Oil Rig Derrickhand Jobs
Working in the petroleum industry takes a special type of person.
And working on oil drilling platforms and derricks takes an
especially adept and hardy individual to get the many strenuous
and challenging jobs done.
The Derrickhand, for example, assists the Driller with any
equipment maintenance and takes care of the pumps and the
special "mud" systems used when drilling for the
oil.
An ability to work at heights is also an essential aspect
of this position as Derrickhands must often climb the derrick
(About 25 meters above the platform floor) and guide the pipe
into the derrick structure.
The Derrickhand uses a safety harness and special climbing
apparatus to reach the higher levels of the derrick while
performing his duties.
You should be physically fit and have a strong work ethic
and not stop until the job is done.
There's no quitting halfway through on an oil rig job where
millions of dollars of oil are at stake at any one time. You
have to be certain that you are capable of doing the work
before you sign on for this type of duty.
You must also be capable of traveling to remote locations
and must be able to work outdoors for long periods of time,
regardless of the weather conditions. The work is hard but
the compensation is always worth the trouble.
Other duties of Derrickhands can include:
- Controlling the viscosity of the drilling fluid known as
"mud"
- Listen to mud pumps, checking regularly for vibration and
other operational problems
- Maintain the mudtanks and keep them in good repair
- Make sure the derrick is inspected before raising or lowering
pipe
- Maintain the drilling equipment with the aid of the Driller
- Help out in the training of new crewmembers
Work schedules are usually based on twelve-hour shifts; depending
on where the work is and how many crew personnel the platform
has at any one time. Derrickhands can expect to earn anywhere
from $30 to $45 an hour, Again, this will depend on the location
of the work and sometimes the season of the work itself.
The Derrickhand or Derrickman position varies greatly from
one drilling rig to another. He almost always reports directly
to the driller.
The name derrickman comes from the position that he normally
occupies, which is at the top of the derrick. From this position
he guides the stands of drill pipe, typically 90 ft (27 meters)
long, into the fingers at the top of the derrick while tripping
(removing the drill string) out of the hole. When tripping into
the hole (aka Running In) he will pull the pipe out of the fingers
and guide it into the elevators suspended from the top drive.
Traditionally the derrickman also works closely with the mud
engineer (see drilling fluid) when not tripping pipe since he
is not needed in the derrick.In this capacity it is his responsibility
for monitoring the viscosity and the mud weight (density), adding
sacks of chemicals (25-100 lb each) to the mud to maintain properties,
and monitor the mud level in the mud pits to aid in the well
control. He may also be responsible for the shale shakers and
the mud pumps. The derrickman is also responsible for the transfer
of chemicals (eg: Barite or Bentonite or oil-based fluids) from
bulk silos or tanks to the mud system.
