Rotary Drill Operators, Oil & Gas

realistic interests pressure tools pump solve problems push levers safety drill pipe train crew extraction personnel

Daylight Driller, Drill Operator, Driller, Tool Pusher

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Business

  • management
  • human resources (HR)

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Initiative
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Data base user interface and query software

  • Pason WellView Field Solution
  • Structure query language SQL

Industrial control software

  • CAPSHER Technology SureTec
  • Drillingsoftware DrillPro

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
no high school diploma/GED or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
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Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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