Watch Arctic Roughnecks

Arctic Roughnecks is a documentary-style television series that aired on the Discovery Channel in 2009. The show follows the lives of a group of oil rig workers in the Arctic Circle as they battle harsh weather conditions and the dangers that come with working on a rig.

The show is set on the Sakhalin Island in Russia, which is in close proximity to the Arctic Circle. The oil rig workers featured on the show work for Exxon Neftegas Limited, the joint venture between ExxonMobil and Russian company Rosneft.

The series is comprised of six hour-long episodes that take viewers on a journey to the Arctic Circle to witness the day-to-day challenges that the roughnecks face as they work in one of the most hostile environments on earth. The workers featured on the show operate on the platform that extracts crude oil from the Okhotsk Sea.

The show is narrated by actor and filmmaker Chris Terrill, who introduces viewers to the workers and the unique challenges they face. Throughout the series, episodes focus on specific workers and the roles they play in the operation of the rig.

One of the recurring themes of the show is the importance of safety measures in the oil rig industry. The workers are shown undergoing rigorous safety training programs and frequently checking equipment to ensure safe and proper working conditions. However, even with these precautions, accidents still happen, and the show depicts the aftermath of these incidents and the impact they have on the workers and their families.

Viewers are also given a window into the personal lives of the roughnecks. The show portrays the challenges and sacrifices that come with working in such a remote location for extended periods. The workers featured on the show come from all around the world, from Europe, Canada, and other parts of Russia. Many have left behind families and loved ones to work on the rig.

The show does not only focus on the challenges and dangers of working on an oil rig. It also highlights the beauty of the Arctic landscape and the wildlife that inhabit the region. The show captures stunning visuals of the Aurora Borealis (or the Northern Lights) and the wildlife of the region, including polar bears, walruses, and foxes.

Arctic Roughnecks is an engaging and enlightening series that shows viewers the realities of the oil rig industry in the Arctic Circle. It provides viewers with an in-depth look at the daily lives of the roughnecks who brave the harsh conditions to extract one of the world's most valuable resources. The show also sheds light on the importance of safety measures in such a dangerous industry and the sacrifices made by workers to support their families.

Overall, Arctic Roughnecks is a fascinating and educational series that provides viewers with a unique perspective of life in the Arctic Circle.