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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
Drilling Supervisor
Location: Barmer
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Position: Drilling Supervisor.Contract: On Contract Role. The Drilling Supervisor reports to the Drilling Superintendent and is responsible for guaranteeing the accomplishment of the drilling, completion and testing operations at the rig site, in compliance with codes of practice, safety and environmental protection, all the while optimizing costs and efficiencies. He is the senior company representative at the rig site and ensures the suitability of operational requirements of contractor personnel, equipment and services. He strives for continual improvements in safety and operational performance.
Drilling Superintendent
Location: Barmer
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Position: Drilling Superintendent Contract: On Contract Role. The Drilling Superintendent/Manager reports to the TBC. The role is responsible for guaranteeing the accomplishment of the drilling and completion operations, in compliance with codes of practice, safety and environmental protection, all while optimizing costs and lead times. The successful candidate will ensure the suitability to operational requirements of personnel, equipment and services. They will also contribute to the return on Exploration & Production investments, through a continual search for improving equipment, services and operational procedures.
Senior Drilling Engineer
Location: Barmer
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Position: Senior Drilling Engineer.Contract: On Contract Role. The Senior Drilling Engineer reports to the Drilling Superintendent/Manager. The role will be responsible for drilling engineering activities for our onshore drilling campaign. The key work will include but is not limited to advancing the subsurface well proposal to a full drilling program (Prognosis, mud, cement, directional drilling, mud logging, casing design, etc.), Drill the Well on Paper exercises, pre-spud meeting with operations team, daily operations monitoring, end of well report review and lessons learned to optimize operations. Preparation and execution of Drilling and Completion programmes which delivers an efficient operation, safeguarding health and safety of personnel, the environment and the integrity of the company assets.Preparation of Government consents, notifications and on-going reporting to Government departmentsAssurance of the technical integrity of the operations and compliance with in-country law, corporate policy, InternationalHSE weekly operations reporting.Identify then prepare AFE and order long lead equipment for Drilling, and Completion programs.Delivery of safe and environmentally sound drilling engineering solutionsPreparing well designs in accordance with the COMPANYS Well Delivery ProcessPreparation of casing designs for upcoming Exploration and Development wells.Daily Operational Drilling Engineering Support to on-going operations.AFE preparation.Cost estimation for potential Exploration Wells.Part of weekend duty rota team.Ensure completion of End of Well reports.Plan and Prepare for Continuous Improvement Workshops and close out of actions.Achieving best-in-class performance through the application of performancemanagement practices and driving supplier performance.Participate in Morning Calls, HSE and Continuous Improvement sessions.Providing mentoring to less experienced engineers.Providing DSI holiday cover.Interfacing with subsurface, production and Drilling team to prepare Drilling and Completion well programs.Site visits as required / quarterlyAttend rig-based pre-spuds as required.Performing post-analyses performance.Participation in contract Tender and evaluation process.Participation in Service Company Auditing
Night Drilling Supervisor
Location: Barmer
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Planning & Testing
Experience: 5 years
Position: Night Drilling Supervisor.Contract: On Contract Role. The Night Drilling Supervisor reports to the Drilling Supervisor and is responsible for guaranteeing the accomplishment of the drilling, completion and testing operations at the rig site, in compliance with codes of practice, safety and environmental protection, all the while optimizing costs and efficiencies. He ensures the suitability of operational requirements of contractor personnel, equipment and services, and strives for continual improvements in safety and operational performance.
