Derrickmen/women, assistant drillers and drillers are based on
offshore facilities such as oil or gas rigs or drilling platforms,
working as part of a team of up to 20 people.
Derrickmen/women work 20-25 metres above the rig floor on
the derrick, the mast that supports the drilling assembly. Duties
include:
handling and stacking sections of the drill pipe
maintaining the derrick
operating the lifting and hoisting machinery that positions the
drill
controlling and maintaining mud pumps, and supervising mud
pump operators.
The work is carried out under the supervision of the driller and
assistant driller.
Assistant drillers coordinate the activities on the drill floor,
communicating instructions and information from the driller to the
rest of the drilling team. Drillers perform a highly-skilled role,
controlling the rate and continuity of the drilling as well as
supervising the drilling team. Duties include:
controlling operations on the drill floor
overseeing assembly of the drilling tools, and connecting
sections of the drill pipe
operating and controlling the machinery that raises and lowers
the drill
keeping records of the drilling process
ensuring health and safety procedures are observed.
Working Environment
Derrickmen/women and drillers work up to 12 hours a day on a
24-hour shift rota. They normally work on a rig or platform for
two or three weeks, followed by two or three weeks’ rest period
ashore.
Oil drilling rigs are small, mobile structures; production platforms
are larger, accommodating 50 to 100 workers, where facilities
include cabins, canteens, recreational facilities and offices. Alcohol
and smoking are banned. Working on a rig or platform can be
physically demanding, working in all types of weather, often very
cold, and at heights.
They are likely to wear protective clothing, which includes eye
protection, harnesses, hard hats, gloves, ear defenders and
thermal boiler suits.

Oil Rig Worker Related Skills
To be a derrickman/woman or driller you should:
have good practical skills
be able to live and work as a member of a team
be prepared to live and work away from home
be assertive and able to follow and give instructions
be aware of health and safety issues
be physically fit
be able to work at heights.

Oil Rig Worker Career Opportunities

There are also fields in the niger delta region. Many employers operate
throughout the world, so it may be possible to work overseas.
Around 30,000 people work offshore on mobile drilling rigs, fixed
production platforms or FPSOs (floating production, storage and
offloading units). There is a high turnover of roustabouts, so
opportunities for finding work are good.

Employers include: operating companies (usually oil companies),
drilling companies, maintenance contractors, FPSO operators and
specialist service companies (equipment suppliers, seismic firms
and catering providers).
Most employees start as a roustabout and work their way up with
experience and ability. Promotion from roustabout to roughneck
can take 1-3 years, from there to derrickman/woman 2-3 years
and on to assistant driller 4-6 years. The next stage would be
promotion to toolpusher or rig manager.

can anyone without prior experience be accepted in the drilling job? Is it meant only for graduates?

@op,i want to thank you for making out time to educate us.God bless u.

Op,i have few questions:1.I will like to know the best method to apply for roustabout jobs.is it online or going to the companies in person? 2.can you list some multinationals that are recuriting roustabouts.thank you and God bless you.luv u all.

This is good.

I have done my STWC's wth HUET.But among these courses which of them do u guys advice me to do..Helicopter Landing Officer,Quater Master,Efficient Deck Hand,Marine Engr Assistant,Tanker Familiarization,International Safety Managememt,Rigging and Slinging(Banksman),Aviation Radio Telephone Training....Plz gud advice needed.Thanks