The Driller is the person on a rig who is in charge of the well drilling process, they supervise the crew and the running of the rig itself. They are responsible for monitoring things like pressure build-ups and gas levels, with safety being of paramount importance.
Drillers are one of the very few people with the authority to shut down the well if an emergency occurs.
The Toolpusher, driller and rig crew will work for a drilling contractor, taking their operational orders from the Company Man or Drilling Supervisor who represents the operator company.
What qualifications are needed as a driller?
For a driller, skills are arguably more important than specific qualifications, with a lot of the experience required coming through working through the ranks on a rig.
Typically, good critical thinking, excellent communication skills, steady hands and good coordination make up the skills toolbox for a driller.
There are two main well control certifications, with many companies wanting at least one. These are the IADC and the IWCF.
For offshore rigs, the standard industry certificates such as BOSIET, HUET or MIST are essential, as is a medical to prove good health.
How to become one?
It’s quite common for drillers to start on the rig floor working as a roustabout and learning on the job until they become an assistant driller, then once they have the relevant knowledge and a bit more experience they can take the step up to being a drill operator.
What salary you’ll make
This really depends on where your rig is based, with key factors including remoteness and the harshness of environmental conditions. An onshore rig in Abu Dhabi will not pay a driller as much as one based in the stormy seas west of the Shetland Isles for example.
It is the norm for people to work on a rotation, usually 28 days on 28 days off, and to be paid a daily rate for the days they work. These range from $750 up to $1,000 or occasionally higher.
What jobs are there?
There are onshore drilling operations in large parts of the world, and many offshore areas still being explored and developed.
For offshore work, you will work either on a fixed or floating rig, which is determined by the depth of water. This could be a drillship, a jack-up rig, a platform or a semisubmersible.
Related vacancies
Electrical Technician - Saudi Arabia
Location: Manama
Branche: Oil & Gas
Expertise: Project Management & Services
Experience: 4 years
Work location is in Saudi Arabia;Execute the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule and ensure full preventative maintenance is carried out for electrical and instrumentation equipment and machinery in a timely manner in compliance with Company policies and procedures, customer specifications and industry standards;Perform the configuration, calibration, maintenance and programming of electrical and instrumentation equipment/machinery as per established SOP’s;Schedule and conduct electrical and instrumentation maintenance works on related equipment as per contractual/customer requirements and specifications whilst adhering to quality and industry standards;Conduct fault diagnosis investigations, carry out corrective maintenance and repairs for electrical and instrumentation equipment to ensure machines/equipment are in good working condition;To provide on-site support to customers as and when required to ensure all equipment and machinery conform to the relevant standards and regulatory requirements.
Sales Manager Pulp & Paper
Location: Dubai
Branche: Oil & Gas
Expertise: Project Management & Services
Experience: 5 years
The ideal candidate should be well versed with the commercial aspects of business - Viz, Product Cost and price concepts, Commercial concepts - payment terms, LCs, banking concepts, shipping terms. Also have a clear understanding of profitability and margin concepts;He should be self-motivated to achieve the sales budget given to him by the company. It is important that he has good people skills in terms of developing relationships and maintaining customer contact;He should also be well versed in the technical and commercial needs of the paper mills, exhibiting sound knowledge of the customer's production processes and requirements in terms of process cost savings etc.