Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Motorman

Motorman Nature of Work

A motorman is the member of the oilrig crew responsible for maintenance of the engines. While all members of the oil rig crew help with major repairs, the motorman does routine preventive maintenance, minor repairs, drive trucks and operate specialized hydraulic pumping systems to place cement in wells or to treat wells with chemicals, sand mixtures or gases to stimulate production.

Motormen are employed by oil drilling and oil well service contractors and by petroleum producing companies.

Motorman Work Conditions

The motorman usually works long hard days on extended roster systems and either outdoors in all weather conditions or underground. The work is generally hard and physically demanding. Progression to oil and gas well driller or service rig operator is possible with experience.

Motorman Personal Requirements

• 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)
• Clean police record
• 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

Motorman Employment Requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required
• Training of up to three months with an experienced operator is required for oil and gas well services operators
• One year of experience as a floorhand, assistant or laborer is usually required
• Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), cryogenic safety or in other safety concerns may be required

Motorman Duties and Tasks

Motorman/woman may perform some or all of the following tasks:

• Align and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem from a platform on the rig derrick during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill bit
• Assemble pumping equipment and attach pumps and hoses to wellhead
• Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs
• Drive well services truck to well site
• May mix chemicals and cements
• Operate and maintain drilling mud systems and pumps during drilling, and mix mud chemicals and additives
• Operate and maintain drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions and other mechanical equipment
• Operate hydraulic pumping systems to pump chemicals, gases, sand, cement or other material into well
• Read gauges to monitor pressure, density, rate and concentration and adjust pumping procedure as required
• Record mudflows and volumes and take samples
• Supervise floorhands and laborers
• Perform other tasks as needed

Motorman Example Titles

• Acid Truck Driver
• Blender Operator
• Cementer
• Chemical Services Operator
• Coiled Tubing Operator
• Floorman/Woman
• Formation Fracturing Operator
• Leasehand
• Nitrogen Operator
• Pumper Operator
• Pumpman/Woman
• Service Rig Helper
• Shakerhand

Motorman Related Occupations

• Company Men
• Derrickmen
• Drillers
• Electricians
• Helpers
• Laborers
• Mechanics
• Miners
• Operators
• Petroleum Engineers
• Roughnecks
• Servicers
• Supervisors
• Testers
• Toolpushers

Oil and Gas Related Industries

• Engineering
• Environmental
• Mining