Offshore rotations explained: 2/2 vs 4/4 vs 3/3

What a rotation is

An offshore rotation is the schedule that defines how long you work offshore followed by how long you spend at home. It's written as 'weeks on / weeks off' — so 2/2 means 2 weeks working offshore, 2 weeks at home.

Unlike onshore jobs, offshore workers don't get weekends. You work every day of your 'on' period, typically 12-hour shifts. The 'off' period is your full rest time and is unpaid — your income comes entirely from your working days.

The most common rotation schedules

Different sectors and regions favour different schedules. Here's how the main ones work in practice:

• 2/2 (2 weeks on, 2 weeks off) — the most common in UK and Norwegian oil and gas. 182 days offshore per year. Good balance for most workers. Travel is manageable as trips are short.
• 3/3 (3 weeks on, 3 weeks off) — common in offshore wind and some international projects. 182 days offshore per year. Longer trips but longer breaks. Popular with workers who travel far to and from home.
• 4/4 (4 weeks on, 4 weeks off) — common on international projects and FPSOs. 182 days offshore per year. Long trips but substantial home time. Harder on fatigue and family life during the 'on' period.
• 28/28 (28 days on, 28 days off) — common on large international projects, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa. Equivalent to 4/4 in terms of days. Often associated with higher day rates.
• 14/21 or 21/21 — less common, found on some long-haul projects where travel time makes shorter rotations impractical.

Pay implications of each schedule

Most offshore workers are paid a day rate for every day offshore. Days at home are unpaid. This means:

• On a 2/2 rotation: you earn for 26 two-week periods = 182 paid days per year
• On a 4/4 rotation: you earn for 13 four-week periods = 182 paid days per year
• Annual gross income = day rate × 182 (same across all standard rotations)
• Higher day rates are often associated with longer rotations — but total annual income can be similar
• Travel costs are a factor: 2/2 means 26 round trips per year; 4/4 means only 13

Lifestyle and family impact

The rotation you choose shapes your life as much as your salary. Consider these real-world factors:

• 2/2: frequent transitions between work and home. Good for maintaining family routines but the constant switching can be mentally draining for some.
• 3/3 and 4/4: longer offshore stretches are harder during the trip but the extended home periods allow for proper rest and longer travel or holidays.
• School-age children: 2/2 means you're home more consistently. 4/4 means you miss longer stretches but are fully present for extended periods.
• Fatigue: a 4-week stretch of 12-hour days is genuinely demanding. Physical fitness and sleep discipline matter more on longer rotations.
• Relationships: longer rotations require more deliberate communication and planning with partners and families.

How to choose the right rotation

• Distance from home to heliport/port — longer rotations are more practical if you travel far
• Family commitments — consider school terms, childcare, and partner's schedule
• Your fatigue tolerance — some people manage 28 days offshore well; others find 14 days their limit
• Tax and residency implications — some rotations qualify you for the UK Seafarers Earnings Deduction or similar tax benefits in other countries
• Sector preference — wind typically offers 2/2 or 3/3; international oil and gas often means 4/4 or 28/28

What to check before signing a contract

• Confirm whether the stated rotation is guaranteed or subject to operational extension
• Clarify how travel days are handled — are they paid, and do they count as offshore days for tax purposes?
• Check the 'mob/demob' policy — some operators pay travel days, others don't
• Ask whether you can swap or trade trips with colleagues if personal circumstances change
• Understand the notice period for cancellation of a trip from either side