Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
Less than a high school diploma
Construction & Extraction
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Also called: Pulling Unit Operator, Rig Operator, Service Operator, Service Rig Operator
- Typical education
- High school diploma
- 63% of workers surveyed
- Preparation needed
- Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Programs in this directory
- 6
- that lead to this career
What service unit operators, oil and gas do
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Typical tasks
- 1Maintain and perform safety inspections on equipment and tools.
- 2Operate controls that raise derricks or level rigs.
- 3Listen to engines, rotary chains, or other equipment to detect faulty operations or unusual well conditions.
- 4Prepare reports of services rendered, tools used, or time required, for billing purposes.
- 5Install pressure-control devices onto wellheads.
- 6Confer with others to gather information regarding pipe or tool sizes or borehole conditions in wells.
- 7Operate pumps that circulate water, oil, or other fluids through wells to remove sand or other materials obstructing the free flow of oil.
- 8Drive truck-mounted units to well sites.
- 9Interpret instrument readings to ascertain the depth of obstruction.
- 10Thread cables through derrick pulleys, using hand tools.
Key skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Troubleshooting3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Engineering and Technology3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.2/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Technology used
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
How to become one
- Education
- The most common level among workers surveyed is a high school diploma (63%). Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Where to study
Subjects that prepare for this career:
| Program | Institution | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | University of Alaska Anchorage United States |
Certificate |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | University of Alaska Fairbanks United States |
Certificate |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | Eastern Arizona College United States |
Associate Degree |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | Aims Community College United States |
Certificate |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | Aims Community College United States |
Associate Degree |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | Pueblo Community College United States |
Certificate |
Related careers
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools.
Less than a high school diploma
Wellhead Pumpers
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
High school diploma
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
Operate or control petroleum refining or processing units.
High school diploma
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction.
High school diploma
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. We have modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Programs are linked with the CIP–SOC crosswalk from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES). Education levels and preparation describe the United States and may differ in other countries.