Offshore Drilling Worker
The Work
Drillers, assistant drillers and derrickmen are part of the team that works on offshore
facilities such as oil or gas rigs or drilling platforms.
As a derrickman, you would work 20-25 metres above the rig floor on a platform attached
to the derrick (the mast that supports the drilling equipment). You would work under the
supervision of the driller and assistant driller, and your duties would include:
handling and stacking sections of the drill pipe
maintaining the derrick
operating the lifting and hoisting machinery to position the drill
controlling and maintaining mud pumps, and supervising mud pump operators.
As a driller, you would supervise the drilling team and control the rate of drilling. Your work
in this highly skilled role would 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
making sure that the whole team follows health and safety rules.
As an assistant driller it would be your job to coordinate the activities on the drill floor, for
example by passing on instructions and information from the driller to the rest of the
drilling team.
Entry Requirements
You will need to be aged 18 or over for most offshore jobs. You must be at least 1.63m
(5ft 5ins) tall, and you may have to pass a medical as part of the recruitment process.
You may not need qualifications to work offshore. However, it is common to join this
industry through an Apprenticeship scheme, and employers usually prefer Apprentices to
have four GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths and another relevant subject such as
science or design and technology.
To find out more about Apprenticeships in the offshore oil and gas industry, visit the
Apprenticeships, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and
Upstream Oil and Gas Technician Training websites.
Apprenticeships
ECTIB - Apprenticeships
Upstream Oil and Gas Technician Training
If you are not joining the industry through an Apprenticeship, you will find it useful to have
previous work experience in shipbuilding, construction or engineering. A forklift truck
licence could also be helpful.
Before becoming a derrickman, you would usually have around two years' experience in
the industry as a roustabout and roughneck (see the Offshore Roustabout profile for
details).
Hours
You would typically live and work on a rig or platform for two or three weeks, followed by
two or three weeks' rest period on shore. You would work up to 12 hours a day on a
24-hour shift rota.
You could work on a fixed production platform with up to 100 workers, or on a smaller
mobile rig in a team of around 20 people. Facilities can include living accommodation,
canteens and recreation areas. Alcohol and smoking are banned.
The job can be physically demanding, working in all types of weather conditions and at
heights. You would need to wear protective clothing, including a harness, ear defenders
and thermal boiler suit.
Skills and Knowledge
good practical skills
the ability to live and work as a member of a team
willingness to live and work away from home
good leadership skills
the ability to follow and give instructions
awareness of health and safety
physical fitness
a good head for heights.
Training and Development
To work offshore, you must pass an offshore survival and fire-fighting course, also known
as emergency response training, or basic offshore induction and emergency training
(BOSIET). This may be part of an Apprenticeship, or it can be done separately as a short
course. Some employers may provide BOSIET training, but it is also common for you to
fund it yourself before you can find work offshore.
Follow the links below for more information about safety training and where to find
courses.
Oil and Gas 4 U - Safety Training
OPITO - The Oil and Gas Academy: Network of Training Providers
When you start a job you will usually have some initial training onshore (often known as
'greenhand' training), which can include:
working safely
manual handling
working with hazardous substances
working at heights
helicopter and helideck safety
banksman slinging (using hoisting equipment).
You will take further short courses relevant to your particular job as your experience
grows, such as working with cranes and rigging. You could also gain the following
work-based qualifications:
SVQ Offshore Drilling Operations Level 1, and Offshore Deck Operations Level 2 (for
roustabouts and roughnecks)
SVQ Offshore Drilling Operations Level 2, for derrickmen
SVQ Offshore Drilling Operations Level 3, for drillers and assistant drillers.
Contact Cogent for more information on offshore qualifications.
Promotion from derrickman to assistant driller and then driller may take around three to
four years.
More Information
Cogent
Unit 5, Mandarin Court
Centre Park
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1GG
Tel: 01925 515200
www.cogent-ssc.com
Oil & Gas UK
www.oilandgasuk.org.uk
Oilcareers
www.oilcareers.com
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)
Blue Court
Church Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8JP
Tel: 01923 260000
www.ecitb.org.uk
Opportunities
Most of the UK offshore oil and gas industry is located off the east coast of Scotland and
England, with other fields in the Irish Sea and west of the Shetland Islands.
Follow the link below for a map of the main locations of various parts of the energy
industry in the UK (courtesy of Cogent).
Cogent - UK Footprint
You could work for operating companies with their own exploration and production
licences, or for drilling and maintenance contracting companies.
With experience, you could be promoted from driller to toolpusher or rig manager. Many
employers operate throughout the world, so you could also work overseas.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new
window):
Oil and Gas 4 U
Oil Careers
Oil and Gas Job Search
Offshore Technology
Cleddau Oil Rig jobs
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
Income
Apprentices can earn between £12,000 and £20,000 a year.
Derrickmen can earn between £25,000 and £30,000, depending on experience.
Drillers and assistant drillers can earn £30,000 to £50,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
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Offshore Roustabout