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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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84101.01 – Oil and gas well drilling workers

Oil and gas well drilling workers operate drilling and service rig machinery as intermediate members of the rig crew.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Acidizer - oil field services
  • Derrickhand

Core competencies

  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to oversee the functionality of drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions and other mechanical equipment to ensure maintenance and repairs are completed
  • Operation and Control to operate drilling and rig machinery from platforms during removals and replacements of strings of pipe and drill stems and bits
  • Depth Perception to shift and direct lengths of pipe using harnesses with other workers to align and secure to other derrick elements
  • Sound Localization to listen to mud pumps to identify potential blockages within pipes, the need for maintenance or potential breakdowns
  • Collaboration to assist coworkers in setting up, taking down and transporting rigs
  • Knowledge in Geological Resources to understand the types of rock formations, soils to plan and execute drilling operations effectively

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Use specialized equipment, information and maps to determine and document the location of buried pipelines and other utilities in preparation for seismic exploration and drilling activities
  • Align and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem from platform on rig derrick during removal and replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill bit
  • Operate and maintain drilling mud systems and pumps during drilling, and mix mud, chemicals and additives
  • Record mud flows and volumes and take samples
  • Operate and maintain drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions and other mechanical equipment
  • Assist in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs
  • Supervise floorhands and labourers.

Additional information

  • Progression to oil and gas well driller or service rig operator is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services (82021)
  • Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers (85111)
  • Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (83101)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

84 – Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production

Sub-major group

841 – Workers in natural resources and fisheries

Minor group

8410 – Mine service workers and operators in oil and gas drilling

Unit group

84101 – Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators

Occupational profile

84101.01 – Oil and gas well drilling workers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.