The Chinese oil rigs and workers are working under contract to the US oil companies with leases in US territory. That is because the US oil companies laid off all its oil engineers and drilling tech in the late 80s and 90s when the market was flooded with oil and the price was driven below the cost of merely maintaining wells in the US.

The mining schools in the US pretty much closed up shop because so few graduates would be able to find jobs in the US for US companies.

Unless you are referring to the Cuban territory, thinking that all the mineral wealth in the world belongs to the US.

By the way, when you next talk to your oil engineer buddy, ask him where he thinks the next super giant like Ghawar will be found, and when will it be found. After more than half a century of production, Ghawar has peaked and is in decline, so its time for a new one of similar size to be found to replace it.