Offshore Drilling Worker

Typical Salary

£12,000 To £50,000

Typical Hours

53 to 55 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Offshore Drilling Worker

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role
applying directly

College / University

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do an engineering operative intermediate apprenticeship before applying to work on offshore rigs.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could start as a roustabout on a rig and learn on the job before moving into drilling work.

You can apply directly to offshore oil and gas companies if you've got experience in an industry like engineering or construction.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to work well with others
observation and recording skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

As a derrickhand, your duties will include:

handling and stacking sections of the drill pipe
maintaining the derrick
operating the lifting and hoisting machinery to position the drill
controlling and maintaining mud pumps, and supervising mud pump operators

As a driller, your duties will include:

supervising the drilling team and controlling the rate of drilling
controlling operations on the drill floor
overseeing assembly of the drilling tools and connecting sections of the drill pipe
operating the drill control machinery
keeping records of the drilling process
making sure the team follows health and safety rules

Working Environment

You could work on a rig.

Your working environment may be cramped, physically demanding, at height, outdoors in all weathers and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

You could work for operating companies with their own exploration and production licences, or for drilling and maintenance contracting companies.

With experience, you could be promoted from driller to toolpusher or rig manager.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in the offshore oil and gas industry from MyOilandGasCareer.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

complete basic offshore safety training
have an offshore medical certificate
be over 18 years of age