Can people with a criminal record get hired for oilfield jobs?

It depends entirely on the specific employer, the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and the role's requirements — there's no single industry-wide rule. Background checks are standard in oilfield hiring, and many roles (especially driving or safety-sensitive positions) have stricter disqualifying criteria than others. Some drilling and service companies have hired people with a record for entry-level field roles when the offense isn't relevant to the job's safety requirements; others set a harder line, particularly for felony convictions or anything driving- or drug-related given DOT rules for CDL roles. Being upfront about your history during the application process, rather than hoping a background check won't surface it, is generally the better approach — and asking a specific employer directly about their policy is more reliable than assuming based on general industry reputation.