Oil Driller

Also known as:

Driller, Oil

Introduction

Oil drillers set up, operate and maintain various pieces of drilling equipment on onshore and offshore oil installations.

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Work Activities

Offshore drilling crews perform a range of different tasks.

Oil drillers work onshore and offshore, on both fixed and mobile oil rigs. They control the drilling equipment and supervise drilling crews. Drillers operate various pieces of equipment, in particular, they control the speed of the drill's rotation. They also monitor and record progress.

Roustabouts are general labourers who help with drilling activities. They keep the drilling area clean and tidy. Roustabouts have general unskilled duties like unloading and storing supplies as they arrive by boat or helicopter.

Roughnecks are more skilled than roustabouts. Working under the driller's supervision, roughnecks are directly involved in the drilling process. They make up the right length of the drill string by putting together lengths of drill pipe. They put the drill string into the hole, pulling it back out to check for damage and worn drill bits.

If a drill bit is worn, roughnecks take apart the pipe lengths and put in a new drill bit. They have general responsibility for maintaining the drill, keeping everything in good working order.

Derrickmen and women work 20 to 25 metres above the floor of the rig on the 'derrick', the high tower. They handle sections of the drill pipe under the driller's supervision.

Toolpusher is the name for the person who is in charge of the drilling operation and often in overall charge of the rig. They make sure all the right materials and equipment are available and in good working order. They manage the crews and their shifts or rotas, and are responsible for health and safety on the rig.

Offshore oil drillers normally work a shift pattern of 12 hours on duty and 12 hours off for a two or three week period. This is followed by a two or three week period of leave on the mainland. Occasionally, if bad weather prevents helicopters flying between the mainland and the rig, workers may have to stay longer on the rig.

You usually have to wear protective clothing, such as boots and a helmet.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

Oil drillers need:
• good teamwork skills; you will be living and working with a small team in a fairly cramped space
• the ability to tolerate harsh weather and not mind being away from home for long periods
• to be able to work at heights if needed and fly to and from the oil rig or platform
• to be prepared to learn and follow safety procedures
• to be physically fit.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Oil drillers earn in the range of £40,000 - £50,000 a year. Food and accommodation is included in the pay package for those working offshore.

Oil drillers work 12-hour shifts. They normally spend two weeks off-shore at work and two weeks resting on-shore.

Employers are drilling contractors employed by oil companies. Staff turnover in this industry can be fairly high. Opportunities are available world-wide for those with relevant training and experience.

The UK oil and gas industry is located mainly off the east coast of Scotland and England. There are also fields west of Shetland and in the Irish Sea.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant experience includes mechanical or technical work in engineering.

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