Derrickhand

Derrickhands guide the positions and movements of drill pipes. They control the automated pipe-handling equipment. They are often responsible for the condition of drilling fluids, or “mud”.

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a derrickhand.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Derrickhand is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to derrickhand.

oil rig motorhand
roughneck
drill operator
rigging supervisor
auger press operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of derrickhand. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of derrickhand with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

petroleum pump system operator
desalination technician
air pollution analyst
mine safety officer
crane crew supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of derrickhand.

• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Rigging terminology: Terms for lifting equipment, lifting accessories, slings, shackles, wires, ropes, chains, cables and nets.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of derrickhand.

• Monitor drilling fluid: Monitor and maintain the drilling fluids, or “mud”. Add different chemicals to the fluid to perform various function in well operations: keep the drill bit cool, provide hydrostatic pressure, etc.
• Control flow of oils: Adjust controls to regulate flow of oils through lines and tanks.
• Use rigging equipment: Set up rolling and lifting equipment required to lift and move objects e.g. with a crane or block and tackle system.
• Guide drill pipes: Guide drill pipe in and out of elevators.
• Maintain mechanical equipment: Observe and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain and repair vehicles meant for cargo, passengers, farming and landscaping.
• Maintain circulation system: Maintain the fluid pumps and circulation systems of an oil pumping system.
• React to events in time-critical environments: Monitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.
• Work in drilling teams: Work confidently within a drilling team on a drilling rig or oil platform with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of derrickhand. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of derrickhand. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Inspect pipelines: Walk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Add chemicals to drilling fluid: Add sacks of chemicals to drilling fluid to maintain a favourable composition, including pH level, viscosity and calcium level.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

8113 – Well drillers and borers and related workers

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References

1. ESCO