swimming pool, sauna, etc?
Go for the cash, it’s good; at least for awhile. If you have a number you are working towards, it keeps you focused. The local Pie is okay, not my favorite flavor, but it works in a pinch.
If you love mosquitoes, it’s the place to be!
You go work rotational assignments for the paycheck, not the experience. You travel on your own time so 28 days off turns into 25.
I did it for the money and nothing else. I was a single man during those 4 years I worked at TCO/Tengiz. I’m a family man now and wouldn’t put up with that kind of work anymore, even if they raised my pay.
The weather is extreme (hot as in plus 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the Summer; cold in much of the Fall and extended Winter- be prepared for the negative wind chill factor when wind blows through Tengiz on the way to Siberia).
Be prepared for "camp life" in Tengiz (we used to laugh that the perimeter fence was to keep people in because there were no locals who would try to get in to camp). It's great work for 28 straight days and you earn a nice premium but it's NOT for everyone (if you like to experience local activities--- you have little time in Atyrau and less time in Almaty and Astana.)
Yes and it is a nightmare.
Care to elaborate?
Yes and it is a nightmare.