Careers in the Oil and Gas Industry

Seismic Jobs

Seismic Recording Crew Positions

Seismic crews create hundreds of small earthquakes using explosives and other energy sources. These vibrations are precisely measured by specialized equipment to compile a three-dimensional map of the sub-surface rock formations and petroleum reservoirs.

Seismic Helper / Jughound - Entry level labor position

Various titles for this position include: jughound, jug hustler, seismic helper, recording crew worker, and others.
very physical job
carries and positions seismic cables and geophones through all types of terrain
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Crew Chief

Crew Chief

responsible for the production and safety of the layout or pickup crew (usually 4-6 people)
performs all duties of the Seismic Helper
this position is typically filled by seismic helpers
reports to Coordinator

Coordinator

organize layout and pick up crews
track equipment and personnel
organize drop offs and pick ups for crews
ensures the smooth operation of the seismic crew
organizes helicopter operations on heli-portable jobs
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Observer, Party Manager

Troubleshooter

the operator's hands in the field
fixes problems with equipment and layout
this position is typically filled by seismic helpers
may also work with the layout crew
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Coordinator, Operator

Bag Runner

Connects bags of seismic equipment to hooks or a carousel hanging below the helicopter for transport to the layout crew at the front of the line
this is a rather hazardous position that involves frequent work under the helicopter, and often involves running through mountain terrain between equipment bags
eventually, this position will likely be replaced by automated retrieval systems such as Veritas' Bag Runner
this position is typically filled by seismic helpers
may also work with the pickup crew
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Coordinator

Drop Zone Marker - Bag Marker

Marks the spots where the bags of equipment are to be dropped by the helicopter
this position will eventually be replaced by helicopter GPS navigation systems
this position is typically filled by seismic helpers
may also work with the layout crew
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Coordinator

Shooter / Blaster

this position is typically filled by seismic helpers
may also work with the layout crew
uses a radio controlled blasting device to detonate dynamite in shot holes
works with the operator via 2-way radio
responsible for ensuring that the correct shot is being fired
responsible for detonating dynamite and other explosives in a safe and efficient manner
responsible for the safety and actions of the Shooter's Helper
all weather, outdoor job
some heavy lifting
hourly pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
requires blasting ticket
reports to Operator

Operator / Observer

works in the recorder. records data from shots using specialized computer equipment
works with the shooters and troubleshooters via 2-way radio
responsible for the entire crew in the field
responsible for identifying problems with readings from field equipment
responsible for deciding when background noise is low enough to shoot
handles all field data
all weather job, some outdoor work
some heavy lifting
hourly or daily pay
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel
reports to Party Manager

Junior Operator / Observer

works in the recorder and assists the operator as necessary
this is a training position that leads to a senior operator position
reports to Operator / Observer

Party Manager

responsible for the recording crew, all accommodations, hotshot payments, and client relations in the field
reports to head office and to the client's representative in the field
responsible for the conduct and productivity of the crew
responsible for all data from the seismic job
pay varies
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel

Line Clearing Crew Positions

Cat Push

responsible for the supervision of the slashing crew, cat operators, operators of other line clearing equipment, all accommodations, hotshot payments, and client relations in the field
reports to head office as well as to the client's representative on site
responsible for the conduct and productivity of the line clearing crew
pay varies
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
lots of travel

Cat / Mulcher Operator

responsible the safe and efficient operation of the cat, mulcher, or other line clearing equipment
reports to the Cat Push
responsible for determining and clearing safe routes around obstacles
may use GPS for guidance, otherwise follows the line of sight cut by the slashers
pay varies
tons of overtime
accommodation paid
hotshot (meal allowance) in town or provided meals in camp
works closely with the Line Producer

Head Slasher

cutting and clearing trees for seismic lines, pipelines, etc.
require own chainsaw and PPE (personal protective equipment)
require chainsaw ticket
pay by hour or meter
responsible for the safe operation and productivity of the slashing crew
reports to Cat Push, Slasher Push, or Survey Coordinator

Slasher

responsible for safe operation of chainsaw and other equipment
reports to head slasher
pay by hour or meter
require own chainsaw and PPE (personal protective equipment)
require chainsaw ticket
helps head slasher as required
reports to Head Slasher

Seismic Drilling Positions

Drill Push

responsible for all drilling rigs on the job
responsible for all equipment and explosives
responsible for ordering all necessary equipment and explosives
responsible for safety on the job site, including safe handling of explosives
reports to head office, and to the client representative on site
pay varies

Driller (seismic)

drives and runs the drilling rig
drills holes on shot point flags and supervises the loading of dynamite
responsible for the safe operation and productivity of the drilling rig
responsible for all equipment, drill bits, dynamite, blasting caps, and other explosive material
responsible for the safety of the driller's helper
reports to the Drill Push
pay by meter drilled, by hour, or by day

Driller's Assistant

loads dynamite into shot holes
responsible for safe explosive handling
reports to the Driller
pay by meter or foot drilled, by hour, or by day
helps driller as required

Vibe and Alternative Source Positions

Vibe Tech

ensures that all vibrators are properly maintained and operational
responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all vibrators on the job
responsible for the maintenance of all vibrators and related equipment
responsible for the training and supervision of Vibe Operators
reports to head office, Operator, and Party Manager
Vibe Techs and Operators typically travel with the seismic crew
usually requires Heavy Equipment Technician certification
pay varies with experience and certification

Vibe (or other source) Operator

drive and run the vibrators for vibroseis operations
for vibroseis operations, the Vibe Operator replaces the drillers and shooters
responsible for locating the vibrator in the correct positions for shots
responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the vibrator
reports to the Vibe Tech and Operator
works closely with the Operator via 2-way radio
Vibe Operators typically travel with the seismic crew
pay by hour or day

Seismic Survey Crew Positions

Survey Coordinator (Seismic)

responsible for the safe operation, conduct, and productivity of all chaining and survey crews on the job
reports to head office and to the client representative on site
daily pay

Line Producer

senior seismic surveyor
uses existing survey evidence to place the seismic line in the correct position
instructs the slashers where to cut the seismic line
decides where to deflect the seismic lines to avoid major obstacles
works closely with Cat Operators and Head Slasher to construct the line, as well as detours around obstacles for drill rigs and trucks
in heli-portable operations, chooses locations for heli-pads
responsible for the cleanliness and safety of the line
reports to Survey Coordinator

Surveyor - GPS (seismic)

uses GPS equipment to locate the seismic line and place flags at designated intervals
responsible for keeping shot points legal distances from houses, water wells, pipelines, etc.
responsible for survey data
responsible for all GPS equipment
responsible for actions of surveyor's helper, if provided
creates chaining notes and line sketches
daily pay
reports to Survey Coordinator

Surveyor - Conventional (seismic)

responsible for the safe operation of the survey crew
operates the survey instrument
daily pay
measures distances and angles between points on the seismic lines
double checks the work of the chainer
creates line sketches
ties seismic lines to existing survey evidence to verify location
responsible for field survey data
responsible for the surveyor's helper's actions
responsible for keeping explosives legal distances from houses, water wells, pipelines, etc.
reports to the Survey Coordinator

Surveyor's Assistant

daily pay
helps the surveyor as required
uses a rod with prisms to reflect the beam of the survey instrument to measure distances and angles
responsible for giving the surveyor accurate shots on all shot points and land contours
if chaining, responsible for choosing locations for shot points, as well as the accurate numbering and placement of flags
reports to the Surveyor

Chainer

pulls a cable with marks at designated intervals where flags are to be placed
creates chaining notes and sketches of the seismic line
decides where to place shot points to maintain legal distances from houses, water wells, pipelines, etc.
responsible for the safe placement of shot points
responsible for the chainer's helper's actions
reports to the Survey Coordinator
daily pay

Chainer's Assistant

places flags on marks on the cable
measures distances from flags to features in terrain
numbers all flags
responsible for the accurate numbering and placement of flags
reports to Chainer
helps chainer as required
daily pay

Mapper

uses GPS or conventional equipment, as well as specialized computer equipment to create a detailed map of the seismic lines and surrounding areas
responsible for including all relevant information on maps
daily or hourly pay
reports to Survey Coordinator

Pipe and Buried Utility Locator

uses information and maps from oil companies, as well as field evidence to determine the location of buried pipelines, cables, and other utilities
uses specialized equipment to find, track, and mark pipelines and buried utilities of all kinds
responsible for finding and documenting all pipelines and other utilities in the area of the seismic job
responsible for the training and safety of the locator's helper
daily or hourly pay
reports to Survey Coordinator
may require Pipe Locating ticket

Assistant Locator

helps the Pipe Locator as necessary
daily pay
reports to Pipe Locator

Back to Careers Page