Description
Set up, operate, and maintain sonic drilling rigs to advance casings and obtain continuous core samples for geotechnical, environmental, and mineral investigations. Control sonic parameters and fluid systems, direct crews, and ensure safe, efficient drilling and well installation.
- • Train crews and implement safe sonic drilling and decontamination procedures.
- • Monitor gauges and control panels; adjust oscillator frequency, amplitude, rotation, and feed to optimize penetration and sample quality.
- • Count and log casing and rod sections to track borehole depth and tooling in hole.
- • Use hydraulic levers and pedals to control feed, winch, rod handler, and mast functions.
- • Connect and break out casing, core barrels, and drill rods with wrenches, tongs, and breakout tools.
- • Maintain detailed records of footage, stratigraphy, sample recovery, fluids used, tooling, services, and time.
- • Inspect, maintain, and adjust oscillator, rotation head, clamps, rod handler, and safety interlocks.
- • Start and monitor pumps, compressors, and mist or air systems to manage cuttings and hole stability.
- • Locate and recover stuck or lost casing, core barrels, and tools using fishing equipment.
- • Mix water, polymers, bentonite, or foam to prepare drilling fluids when required.
- • Direct rig crews in site setup, rig-up and rig-down, drilling, sampling, and well installation.
- • Monitor drilling performance and modify bit or shoe selection, vibration settings, and thrust for varying formations.
- • Repair or replace defective rig components, hoses, and fittings using hand and power tools.
- • Clean, lubricate, and inspect winches, sheaves, cables, and mast components.
- • Assemble pumps and connect water supply, return lines, and containment systems for fluids and cuttings.
- • Retrieve continuous core samples in liners; label, log, and preserve samples to client specifications.
- • Install and grout monitoring wells, casings, and screens; place seals and sand packs.
- • Set up and level truck-mounted sonic rigs at designated locations; verify utilities and access per site plans.
- • Abandon boreholes and restore sites in accordance with regulations.
- • Implement spill prevention and waste management; handle and transport cuttings and fluids safely.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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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
