Driller

Drillers are crew members on offshore oil or gas rigs. They set up, operate and maintain the equipment for drilling wells in the search for oil and gas. They supervise the other members of the drilling team: roustabouts, roughnecks and the derrickman.

The Work

You could be:

• controlling operations on the drill floor


• working with the derrickman to put up the hoisting equipment (the derrick)


• assembling drilling tools and connecting sections of the drill pipe


• operating the machinery that raises and lowers the drill string and bit


• maintaining the speed of rotation of the drill string, the weight on the bit and the mud (the lubricant used for the drill bit) circulation rate


• operating the valves that control the flow of oil, gas or water


• keeping records of the drilling and its progress


• making sure production targets are met


• observing health and safety regulations.

Conditions

• You would work on an oil or gas rig outdoors in conditions that can be very cold, wet, windy, noisy and dangerous.


• There are risks of injury from accidents, especially when working at heights.


• You would normally work offshore for 2 or 3 weeks, followed by a 2 or 3 weeks’ rest period on shore. This may affect your family life.
• Mobile phones are not allowed (there is often no signal) but there are pay phones and usually broadband Internet access.
• You would usually share a cabin with a colleague.


• When offshore, you would normally work a 12 hour shift, including rest and meal breaks, with 12 hours off duty.


• Accommodation and meals are provided free. There are usually good recreational facilities.


• Alcohol is banned on rigs.


• You would wear protective and waterproof clothing. All necessary safety equipment, such as thermal suits gloves, boots and a helmet, is provided.


• You have to fly by helicopter (usually a large 18-seater) to and from the rig or platform, in Scotland from Aberdeen.

Getting In

• You do not normally need formal qualifications for entry, but it can be useful to have some Standard grades.


• You must be at least 18 years of age.


• To work offshore, you must have an offshore survival certificate. Some people complete the course at their own expense before looking for work. In other cases, some companies sponsor new employees through the course.


• Normally, you need previous experience of working offshore. Entrants usually begin as roustabouts and work up through roughneck and derrickman or woman to the job of driller.


• You should be fit, as this job involves climbing, lifting and using heavy equipment. You may also need normal colour vision.


• You have to pass a medical examination which may include testing for substance abuse.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• good practical hand skills


• stamina


• agility and a good head for heights


• a strong sense of responsibility
• an awareness of health and safety issues at all times.

• work outdoors in all weathers


• live on a rig or platform for long periods of time


• live and work as a member of a team
• observe regulations and follow instructions very carefully.

Training

• Your training may start with a course leading to the offshore survival certificate, if you do not already hold this certificate.


• Otherwise, you may begin with induction training ashore, covering information on the industry and the company, health and safety and skills training.


• Further on-the-job training takes place offshore on the oil rig or platform.


• You may attend further short courses from time to time.
• You may be able to gain Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Offshore Drilling Operations at Levels 2 and 3.

Getting On

• After sufficient experience, you may move on to work as toolpusher or oil rig manager.
• You may then be able to progress to other management jobs.


• Many of the large companies in the oil and gas industry operate throughout the world, so you may be able to work overseas.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

• Although some workers spend only a short time on the rigs, many others spend most of their careers - often 20 years or more - offshore.


• Most of the major oil and gas reserves in the North Sea have been worked, but new technology is allowing smaller and more marginal fields to be exploited.


• It is anticipated that there will be work in the North Sea well into the foreseeable future - 30 years plus.
• There are also good opportunities for skilled and experienced workers in other parts of the world.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.