Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

What the job really is

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-5012
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
• Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
• Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
• Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
• Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
• Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
• Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
• Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.
• Locate and recover lost or broken bits, casings, and drill pipes from wells, using special tools.
• Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
• Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
• Monitor progress of drilling operations, and select and change drill bits according to the nature of strata, using hand tools.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, Python, SAP software, Salesforce software, Accumulator systems, Adapter spools, Air hoists, CAPSHER Technology SureTec, Cement pumping equipment, Chain driven draw works

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
• Helpers--Extraction Workers
• Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
• Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
• Wellhead Pumpers
• Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
• Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Continuous Mining Machine Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.