Description
Set up and operate rotary drilling and hydraulic fracturing support equipment to prepare wells, drill out plugs, and control pressures during stimulation and flowback, ensuring safe and efficient oil and gas production.
- • Train crews and enforce hydraulic fracturing and drill-out safety procedures.
- • Monitor treating and standpipe gauges; adjust pumps, throttles, and chokes to control rates and pressures.
- • Count drill pipe or coiled tubing footage to track plug drill-out depth.
- • Operate drawworks and controls to run in and pull out drill strings, tubing, and casing.
- • Connect and torque drill pipe, BHAs, and pressure-control equipment using power tongs and wrenches.
- • Record stage data: depths, rates, pressures, proppant and chemical volumes, tools used, and time.
- • Inspect, maintain, and adjust drilling and frac equipment for proper performance.
- • Start and monitor frac pumps, blender, and hydration units to maintain fluid quality and sand concentration.
- • Locate and recover stuck mills, plugs, or parted pipe using fishing tools.
- • Blend water, sand, and additives per program; sample and test fluid properties on site.
- • Direct rig-up and rig-down of rig, frac iron, manifolds, and support equipment.
- • Track drill-out progress and change mills or bits based on formation response.
- • Repair or replace components on pumps, compressors, power units, and rig systems.
- • Clean and lubricate sheaves, blocks, and cables.
- • Assemble and pressure-test frac stacks, BOPs, tanks, and flow lines.
- • Manage well pressure: set packers, operate valves and chokes, and control flowback.
- • Install and test isolation equipment for multi-stage fracturing operations.
- • Spot and position rig and support trucks at wellsites per layout and maps.
- • Implement spill containment, waste handling, and site housekeeping.
- • Demobilize equipment and restore work areas after completion.
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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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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
