The most demanding oil jobs
Demanding jobs are many, and physically demanding jobs are also quite common. However, one of the most demanding oil jobs is that of roughneck. These are the physical laborers who put in 8 or 12 hour shifts on the oil rigs. The terms Roughneck and Roustabout are used interchangeably on most drilling rigs. Other terms used to refer to the people who fill the entry level positions are Leasehand or Floorhand.
Oil rigs may be on land or sea, but either way, it's a very isolated type of life, with not much time for family or friends, other than those friends made on the job.
In the United States, there are 1498 land based drilling rigs and 93 offshore rigs. On each of these rigs, either three or four shifts keep the rig drilling 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The workers on a shift are called a team and must work together as a team for best results. The typical oil rig team is made up of several members: the Rig Manager, the Driller, the Derrickhand, the Motorhand, the Roustabout and the Roughneck. The Roughneck is the person who has the most demanding oil jobs, both in a physical and mental. During any given day the roughneck may perform any or all of these tasks.
- Assemble, repair and maintain all equipment used on the platform or in the oil field.
- use a range of equipment to dig post holes, ditches, pour concrete, assemble drilling derricks
- clear the platform or deck of potential safety hazards
- transport or move equipment around as needed
- scrape rust
- paint
- Connect sections of pipe to go into the well.
- Prepare loads and place in slings to be moved by the rig's crane
On some teams, roughnecks connect steel tubing and thread drill bits together while roustabouts do the other segments of the dirty work. Regardless of the exact duties, roughnecks and roustabouts must be team players who are constantly aware of their surroundings while working in an environmental situation that can be very unpleasant. The engine noise on an oil rig is another factor making roughneck and roustabout the most demanding oil jobs because it is loud and constant. The team can only communicate using hand signals.
These most demanding oil jobs of roustabout and roughneck must be done in all types of weather, whether searing heat, or biting cold. Icy winds on land or sea can be treacherous and the crew members must always be aware of the dangers of the position.
Some people accept these most demanding oil jobs because of the pay. Salaries of $33,000 to $37,000 yearly are not uncommon, and that's just for the entry level positions. For those willing to work and learn, extremely satisfactory salaries are the rule rather than the exception.
Still, it's not a life for most family oriented workers. To be away from family and friends for two weeks at a time while working 12-hour days is not conducive to family life.
Oil rigs may be on land or sea, but either way, it's a very isolated type of life, with not much time for family or friends, other than those friends made on the job.
In the United States, there are 1498 land based drilling rigs and 93 offshore rigs. On each of these rigs, either three or four shifts keep the rig drilling 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The workers on a shift are called a team and must work together as a team for best results. The typical oil rig team is made up of several members: the Rig Manager, the Driller, the Derrickhand, the Motorhand, the Roustabout and the Roughneck. The Roughneck is the person who has the most demanding oil jobs, both in a physical and mental. During any given day the roughneck may perform any or all of these tasks.
- Assemble, repair and maintain all equipment used on the platform or in the oil field.
- use a range of equipment to dig post holes, ditches, pour concrete, assemble drilling derricks
- clear the platform or deck of potential safety hazards
- transport or move equipment around as needed
- scrape rust
- paint
- Connect sections of pipe to go into the well.
- Prepare loads and place in slings to be moved by the rig's crane
On some teams, roughnecks connect steel tubing and thread drill bits together while roustabouts do the other segments of the dirty work. Regardless of the exact duties, roughnecks and roustabouts must be team players who are constantly aware of their surroundings while working in an environmental situation that can be very unpleasant. The engine noise on an oil rig is another factor making roughneck and roustabout the most demanding oil jobs because it is loud and constant. The team can only communicate using hand signals.
These most demanding oil jobs of roustabout and roughneck must be done in all types of weather, whether searing heat, or biting cold. Icy winds on land or sea can be treacherous and the crew members must always be aware of the dangers of the position.
Some people accept these most demanding oil jobs because of the pay. Salaries of $33,000 to $37,000 yearly are not uncommon, and that's just for the entry level positions. For those willing to work and learn, extremely satisfactory salaries are the rule rather than the exception.
Still, it's not a life for most family oriented workers. To be away from family and friends for two weeks at a time while working 12-hour days is not conducive to family life.
