Roughneck

Roughnecks are crew members on offshore oil or gas rigs. They do manual and semi-skilled work, mostly on the drilling operation.

The Work

You could be:

• adding fresh lengths of drill pipe as the drill bites deeper into the rock


• inserting and extracting the whole drill


• replacing drill bits when they are worn


• maintaining drilling equipment and carrying out some of the duties of a roustabout


• cleaning and maintaining the equipment used to circulate mud (the lubricants used for the drill bit) down the drill pipe


• using hoisting gear, ropes and air winches.

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 onshore. This will mean spending long periods away from your home and family.
• 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. Many people do 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 to roughneck.


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


• travel by helicopter to and from the rig or platform
• 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 then 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 subjects such as Offshore Deck Operations at Level 2 and Offshore Drilling Operations at Level 1.

Getting On

• After sufficient experience, you may be able to move on to work as a derrickman or woman. This usually takes 1-2 years.
• From there, further promotion is possible to derrickman and driller, and perhaps eventually to toolpusher or oil rig manager.


• 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 may 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 more than 20 years - 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.