Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Drillers

Drillers Nature of Work

Oil and gas well driller set up or operate a variety of drills to remove petroleum products from the earth. The drilles find and remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

Oil and gas well drillers control the operation and direct the activities of the rig crew under supervision of the rig manager . The driller is responsible for the efficient operation of the rigsite as well as the safety of the crew and typically has many years of rigsite experience.

Most drillers have worked their way up from other rigsite jobs. The driller must know how to perform each of the jobs on the rig. The driller also operates the drawworks brake using a long-handled lever. Hence, the driller is sometimes referred to as the person who is "on the brake."

Drillers are employed by drilling and well service contractors, petroleum producing companies and well logging or testing companies.

Drillers Work Conditions

Drillers and drillers' assistants usually work long hours on extended roster systems and either outdoors in all weather conditions or underground, usually as members of teams or crews. The work is generally hard and physically demanding

Drillers Personal Requirements

• able to record details accurately
• able to work as part of a team
• aptitude for mechanics and able to handle machinery
• be 18 years old (as it is a legal requirement on most mine and quarry sites)
• enjoy practical and manual activities
• good organization skills
• have a drug and alcohol clearance
• pass a medical examination
• physically fit
• willing to work in remote areas under difficult conditions

Drillers Employment Requirements

• A college diploma in drilling may be required
• Certificates in first-aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, well control, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) and a special oil well operator certificate are required.
• Completion of secondary school is usually required
• Offshore work requires several years of experience in an equivalent position on land
• Three to six months of formal on-the-job training, college or Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS) courses and four or more years of work experience in subordinate rig crew positions

Drillers Duties and Tasks

Drillers may perform the following tasks:

• Assist with well development and pumping tests
• Direct rig crew in setting up rigs and drilling, completing or servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells
• Maintain records of drilling and servicing operations
• Move drilling rigs and equipment from site to site, set up in the new site and connect power cables or hoses for water and air supply
• Obtain drilling core samples
• Operate controls of drill or service rig drilling and hoisting machinery including equipment such as pumps for air, water and mud, and equipment and tools used to correct problems in drilled holes caused by mechanical breakdowns or by harmful natural conditions
• Train or arrange for training of crew

Driller Example Titles

• Assistant Driller
• Directional Drilling Operator
• Downhole Tool Operator
• Drill Stem Tester
• electric Line Operator
• Logging and Perforating Operator
• Service Rig Operator
• Slickline Operator
• Well Testing Operator
• Wireline Operator

Driller Related Occupations

• Company Men
• Electricians
• Derrickmen
• Miners
• Mining Engineers
• Motormen
• Petroleum Engineers
• Operators
• Roughnecks
• Roustabouts
• Supervisors
• Toolpushers
• Water Well Drillers

Oil and Gas Related Industries

• Engineering
• Environmental
• Mining