Oil and Gas Drilling Operator
Oil and gas drilling operators are specialized professionals responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment used to extract oil and natural gas from underground deposits. Working in the heavy equipment industry, these operators—often referred to as drillers—perform a range of duties including overseeing drilling operations, conducting maintenance checks, and managing a team of workers. Their job requires vigilance in monitoring drill performance through various gauges and responding to any mechanical issues that arise during the drilling process.
The work environment for drilling operators can be physically demanding and often involves outdoor conditions that may include extreme weather. Operators typically work full-time, including nights, weekends, and holidays, frequently following a schedule of extended shifts with equal days off. Despite the potential for a rewarding salary, the occupation comes with inherent risks, including higher rates of physical injury due to the nature of the work and the equipment involved.
While formal education requirements are minimal, practical experience and training are crucial. Many operators start with a high school diploma, benefit from vocational training in heavy machinery, and receive extensive on-the-job training under experienced supervisors. This career path can be appealing to individuals who enjoy hands-on work in challenging environments and do not necessarily seek advanced degrees.
Oil and Gas Drilling Operator
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing
Interests: Engineering and construction, welding, machine shop skills, supervising work with heavy machinery, outdoor working conditions
Earnings (Yearly Median): $67,320 annual $32.36 hourly
Employment & Outlook: 0% (Little or no change)
Overview
Sphere of Work. Oil and gas drilling operators are responsible for maintaining and operating equipment used to excavate underground oil and natural gas deposits. Oil and gas drilling can be considered part of the heavy equipment industry, and the skills and training needed to operate drilling machines are similar to those used to operate heavy construction equipment.
Drilling operators, or drillers, perform a variety of tasks related to the operation of the drills. An operator may oversee and complete maintenance and routine checks to ensure that the system is working properly. They may also be responsible for keeping progress records and supervising peripheral staff members who help with the drilling operation. Primarily, a drilling operator is responsible for operating a drill and monitoring gauges that display how well the drill is functioning.
Work Environment. Oil and gas drilling operators tend to work full-time, and overtime hours are not uncommon. Drilling operations continue twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and drillers are needed for night, weekend, and holiday hours. Most oil and gas workers work for seven to fourteen days and then have an equal number of days off. Drilling operators work in a variety of environments, as drilling takes place in various locations on land and can also be conducted offshore. Oil workers often must contend with a variety of climatic and environmental hazards, including extreme heat, sunlight, rain, storms, and inclement ocean weather. Offshore drilling operations often need to be postponed when weather conditions become too hazardous.
Drillers are typically regarded as crew managers and supervise teams of general workers, known as roustabouts and other peripheral personnel during operations. They report to managers, who oversee multiple drilling crews and are responsible for maintaining the overall productivity of the functions.
Work on oil and gas rigs is physically demanding, and workers suffer a higher rate of physical injury than those in many other occupations. Much of the equipment used for oil and natural gas exploration can be hazardous to operate, and fatal injuries have occurred frequently in oil- and gas-harvesting environments. In addition, oil- and gas-rig machinery produces constant loud noises that can damage hearing, so employees must exercise proper precautions by using noise-dampening safety equipment.
Occupation Interest. Oil and gas drilling may appeal to somebody seeking profitable work that does not require an advanced degree. The industry also appeals to individuals who favor outdoor work environments and are interested in the operation of heavy machinery. Those interested in the field should be aware that oil and gas drilling operations require hard labor and pose a significant physical risk in terms of injury and fatigue.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. An oil or gas driller may begin a typical day by meeting with members of the previous drilling crew to discuss their progress and any difficulties encountered during the shift. Oil and gas drilling is accomplished with the use of large hydraulic, electric, or gas-powered drills that use various bits or replaceable tips to drill through rock, earth, and other obstacles. Drill machinery may break or become damaged during this process, and a drilling operator may begin their shift by determining whether the current equipment is working correctly and replacing parts if necessary. Oil and gas drilling operators must also keep records of their daily activities, which may include logs of the cleaning and maintenance work performed by various subordinate employees. In addition, when a driller begins a shift, they may need to consult with one or more managers to review the day’s progress and establish the guidelines for the new shift.
During a shift, the drilling crew must continually extend the drill and progress deeper into the sediment. This requires adding new sections, called joints, to the drill pipes, a process that involves contributions from many employees. As drilling progresses, rock and mud excavated from the hole need to be “floated” to the top and removed. Roustabouts do much of this work to ensure that the drilling remains on schedule.
During drilling, the drilling operator maintains a close watch on gauges that display variables affecting the drill, such as pressure. The drilling operator is responsible for detecting problems and deciding whether to stop drilling to address them. If a drill head breaks or cannot turn effectively, it may be necessary to retract part of the drill to address the problem. These types of issues can take hours to resolve, depending on the severity of the problem, and it is the drilling operator’s responsibility to oversee the resolution of any mechanical issues that affect the drill during their shift.
Tool Pushers (930.130-010). Tool pushers supervise and coordinate the activities of workers who drill oil and gas wells at well sites.
Clean-Out Drillers (930.363-010). Clean-out drillers operate truck-mounted hoists equipped with derricks to clean out and restore old and damaged oil or gas wells.
Rotary Derrick Operators (930.383-022). Rotary derrick operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill holes.
Rotary Drillers (930.382-026). Rotary drillers operate gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works to drill oil or gas wells.
Well Pullers (930.382-030). Well pullers control powerhoisting equipment to pull casing, tubing, and pumping rods from oil and gas wells for repair and to lower repaired equipment, testing devices, and servicing tools into the well.
Mud-Plant Operators (930.685-010). Mud-plant operators tend a machine that mixes mud for use in drilling oil and gas wells.
Oil-Well Service Operators (939.462-010). Oil-well service operators control pumping and blending equipment to acidize, cement, or fracture gas or oil wells and permeable rock formations.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of a drilling operator varies according to the location of the drilling operation. Land-based drilling operations take place in a variety of environments, ranging from deserts to snow-and-ice-covered areas. Many drilling operations take place on offshore drilling rigs, which present a unique set of obstacles, including contending with oceanic waves and weather patterns that can interfere with drilling operations.
A drilling rig is a complex operation that contains equipment used to evaluate and find oil or gas deposits, drill into various types of substrate, and harvest and collect oil or gas once a deposit has been reached. Some drilling rigs are small, portable workstations used to drill for deposits that are located fairly close to the surface. In other cases, large drilling platforms are needed to drill through thousands of feet of sediment. The type of drilling rig used depends on the nature of the sediment and the location of the oil or gas deposit being harvested.
Human Environment. Drilling rig operators are considered supervisory personnel and must manage a variety of subordinate workers during their shifts. This aspect of the job requires good communication skills and the ability to think critically while working. In addition, drilling operators answer to a team leader who is directly responsible for all operations involved in a specific drilling project. In general, employees of a rig operation function as a team to ensure safety and efficient operation. Drilling operators with more experience may be placed in charge of a larger number of subordinate employees and required to take on more of a leadership role in their company.
Technological Environment. Drilling rigs may use hydraulic, electrical, gas, or pneumatic power, and the types of pipes and drills used vary. A drilling operator may be trained specifically to handle one type of drilling apparatus, but those with experience in multiple types of drilling machines may have an advantage in finding employment. In addition, companies often develop new technology to enhance oil and gas exploration and harvesting operations, and drilling operators must typically remain aware of new technological advancements in their field.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school education is not necessarily required to obtain work on an oil rig, but many employers prefer candidates to have completed high school or an equivalent program. High school students can prepare for a career in the oil industry by taking advantage of machine shop classes, which teach the use of basic tools. Not all high schools offer shop programs, so students may need to seek this instruction through part-time work, volunteer or internship programs, or independent study.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary education is generally not required, but aspiring oil and gas drilling operators may benefit from attending vocational training programs that teach basic skills such as welding and heavy equipment operations. Drillers seeking to advance to higher-level positions may similarly benefit from further education.
Professional Certification or Licensure. There are no required certifications or licenses for oil and gas drilling operators. However, employers generally require significant on-the-job training. Once hired by a drilling team, an employee must typically work under a supervisor for a period of time ranging from several weeks to several months before being allowed to handle drill operations independently. During this period, the employee will also be trained in managing subordinate personnel to ensure the completion of daily tasks.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail: Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 24 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 47-5012 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes475012.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.