Description
Set up, operate, and maintain derrick equipment and pumps to circulate drilling fluid through the wellbore for safe, efficient drilling.
- • Inspect derricks before raising or lowering.
- • Clean, inspect, and lubricate derricks to maintain proper condition.
- • Monitor and control drilling fluid viscosity and weight.
- • Repair and maintain pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
- • Install and bolt crown blocks at the top of the derrick.
- • Monitor mud pumps for vibration, noise, and performance issues.
- • Start and regulate pumps to circulate mud through drill pipe and borehole.
- • Position and align derrick components using harnesses and climbing devices.
- • Lead, supervise, and help train crew members.
- • Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- • Prepare mud reports and instruct crews on handling chemical additives.
- • Clamp holding fixtures to ends of hoisting cables.
- • Mix drilling mud by weighing materials and blending with water and chemicals.
- • String cables through pulleys and blocks.
- • Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
