Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas: Career & Application Guide

What do rotary drill operators, oil and gas do?

Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
Maintain records of footage drilled, location and nature of strata penetrated, materials and tools used, services rendered, and time required.
Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.
Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
Maintain and adjust machinery to ensure proper performance.
Direct rig crews in drilling and other activities, such as setting up rigs and completing or servicing wells.
Weigh clay, and mix with water and chemicals to make drilling mud.
Start and examine operation of slush pumps to ensure circulation and consistency of drilling fluid or mud in well.

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