Oil Rig Toolpusher or (Rig Manager) Jobs
A Toolpusher, or Rig Manager, is the most senior supervisor
on a drilling rig and is in complete control of all operations
that occur on an oil-drilling operation, whether it's an oil
well on land or a drilling platform far out to sea.
The rig manager is responsible for the rig crews, the equipment
and the overall operation of the production crews. The rig
manager is also responsible for ensuring that the rig runs
smoothly in all weather conditions and under all manner of
difficulties that may arise during the job.
The rig manager is in direct supervision of the driller and
his various drilling and production crews. The rig manager
is the drilling company representative on the rig and is responsible
for getting the holes drilled safely, efficiently and on budget.
Keeping the drilling costs down and the equipment in good
running order is one of the top priorities of a rig manager.
This sort of constant and vigorous training provides a level
of experience that every rig manager can draw from while handling
the many responsibilities of running an oil rig operation.
Superior leadership skills must be honed if the rig manager
is to have a dependable and smooth-running group of production
crews. Excellent managerial skills and precise organizational
practices will also take a rig manager far during rig operations.
A good rig manager is on call 24 hours a day to make sure
that the rig and the personnel on it are working at peak form
and safety levels.
Rig managers generally learn their job by coming up through
the ranks from the basic crew, to supervisory positions, drillers
and finally to rig manager.
To become a rig manager you should have a background in
the oil industry with courses under your belt, which can include
safety, management and organizational training.
Many companies offer ongoing training throughout the year to
its personnel in order to keep abreast of many safety and regulatory
details and changes.
First aid, WHMIS, Fall Protection, Second Line BOP, Dangerous
Goods, High Angle Rescue and other training courses will go
far to help you get the rig manager job you want.
The level of experience and training you have will help to
set your salary, which can range from $60,000 to $155,000 a
year and is usually a set day rate plus living allowance.
There are many paths of advancement from the rig manager position,
either within the company you decide to work for or in other
oilfield career positions.
