Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Roughneck

Roughneck Nature of Work

A roughneck is a low-ranking member of the drilling crew.

The roughneck carry out a variety of general laboring duties and operate equipment to assist in the drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells. Roughnecks are employed by drilling and well servicing contractors and by petroleum producing companies.

Roughneck Work Conditions

The roughneck usually work long hours in all weather conditions on extended roster systems, usually as member of a crew. The roughneck usually performs semiskilled and unskilled manual labor that requires continual hard work in difficult conditions for many hours.

Roughneck 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)
• 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

Roughneck Employment Requirements

• After roughnecks understand how the rig operates and demonstrates their work ethic, they may be promoted to other positions in the crew
• Completion of secondary school may be required
• Completion of introductory college or Petroleum Industry Training Service (PITS) courses may be required
• Certificates in hydrogen sulphide awareness, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) or transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) may be required
• On-the-job training

Roughneck Duties and Tasks

Roughnecks perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs and service equipment
• Clean up rig area
• Handle, sort and move drill tools, pipe, cement and other materials
• Maintain drilling equipment on the drill floor
• Manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem at the rig floor during drilling and during the removal and replacement of strings of pipe or drill stem and drill bit
• May drive truck to transport materials and well service equipment

Roughneck Example Titles

• Floorman/Woman
• Laborer
• Leasehand
• Service Rig Helper
• Shakerhand
• Wireline Helper

Roughneck Related Occupations

• Company Men
• Electricians
• Miners
• Motormen
• Derrickmen
• Helpers
• Laborers
• Testers
• Operators
• Roustabouts
• Drillers
• Toolpushers

Oil and Gas Related Industries

• Engineering
• Environmental
• Mining

Bleacher Report

Roughnecks fade late, suffer another defeat Calgary Herald For the second week in a row, the Calgary Roughnecks let an opposing National Lacrosse League team off the ropes and proceeded to lose in overtime. Making it even more painful, perhaps, is that it was not only the reigning league champion Toronto Rock, ... Calgary Roughnecks Lose Second Straight Overtime GameBleacher Report all 28 news articles »

Former Tulsa Roughnecks Charlie Mitchell, Victor Moreland Honored Friday News On 6 The 1978 Tulsa Roughnecks. Charlie Mitchell is number 6; Victor Moreland is pictured standing directly behind him. Photo courtesy http://www.nasljerseys.com/. The Oklahoma soccer community will honor two legends in Tulsa Friday, January 27, 2012. and more »

Roughnecks beat Stealth in NLL season opener HeraldNet The Roughnecks beat the Stealth 13-10. Cliff Smith, 27, of the Washington Stealth, looks to pass the ball after getting away from Peter McFetridge, 80, of the Calgary Roughnecks, during the first quarter of Saturday night's game at Comcast Arena in ... and more »