Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers use a variety of machinery and equipment to drill and develop crude oil and natural gas wells and to service and maintain existing wells.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers may:

Dig holes, set forms, mix and pour concrete for foundations for steel or wooden derricks

Bolt together pump and engine parts and connect tanks and flow lines

Set and bolt the crown block to posts at the top of the derrick

Connect drill pipe sections, using power wrenches and hand tools

Operate gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works (supporting derrick and mechanical equipment used to raise, lower, and power rotary drills) for drilling oil or gas wells

Select and change drill bits according to the type of material through which drilling is being done

Examine slush pump operation to ensure consistency and circulation of drilling mud in the well

Line the drilled hole with pipe to prepare new well

Fish for, and recover lost or broken drill bits or casings and drill pipes from boreholes of wells, using special tools

Lower and explode charges in the drilled hole to start the flow of oil from the well

Run a packer (plug device) into the well to control the flow of oil or gas

Lubricate, adjust, or repair mechanical equipment or rig

Dismantle drilling rigs and equipment when drilling is completed or results in a "dry hole" (nonproductive well), and move them to another site

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers may specialize in these areas:

930.130-010 DRILLING SUPERINTENDENTS, (tool pushers), direct workers and coordinate oil or gas drilling activities, at one or more well sites.

930.382-026 ROTARY DRILLERS operate gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works to drill oil or gas wells.

930.382-022 ROTARY DERRICK OPERATORS rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate drilling mud through boreholes.

914.382-010 OIL PUMPERS operate pumps and auxiliary equipment to restore and control the flow of oil from wells.

939.462-010 OIL-WELL-SERVICE OPERATORS control pumping and blending equipment to acidize, cement, or fracture gas or oil wells and to fracture rock.

930.363-010 CLEAN-OUT DRILLERS operate a truck-mounted hoist equipped with a derrick to clean out and restore old or damaged oil or gas wells.

930.382-030 WELL PULLERS control power hoisting equipment to raise casing, tubing, and pumping rods from oil and gas wells for repair, and to lower repaired equipment, testing devices, and servicing tools into wells.

869.684-046 ROUSTABOUTS assemble and repair oil field machinery and equipment.

930.685-010 MUD-PLANT OPERATORS tend machines that mix mud for use in drilling oil and gas wells.

939.687-018 LABORERS may cut down trees and clear roadways leading to an oil or gas drilling site.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Drilling engineers are in charge of overall drilling operations. Tool pushers, oil well services field supervisors, and Rotary Drillers direct the day-to-day activities of drilling crews.

Workers explore and drill outdoors in all weather and temperatures. Workers must stoop, lift, climb, and handle oily, dirty, and often heavy equipment. Workers must follow safety rules to avoid injuries from moving equipment, falls from catwalks, and rig explosions.

Drilling is a round-the-clock operation. Oil and Gas Drilling Workers may work six 8-hour days and then get two days. The average workweek for these Workers in late 19985 was 42.2 hours.

Drilling crews may be away from home for weeks or months. In the exploration and development of wells, drilling crews move from place to place, and in some places, their living arrangements may be uncomfortable.

Some Workers receive hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, and safety shoes from the drilling contractors.

Some Oil and Gas Workers, as a condition of employment, must become members of unions where they work. Members of unions must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which require mechanical skills

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Direct, control, and plan the activities of others, if a tool pusher

• Repeat tasks of short duration in a required routine procedure

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a drill moves into the earth at a rate of one foot per 15 minutes, how long will it take to drill a hole 50 foot deep?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The crust, the solid outer portion of Earth's lithosphere, is composed primarily of rocks.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a short report to your foreman, explaining any problems that might have occurred during the day.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the most efficient way to drill through the earth's crust in hopes of striking oil.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0100 AGRISCIENCE , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

129 PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Petroleum Technology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment as assistants to petroleum engineers or petroleum geologists.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

               Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Because the work is of a hazardous nature, individuals under 18 years of age are prohibited by law from performing the work. In high school, courses in machine shop, engine operation and repair, and auto mechanics might be useful. Postsecondary programs in petroleum technology may offer some opportunities for experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Oil and Gas Drilling Production Worker employer

internships

volunteer work with a Oil and Gas Drilling Production Worker employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is direct application to oil or gas well drilling contractors, oil or gas field service contractors, and major oil or natural gas companies. Assistance in finding a job may be obtained from school placement offices and Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers depend on experience, work performed, geographic location, and size and type of employer.

Nationally, the earnings (early 1999) of nonsupervisory Production Workers, by industry, were:

Offshore drilling Workers earn more than on shore drilling Workers earn. There are no offshore drilling operations in Michigan.

Weekly earnings of Production Workers in the oil and gas extraction industry in Michigan averaged about $716 in 1998.

Depending on the employer, most Oil and Gas Drilling Workers receive health and accident insurance, sick pay, retirement plans, and paid vacations. Some employers also have profit-sharing plans. Benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Inexperienced Workers in the oil and gas extraction industry usually

receive on-the-job training in lower-level, entry positions. From Laborer or Roustabout, a Worker may progress to rotary helper or roughnecker, to Rotary Derrick Operator, to Rotary Driller, and some may go on to become a tool pusher or Drilling Superintendent. Some employers rely on demonstrated merit and the recommendations of supervisory personnel regarding promotions. Others promote Workers by the seniority method.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, the average number of Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers employed was about 228,500 in early 1998. Employment was higher in the oil and gas field service. U.S. drilling is concentrated in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and offshore in Texas, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and along the Atlantic coast. There is significant drilling in Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Montana, Colorado, and Utah. Turnover in offshore drilling is high. The industry distribution for Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers looked like this:

Rising oil prices and the need to find new sources of oil and gas has resulted in some modest growth in oil and gas exploration and production activities.

There are approximately 2,800 persons engaged in oil and gas production in Michigan. Independent drilling contractors and well-servicing companies perform most of the drilling and completion activity under contract to oil and gas companies. Michigan drilling permits issued indicated that there were 7 drilling contractors operating in the state in 1998. There were also 256 oil and gas producers active in Michigan.

The employment of Oil and Gas Drilling Production Workers is expected to decline through the year 2005. Most annual openings will be due to the need to replace workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force.

Michigan has become increasingly active in gas exploration and production. There were about 575 oil and gas wells drilled in Michigan in 1998. The natural gas industry is currently increasing its exploration and drilling activities due to the availability of natural gas from shallow wells. During the last 15 years exploration technology has improved dramatically. Potential oil and gas in Michigan are now estimated to be 3 times the total of all Michigan's prior production since the beginning of the industry here. Exploration and drilling activities are expected to be mostly in the Northern lower peninsula and in central Michigan, especially in the areas of Montmorency, Alpena, Antrim, Otsego, Manistee, Oscoda, Alcona, and Ingham counties.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Oil and Gas Drilling Production Worker can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development