Oil and Gas Well Drilling Related Workers and Services Operators
(NOC 8412)
in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and MiningOil and gas well drilling workers use drilling and service rig machinery as middle members of the rig crew. Oil and gas well services operators drive trucks and use specialized hydraulic pumping systems to place cement in wells or to treat wells with chemicals, sand mixtures or gases to stimulate production. They work for drilling and well service contractors and by petroleum producing companies.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 11% of Oil and Gas Well Drilling Workers and Services Operators who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$20.00
Minimum$33.00
Median$44.50
MaximumAnnual Pay
$23,079
Minimum$81,893
Median$150,159
MaximumCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$24.84
Median$32.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,009
Minimum$23,520
Median$87,170
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Oil and gas well drilling workers use drilling and service rig machinery as middle members of the rig crew. Oil and gas well services operators drive trucks and use specialized hydraulic pumping systems to place cement in wells or to treat wells with chemicals, sand mixtures or gases to stimulate production. They work for drilling and well service contractors and by petroleum producing companies.
Job duties
Oil and gas well drilling workers:
- Use specialized equipment, information and maps to determine and document the location of buried pipelines and other utilities to get ready for seismic exploration and drilling activities.
- Line up and manipulate sections of pipe or drill stem from platform on rig derrick during removal and replacement of strings of pipe, or drill stem and drill bit.
- Use and maintain drilling mud systems and pumps during drilling, and mix mud, chemicals and additives.
- Record mud flows and volumes and take samples.
- Use and maintain drilling rig diesel motors, transmissions and other equipment.
- Help in setting up, taking down and transporting drilling and service rigs.
- Supervise floorhands and labourers.
Oil and gas well services operators:
- Drive well services truck to well site.
- Build pumping equipment and attach pumps and hoses to wellhead.
- Run hydraulic pumping systems to pump chemicals, gases, sand, cement or other material into well.
- Read gauges to monitor pressure, density, rate and concentration and change pumping procedure as required.
- May mix chemicals and cements.
Sample job titles
- acidizer - oil field services
- blender operator - oil field services
- control room operator - offshore drilling
- derrickman/woman
- motorhand - oil and gas drilling
- oil well cementer - oil field services
- pumper operator - oil field services
- pumpman/woman - oil field services
- rig technician - derrickhand
- seismic buried facilities locator
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.
- Training of up to three months with an experienced operator is needed for oil and gas well services operators.
- Petroleum industry-approved training courses may be required.
- One year of experience as a floorhand, assistant or labourer is usually required.
- Certificates in first aid, hydrogen sulphide awareness, blowout prevention, workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), cryogenic safety or in other safety concerns may be required.
- Rig technician certification for motorhands and derrickhands may be required by some employers.
Other considerations
Movement to oil and gas well driller or service rig operator is possible with experience. Movement to supervisor of well services is possible for gas and oil well services operators.
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?
Cape Breton
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Utilities
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
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
Trades certificate
$88,526 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$67,605 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
N/AHigh school
N/ALess than high school
N/ACompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Less than high school
$23,463 median annual incomeHigh school
$19,301 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$29,551 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$31,535 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$17,956 median annual incomeEducation & training
Adult high school/secondary diploma programs
This program is typically offered at the high school level.The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.
Institutions providing this program
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 220
Halifax, NS B3J 2M4
(866) 679-6722
Various, NS
Various, NS
Well drilling/driller
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to set up, maintain, repair, and operate well drilling equipment; locate, drill, construct, and develop water, gas, and oil wells; and test and monitor wells to ensure adequate flow. These programs include courses with applications to home, business, and industrial uses.
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Certificate of Qualification (Voluntary): This job is a designated trade in Nova Scotia. Employers may require certification, however; a certificate is not needed to legally work in this job.
Contacts
Additional resources
Related jobs
Job postings
There are currently no job postings for this occupation.