What Do Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill hole. They also inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.
• Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
• Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
• Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
• Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
• Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.

We asked Oil and Gas Derrick Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Oil and Gas Derrick Operators prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives. They inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.

A typical day for an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator will also include:

• Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
• Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
• Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
• Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
• Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.

We asked some Oil and Gas Derrick Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	50% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	69% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	80% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	68% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Oil and Gas Derrick Operators also string cables through pulleys and blocks. They may also set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Oil and Gas Derrick Operators Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered. They might also Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.

In addition, they Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.

To some Oil and Gas Derrick Operators, it is also their responsibility to Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as an Oil and Gas Derrick Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

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