I was layed off from Chevron just over a year and a half ago. I am in my 50's. I actually separated from Chevron to take care of my wife. She had 1 year left as her ALS was killing her. I had to focus on her and making her comfortable for end of life (I am sure everyone would do the same). By luck I have family in Western PA. But from management in the know, have expressed the road will be not rocky but filled with boulders in Pennsylvania. Again from super low gas prices. I know West Texas is a crap hole, but beggars can't be choosers. My current experience is around these super slick fracs. It seems to me the western PA work, even as a consultant, is not managed well. Which will lead to another reduction in force. Which will cause me to get layed off again. I am hoping you ladies and gentlemen can at least share their personal opinion if they have any insight. BTW after dealing with my wife everything else took on a diminished meaning. There are jobs once again. The oil patch, especially slick fracs, is starting to hire. Hang in there, as u will eventually get employment. Not just Chevron but many of the majors and service companies. Thanks so much for reading this, it means a lot to get opinions other than a few insiders. God bless!
7 replies (most recent on top)
Stay away from AMBU, the ship is sinking.
Stay away from AMBU. Anyone who has worked there will tell you the same. Chevron will NOJV the Pittsburgh BU. Everyone knows this outcome. But Chevron movies at a toads pace. They can't quite execute the project. Midcon is funded for a solid 3 years.
Agree that MCBU has more stable than AMBU. The west Texas teams have long queues of wells to drill, are funded, and are making money current prices. The low AMBU gas prices are killing them.
I tend to agree with bfo. I worked in Ambu. There are some high quality people. But overall Leadership is unreliable. Consistent quality gets eroded. Too many who fly in from other BUs and fly out to new opportunities. Others who just don't want to work like a team because they're more concerned about individual preservation. Then you have some legacy Non-CVX EE's who bounced off walls trying hard or others focused on maintaining control. These issues probably exist to some degree in MCBU but I don't have any experience there. One thing I can say for sure is Pittsburgh is a great place to live. The people are genuine. Cost of living is affordable. Health care is top notch. Universities are top notch. A fun place to live too. God bless you and your wife.
OP, I'm terribly sorry to read of your wife's illness and your situation as well. I cannot give you any advise or opinion because I have none to give, but I pray for you and your wife. May strength and peace be yours.
MCBU has many good people, but some bad ones too. Like all places I guess. I regret leaving there and going to GOM as it was a completely different world and couldn't believe I was working for the same company. MCBU has a lot of opportunity, but you are right in that it isn't the most glamorous place to live. You can learn a great deal, but it sounds like you have enough experience and knowledge anyway. If you get the chance, I'd take it. I'm retired myself now and back in my home state, so not having to rely on O&G has been somewhat of a relief given the current rough times. Best of luck.
AMBU to me is in worst shape than any other BU. Just commodity prices alone will dictate this horrendous market. MCBU is fracing for oil and believe it or not is actually making a profit. I would be shocked if AMBU is around as we know it a year from now. I would work midcon and bank bank bank.