Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers, and Related Workers
(NOC 8232)
in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and MiningOil and gas well drillers and well servicers control the use of drilling and hoisting equipment on drilling and service rigs and direct the activities of the rig crew under supervision of the rig manager. Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers use specialized equipment, tools or instruments to carry out services in well drilling, completion or servicing. They work for drilling and well service contractors, petroleum producing companies and well logging or testing companies.
Job Outlook
Limited
Read more
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$23.53
Minimum$39.46
Median$54.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$29,952
Minimum$89,741
Median$289,122
MaximumCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$18.00
Median$30.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,009
Minimum$23,520
Median$87,170
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers control the use of drilling and hoisting equipment on drilling and service rigs and direct the activities of the rig crew under supervision of the rig manager. Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers use specialized equipment, tools or instruments to carry out services in well drilling, completion or servicing. They work for drilling and well service contractors, petroleum producing companies and well logging or testing companies.
Job duties
Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers:
- Direct rig crew in setting up rigs and drilling, completing or servicing oil and gas exploration and producing wells.
- Run controls of drill or service rig drilling and hoisting machinery.
- Train or arrange for training of crew.
- Keep records of drilling and servicing operations.
- Make sure safety procedures are followed.
Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers:
- Drive well service or wireline truck to well site.
- Build and attach equipment, tools or recorders to drill stem or wireline to conduct required procedures and tests.
- Use or direct the use of wireline or unit controls to lower, position and retrieve equipment and instruments.
- Use recorders and computers in mobile testing or logging unit to collect data.
- May do limited data interpretation.
Sample job titles
- assistant driller - oil and gas well drilling
- directional drilling operator
- downhole tool operator
- drill stem tester
- driller - oil and gas drilling
- electric line operator
- logging and perforating operator
- rig technician - driller
- service rig operator - oil field services
- slickline operator
- well testing operator - oil and gas drilling
- wireline operator
Skills
- You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical skill would also be helpful. You must be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by supervisors.
Job requirements
- High school is usually required.
- Oil and gas well drillers and well servicers need three to six months of formal on-the-job training, college or petroleum industry-approved training courses and four or more years of work experience in subordinate rig crew positions.
- A college diploma in drilling may be required.
- Offshore work requires several years of experience in the same position on land.
- Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, well control, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) and a special oil well operator (boiler) certificate are needed.
- Oil and gas well loggers, testers and related workers need three to six months of formal on-the-job training and several years of experience in entry logging and testing positions or on drilling and servicing rigs.
- Completion of a college program in electronics or engineering technology may be required for open hole well logging.
- A provincial blaster's licence, and seismic blaster and oil well blaster certification are required for well perforation services.
- Trade certification for rig technician is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
- Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified rig technicians after successful completion of the Red Seal exam.
Other considerations
- Movement between jobs on drilling and service rigs is limited by the differences in the machinery, tools and operations performed, but movement is possible especially from drilling to service rigs. Movement to crew supervisor or manager is possible with experience and additional education and training. The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
North Shore
$93,654 median annual incomeHalifax
$77,762 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$89,602 median annual incomeCape Breton
$74,162 median annual incomeSouthern
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
45-54
55-64
15-24
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
45-54
15-24
55-64
35-44
25-34
Top levels of education
High school
$73,073 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$119,831 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$108,146 median annual incomeLess than high school
$70,873 median annual incomeBachelor
N/ACompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Less than high school
$23,463 median annual incomeHigh school
$19,301 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$29,551 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$31,535 median annual incomeBachelor
$17,956 median annual incomeEducation & training
Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. They include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
High School Diploma or Equivalent
High School ProgramAdults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Various, NS
Various, NS
Petroleum Technology/Technician
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in the development and operation of oil and natural gas extraction and processing facilities. They include courses in principles of petroleum extraction and related geology, petroleum field mapping and site analysis, testing and sampling methods, instrument calibration, laboratory analysis, test equipment operation and maintenance, environment and safety monitoring procedures for oil/gas fields and facilities, facility inspection procedures, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
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Contacts
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