Description
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.
- • Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
- • 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.
- • Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.
- • Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
- • Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
- • Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
- • Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
- • Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
- • 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
