Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (60%).

• Prepare mud reports, and instruct crews about the handling of any chemical additives.
• Listen to mud pumps and check regularly for vibration and other problems to ensure that rig pumps and drilling mud systems are working properly.
• Guide lengths of pipe into and out of elevators.
• Steady pipes during connection to or disconnection from drill or casing strings.
• Repair pumps, mud tanks, and related equipment.
• Start pumps that circulate mud through drill pipes and boreholes to cool drill bits and flush out drill cuttings.
• Clamp holding fixtures on ends of hoisting cables.
• String cables through pulleys and blocks.
• Position and align derrick elements, using harnesses and platform climbing devices.

• Supervise crew members, and provide assistance in training them.
• Inspect derricks, or order their inspection, prior to being raised or lowered.
• Control the viscosity and weight of the drilling fluid.
• Set and bolt crown blocks to posts at tops of derricks.
• Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud, using portable mixers.
• Inspect derricks for flaws, and clean and oil derricks to maintain proper working conditions.