What Do Wellhead Pumpers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Wellhead Pumpers operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field. They also monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks.

Other tasks include:

• Gauge oil and gas production.
• Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
• Monitor control panels during pumping operations to ensure that materials are being pumped at the correct pressure, density, rate, and concentration.
• Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
• Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
• Change water filters.

We asked Wellhead Pumpers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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61% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% 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, Wellhead Pumpers monitor pumps and flow lines for gas and fluid leaks. They gauge oil and gas production.

A typical day for a Wellhead Pumper will also include:

• Prepare trucks and equipment necessary for the type of pumping service required.
• Operate engines and pumps to shut off wells according to production schedules, and to switch flow of oil into storage tanks.
• Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.
• Open valves to return compressed gas to bottoms of specified wells to repressurize them and force oil to surface.
• Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.

We asked some Wellhead Pumpers 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?	66% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	20% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	69% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Wellhead Pumpers also change water filters. They may also repair gas and oil meters and gauges.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Wellhead Pumpers Unload and assemble pipes and pumping equipment, using hand tools. They might also Mix acids, chemicals, or dry cement as required for a specific job.

In addition, they Drive trucks to transport high-pressure pumping equipment, and chemicals, fluids, or gases to be pumped into wells.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Start compressor engines and divert oil from storage tanks into compressor units and auxiliary equipment to recover natural gas from oil.

To some Wellhead Pumpers, it is also their responsibility to Perform routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Wellhead Pumper, you can expect to work 40 hour work 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

http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2013/spring/art02.pdf

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes537073.htm