By Matthew J. Hatami
The oilfield is an unforgiving place. Mistakes can cost millions—or worse, lives. Oilfield Survival Guide, Volume One is Matthew Hatami’s answer to that reality, pulling from over 1,000 documented industry incidents to create a practical, experience-driven manual for staying safe, making smart decisions, and avoiding costly errors.
Content & Structure
Rather than following the rigid, technical style of most industry manuals, Hatami organizes this guide like an engaging book you actually want to read. It moves fluidly between technical concepts and real-world case studies, covering everything from drilling and cementing to fracking, wireline, and other operational areas. The result is a resource that’s both educational and easy to follow, even when dealing with complex material.
Writing Style & Approach
What makes this guide stand out is its storytelling approach. Hatami doesn’t just explain what to do—he shows why it matters through real examples, including tragedies that could have been avoided. His writing is direct, relatable, and built around lessons that stick because they’re rooted in reality, not theory.
What Works Well
- Real-world relevance: Every section connects to situations that can actually occur on the job, in the field or in the office.
- Applicable across roles: The material is valuable for drillers, engineers, geologists, tool pushers, executives, and everyone in between.
- Balance of technical and practical: It blends procedure with human factors, giving a complete picture of how to operate safely and effectively.
Things to Keep in Mind
- High volume of content: Its thoroughness is a strength, but it can be overwhelming if you’re looking for a quick reference.
- Not strictly technical: Those needing only technical specs may want to pair it with more specialized manuals.
The Bottom Line
- Oilfield Survival Guide, Volume One is more than a safety manual—it’s a compendium of hard-earned lessons from the field. Whether you’re brand new to the oil patch or have decades of experience, it offers practical, actionable advice that can save time, money, and lives.
Rating: ★★★★
Who This Book Is For:
- Oil and gas professionals at any stage in their career
- Safety leaders, trainers, and team members who want to improve decision-making in high-risk environments
- Anyone working in or around drilling, completions, or field operations
Who This Book Not Is For:
- Readers seeking only technical charts or formulas without context
- Those who prefer short, condensed guides over detailed, scenario-rich material