Careers in the Oil and Gas Industry

Rig Jobs

Drilling Crew Positions

A drilling rig bores a hole in the ground or the ocean floor to a predetermined depth for optimum production.
Once the hole is complete, the drill crew runs casing into the well bore and pours concrete around the casing.

Cleaner / Painter

cleaner/painters are typically found on marine rigs
very physical job
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
keeps the rig clean and tidy
cleans and repaints areas where paint is worn or chipped to prevent rust
performs other unskilled labor as necessary
helps other workers as necessary

Lease Hand / Roustabout

entry level labor position
very physical job
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
uses various vehicle to move equipment, pipe, and waste materials
may drive extensively to pick up and transport various supplies and materials needed by the rig
loads / unloads trucks
digs ditches, paints, removes garbage
keeps the lease site tidy and hazard free
performs all other unskilled labor as necessary
helps other workers as necessary
reports to Driller

Floor Hand / Roughneck

may start as a Floor Hand or be promoted from Lease Hand
very physical job
connect/disconnect pipe using tongs
collect core and cutting samples
general housekeeping on the rig floor
painting where required
assists the Motor Hand and other workers where necessary
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
reports to Motorhand

Motor Hand

usually promoted from Floor Hand
responsible for maintenance and operation of the rig's motors
responsible for general equipment maintenance around the rig
runs the draw-works and rotary table
performs testing, lubrication, and maintenance of moving parts
must be mechanically inclined
trains new crew members
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
assists the Driller and Derrick Hand as necessary
lots of travel
reports to Driller

Derrick Hand

usually promoted from Motor Hand
works in the rig's derrick about 1/5 of the time
guides the drill pipe in and out of the elevators
steadies the pipe from the top while it's connected/disconnected at the bottom
responsible for maintaining fluid pumps and circulation system
monitors and maintains the drilling fluid
trains new crew members
assists the Driller as necessary
all weather, outdoor job
heavy lifting
hourly pay
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
reports to Driller

Driller

may be promoted from Derrick Hand
runs the drilling rig
moves, positions, and sets up the rig at the desired location, and dismantles the rig once drilling is complete
operates pumps and other secondary equipment
plans and organizes duties for other workers
conducts safety meetings and safety drills
ensures that workers properly understand safety procedures
ensures that workers properly use personal protective equipment
responsible for the rig and personnel
keeps records of the rig's production and other rig operations
all weather job
pay varies
lots of overtime
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
reports to Rig Manager

Rig Manager - Tool Pusher

responsible for every aspect of the rig and it's operations
responsible for the safety of all workers
ensures that rig operations comply with environmental and other government regulations
responsible for the rig's production and costs
responsible for planning rig moves around road bans and other obstacles
plans and organizes final site preparation before the rig is assembled and site clean up after the rig is dismantled
organizes and supervises the setup and dismantling of the rig
pay varies
accommodation and meals paid
lots of travel
reports to head office and the client's representative on site

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