Description
Operate and supervise oil and gas drilling rigs, setting up equipment, controlling drilling parameters, and directing the crew to drill wells or obtain core samples safely and efficiently while maintaining records and equipment.
- • Track pipe tally and well depth.
- • Train and supervise rig crews; enforce safe drilling procedures.
- • Observe gauges and control rotary speed, weight on bit, and pump pressure.
- • Operate drawworks and brakes to trip pipe and run casing.
- • Direct and assist in making up and breaking out drill pipe with tongs or iron roughneck.
- • Maintain daily drilling records, footage, formations, materials, and time.
- • Inspect, adjust, and coordinate maintenance of drilling equipment.
- • Start and monitor mud pumps to maintain circulation and mud properties.
- • Coordinate fishing operations for lost or stuck tools and tubulars.
- • Oversee mixing of drilling fluids and chemical additives.
- • Lead rig-up, drilling operations, and completion or servicing activities.
- • Monitor drilling progress and change bits according to formations.
- • Arrange repair or replacement of defective rig components and pumps.
- • Ensure hoisting equipment, pulleys, and cables are cleaned, lubricated, and safe.
- • Supervise assembly of pumps, power units, tanks, and flowlines.
- • Direct coring operations and retrieval of core samples.
- • Install packers and operate valves to control or shut in well flow.
- • Run casing and install wellhead equipment to prepare new wells.
- • Position, level, and secure the rig or derrick at designated locations.
- • Oversee well plugging and site restoration.
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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
