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Oil and gas well drilling workers

OaSIS code 84101.01

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

Overview

Also known as

  • Acidizer - oil field services
  • Derrickhand

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 well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers (83101)
  • Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers (85111)

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

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Controlling Machines and Processes
5 - Highest Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
5 - Highest Level
Mechanical Maintenance
5 - Highest Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Drilling and well service contractors
  • Petroleum producing companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Depth Perception
5 - Highest Level
Sound Localization
5 - Highest Level
Body Flexibility
4 - High Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level
Dynamic Strength
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Operation and Control
4 - High Level
Preventative Maintenance
4 - High Level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Instructing
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
3 - Important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Collaboration
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Completion of petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required.
  • One year of experience as a floorhand, assistant or labourer is usually required.
  • Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), cryogenic safety or in other safety concerns may be required.
  • Rig technician certification for motorhands and derrickhands may be required by some employers.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Chemistry
1 - Basic Level
Geological Resources
1 - Basic Level
Geoscience
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

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.

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