On most installations or rigs you will have to share a cabin with a colleague – a bit like the cabin on a large ferry – with its own wash hand basin and, often, television. Shower and toilet facilities are not always en-suite.

In addition, there are generously sized communal lounges and dining rooms with a wide range of leisure facilities including gyms, table tennis tables, satellite TV and DVD and video players.

Communication with home is excellent, with the exception of cell phone reception which is not available. The use of cellular telephones is not allowed offshore in any case for safety reasons. However, there are ample 'public' card phones and the big production platforms have broadband internet access which means that you can send and receive e-mails.