Most oil companies see their employees that are not actual engineers (mechanical, chemical, petroleum, etc.) as the helpers, not much better than hiring a welder on contract for a job.

The best way to make money with oil companies with tech is to get hired as an independent contractor. With the big firms there is usually always more work and so you could park your bum there for a long time (possibly years) and get paid equivalent or more than their engineering staff but without the other perks.