Toolpusher or Oil Rig Manager

Toolpushers or oil rig managers manage a team of workers on an oil rig or platform. They are second-in-command of the drilling crew, under the drilling superintendent, and are responsible for running drilling operations. Much of their work is administrative.

The Work

You could be:

• managing the day-to-day drilling operations, monitoring the work in progress and dealing with any problems that arise


• ensuring that all the necessary equipment, materials and resources are available


• selecting, hiring and managing workers on board the rig and ensuring they are properly trained


• planning the crew’s shifts and rotas


• ensuring that health and safety regulations are met, including the wearing of protective clothing and the correct use of safety equipment


• coping with any emergencies


• liaising with representatives from the oil companies who visit and inspect the site.

Conditions

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


• There are risks of injury from accidents, especially if 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 work long shifts (normally 12 hours). You would sometimes be on call in case of emergencies.
• Accommodation and meals are provided free. There are usually good recreational facilities.
• Alcohol is banned on rigs.


• When outdoors, 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

• The most common route into this job is by starting on an oil rig as a roustabout and gaining experience. You could be promoted through the jobs of roughneck, derrickman or woman and driller to the job of toolpusher or oil rig manager. With hard work you could do this in little more than 5 years.
• You do not normally need formal qualifications to do this, but it is useful to have some Standard grades to start with. You might gain Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) while you are working on the rig.


• Alternatively, you might be able to enter the job directly with a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in a relevant engineering subject. For entry to an HNC or HND you normally need 1-2 Highers; for entry to a degree, 3-4 Highers. Maths and at least one science or technological subject is usually needed at Standard grade or Higher.


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


• You should be fit, as this job can involve 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, mathematical and technical skills


• stamina, agility and a good head for heights


• good communication skills


• an awareness of health and safety issues at all times


• quick reactions to cope with emergencies.

• work outdoors in all weathers


• live on a rig or platform for periods of time
• live and work as a member of a team
• solve problems
• take responsibility


• manage and supervise staff at all levels.

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 short specialist courses from time to time.
• If you do not already have an SVQ in Offshore Drilling Operations at Level 3 you may be able to gain that. You may also take SVQs in management, possibly up to Level 4.

Getting On

• With sufficient experience you may gain promotion to a more senior management post in the oil and gas industry, such as production supervisor.
• You might move into a management post in an onshore industrial or manufacturing company.


• 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 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.