Offshore Drilling Worker
What is the work like?
Derrickmen, assistant drillers and drillers are part of the team that works on offshore facilities such as oil or gas rigs or drilling platforms.
As a derrickman, you would work 20-25 metres above the rig floor on a platform attached to the derrick (the mast that supports the drilling equipment). You would work under the supervision of the driller and assistant driller, and your duties would include:
- handling and stacking sections of the drill pipe
- maintaining the derrick
- operating the lifting and hoisting machinery to position the drill
- controlling and maintaining mud pumps, and supervising mud pump operators.
As a driller, you would supervise the drilling team and control the rate of drilling. Your work in this highly skilled role would include:
- controlling operations on the drill floor
- overseeing assembly of the drilling tools, and connecting sections of the drill pipe
- operating and controlling the machinery that raises and lowers the drill
- keeping records of the drilling process
- making sure that the whole team follows health and safety rules.
As an assistant driller your job would be to coordinate the activities on the drill floor. You would pass on instructions and information from the driller to the rest of the drilling team.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would usually join the industry as a roustabout and progress to roughneck after around six months (see related profiles). Promotion from roughneck to derrickman usually takes one or two years, and derrickman to assistant driller and driller may take another three to four years.
You will need to be aged 18 or over for most offshore jobs. You must be at least 1.63m (5ft 5ins) tall, and you may have to pass a medical as part of the recruitment process.
You may not need qualifications to work offshore. However, it is common to join this industry through an Apprenticeship scheme, and employers usually prefer Apprentices to have four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades 1-3 including English, maths and another relevant subject such as science or design and technology.
To find out more about Apprenticeships in the offshore oil and gas industry, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk, or see the Cogent, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and Upstream Oil and Gas Technician Training websites.
If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship, you will find it useful to have previous work experience in shipbuilding, construction or engineering. A forklift truck licence could also be helpful.
What further training and development can I do?
To work offshore, you must pass an offshore survival and fire-fighting course, also known as emergency response training, or basic offshore induction and emergency training (BOSIET).
Employers may provide BOSIET training, but it is more common for you to fund it yourself before you can find work in the industry. Visit OPITO's website for details of approved training providers.
When you start a job you will be given induction training onshore, which lasts two or three weeks. You will have further on-the-job training on the rig or platform.
Once you are working in the oil and gas industry, you can take various work-based qualifications including the following SVQs:- Offshore Drilling Operations Level 1, and Offshore Deck Operations Level 2 (for roustabouts and roughnecks)
- Offshore Drilling Operations Level 2, for derrickmen
- Offshore Drilling Operations Level 3, for drillers and assistant drillers.
Contact Cogent for more information on offshore qualifications.
Where can I go for more information?
Centre Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1GG
Tel: 01925 515200
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
NASEC Administration: 01923 402155
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
Offshore Roustabout/ Roughneck
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Derrickmen can earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year, depending on experience.
- Drillers and assistant drillers can earn £30,000 to £50,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically live and work on a rig or platform for two or three weeks, followed by two or three weeks’ rest period on shore. You would work up to 12 hours a day on a 24-hour shift rota.
You could work on a fixed production platform with up to 100 workers, or on a smaller mobile rig in a team of around 20 people. Facilities can include living accommodation, canteens and recreation areas. Alcohol and smoking are banned.
The job can be physically demanding, working in all types of weather conditions and at heights. You would need to wear protective clothing, including a harness, ear defenders and thermal boiler suit.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good practical skills
- the ability to live and work as a member of a team
- willingness to live and work away from home
- good leadership skills
- the ability to follow and give instructions
- awareness of health and safety
- physical fitness
- a good head for heights.
What opportunities are there?
The UK offshore oil and gas industry is located mainly off the east coast of Scotland and England. There are also fields in the Irish Sea and west of the Shetland Islands. Many employers operate throughout the world, so you could also work overseas.
You could work for operating companies with their own exploration and production licences, or for drilling and maintenance contracting companies. Jobs may be advertised in the press, on employers' websites and specialist recruitment agencies.
With experience, you could be promoted from driller to toolpusher or rig manager.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
Oil and Gas 4 u.com
Oil Careers
Oil and Gas UK (list of member companies)
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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