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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.
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.
As an offshore drilling engineer, you could expect to earn a salary of around $55,000 - $65,000 per year. On the highest end of the scale, a specialist role like a drilling consultant would earn between $143,000 - $305,000.
There are many opportunities for career progression in the sector. After joining the industry through an entry-level role like a drilling engineer, you could be promoted to a drilling consultant or an offshore installation manager.
Alternatively, you may decide to set up your own business and work as a contractor with other firms to negotiate a higher rate of pay.
Job openings in Drilling
Contract & Procurement Drilling Lead
Location: Paris
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Quality Management
Experience: 5 years
The Job holder leads and organizes the Drilling Wells and Logistics activities of Contracts and Procurement entity by performing the following tasks: Assist the Partner entities for all Contracts and Procurement activities Organize and control the Contracts and Procurement function on a daily basis Supervises and ensure that the strategy is appropriate, transparent and justified for subjects to be presented to the Contracts Committees Lead the drive on cost optimization and reduction through usage of Market intelligence information, suppliers' qualifications & evaluations, Cost Models, target prices, etc. Establish and promote continuous improvement of Contracts and Procurement practices, procedures & reference documentation - Lead Duet/Triplet meetings with partner entities and technical managers Coordinate the workload within the entire Contracts and Procurement workforce Manage the DW Contracts and Procurement team in cooperation with the Partners entities, respecting the C&P system of reference, the local constraints, and the eventual « synergy » action plans defined by TEPMA1 Ensure the maintenance of the necessary level of competencies for the realization of the Contracts and Procurement activities Ensures the involvement of CATMAN for all Contracts and Procurement activities for which a category exist Ensure the communication of good practices and lessons learned to TEPMA1 on contractual matters - Participate in the job specification, competence assessment & recruitment processes for personnel The job holder manages the D&W activities: Participate in anticipation of the needs of partner entities through the creation of the procurement planning Supervises the establishment of the technical contracts, directly participate to the most complex contracts and purchase orders - Manage the contracts processes correctly Carries out contracting and procurement process in accordance with TEPMA1's rules and procedures Receive, control and manage proper distribution to Procurement team of all Purchase Requisitions (PRs) for Materials coming from all other entities of TEPMA1 Ensures effective use of tools and systems for optimum productivity Maintains a log of all savings generated for Contracts and Procurement in own domain and obtains validation of such savings - Validate or ensure validation of all the contractual documents and formal letters issues by Contracts and Procurement entity - Verify the operation, utilization and updating of supplier's database Conduct selective contractual audits in order to guarantee the performance of contractual terms and conditions Intervene in the settlement of lawsuits, in relation with the Juridical, Insurance, Finance by proposing strategies and actions and by participating to the negotiations Define and monitor KPIs to ensure improvement of efficiencies Keep local content of the contract's templates (General conditions, particular conditions) up-to-date, and adapt international versions to local requirements Ensure global reporting of DW Contract and Procurement activity to the C&P management - Define, adopt and monitor adapted Contracting and Procurement strategies (by categories, etc…)
Specialist - Longhole Operators
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 0 years
As a Specialist - Longhole Operator, you will be responsible for operating and maintaining longhole drilling equipment in underground mining operations. You will work on a FIFO basis in Papua New Guinea, ensuring safe and efficient drilling activities to support production targets. This role requires a strong focus on safety, teamwork, and adherence to operational procedures.
Frontline Jumbo Operator Specialist
Location: Brisbane
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 4 years
As a Frontline Jumbo Operator Specialist, you will be responsible for operating and maintaining jumbo drill rigs to assist in the excavation and drilling processes at our mining site in PNG. You will work closely with the mining team to ensure safe and efficient drilling operations, following all relevant safety protocols and procedures. Your role will be crucial in ensuring the success of our mining projects.
Operations Geologist I
Location: Doha
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
HSEDemonstrates personal commitment to the HSE Policy.Maintains awareness of and ensures compliance with all relevant Statutory and Company HSE standards.Actively participates in Company safety awareness and initiative schemes.Ensures BOSIET and all required certifications for operation geology execution are valid.Operation Geology safety matters Well Planning ActivitiesIs responsible for the detailed well planning from BOD to handoverEnsures timely production of the Well Statement of Requirements (CP-NOC-009) and the detailed data acquisition programs to ensure optimized well planning.Supports Growth and RESM teams in assessing opportunities, providing operational inputParticipates in Drilling Sequence reviews and validation in coordination with other entities involved.For development infill wells gathers from the Well Excellence team Pore Pressure Predictions and the integrated up-to-date Pressure Conditioning Plan. Integrates in pressure diagram the frac pressure prediction when elaborated by Drilling & Wells EntitySupports Well Excellence in the post well review providing the static and operation viewActivity performance, reporting and supervisionCoordinates geological operations activities ensuring their pertinence, efficient implementation and quality, whilst optimizing costs to provide a timely completion of work to an acceptable technical standard.Ensures contract release orders for relevant services are issued, monitor service quality, conduct technical approval of invoices and compiles data acquisition costs.Ensure regular contact with Services Companies (Mud logging, LWD, Wireline, coring). Leads the preparation of Services Quality Meetings and drafts associated reports.Together with the New Wells Delivery Manager, proposes and implements relevant KPI’s for the OGP entity.Quality Control of deliverables, final reportingEnsures Final Geological Reports are issued in accordance with defined timelines and Quality.Ensures updating of geological operations lessons learnt and that Return on Experience (REX) are performed.Ensure Post well review is carried out in detailState of The Art implementation of operationsJustifies technical analysis and recommendations regarding formation evaluation data acquisition, integrates/challenges/synthesizes multidisciplinary requirements into COMPANY documents (WSOR, Geological Programs, Final Geological Report, LCD Report);Train/coaches/mentors junior Operations Geologists, and wellsite geologists;Ensures that technical audits at the wellsite are performed, attend key HSE and pre-job briefings. Assist with critical operationsPositively represent COMPANY with external agencies at senior levels
