Rig Crews
Most of the job descriptions below pertain to a typical
semi-submersible drilling rig crew. However, most disciplines are also
found on jack-ups, drillships and production platforms also.....a
rough guide to the salary is indicated in brackets, some are accurate,
some are guesses on my part.
Offshore Installation
Manager (OIM) (£70,000); has often worked his way up through the drill crew ranks.
He is in overall charge of the rig. Hence sometimes called "Person In
Charge" (PIC).
Toolpusher (£60,000);
works in the rig offices and the rig floor. He also has
responsibilities on the main deck. He is usually an experienced
driller.
Company Man (£90,000);
is the oil
company's on board representative. He is not employed by the drilling
company operating the rig. On a drilling rig an oil company employee
works with the drilling company to supervise its interests, helping
the strategy for drilling the well.
Driller (£50,000);
has a high level of responsibility, and is in charge of everything
happening on and above the rig floor. He is the man that actually
operates the drilling equipment, making the hole in the sea bed. Which
is the reason the rig is there in the first place.
Assistant Driller
(£42,000);
has many tasks to perform most vary depending on particular drilling
operation being carried out at the time. He is direct supervisor for
the Derrickman and Roughnecks. process room at all times.
Derrickman (£38,000);
is responsible for the maintenance and smooth operation of the mud
pumps and mud holding pits among other machines in the mud pump room.
Also assists the Roughnecks when very busy on drill floor and not
required in the pump room. This is the man who will climb the derrick,
the tall drilling tower, to assist racking drill pipe when it is being
pulled out of the hole.
Roughneck (£28,000);
works on
the rig floor in a team of three and is responsible for the operation
of equipment and machines as required by the particular operation
being carried out at that time by the driller. While drilling, one
Roughneck is always present in the mud room.
Subsea Engineer
(£50,000);
is responsible for the Blow Out Preventer (BOP) unit and the motion
compensation system of the rig among other duties.
Assistant Subsea
Engineer (£40,000);
can sometimes be promoted from Roughnecks. More usually from a
mechanical background.
Crane Operator
(£35,000);
is responsible for all crane operations on the rig and to/from the
supply boats. He is supervisor to his assistant and the Roustabout
crew.
Assistant Crane
Operator (£28,000); is an experienced Roustabout who is also qualified to operate
the cranes and will often be next in line for promotion to Crane
Operator when a position arises.
Roustabout (£25,000);
main duties include guiding the crane as loads are moved about the
deck, supplying equipment to the rig floor as requested and keeping
pipe deck and main deck areas clean and tidy. Will also assist
Roughnecks on the drill floor when required. This usually only happens
when the Roughnecks are too busy to get a meal break. The Roustabout
will get his meal, then go to the drill floor allowing one Roughneck
to get his break. Then each Roughneck swaps out until everyone has
eaten.
Radio Operator
(£30,000);
Modern radio systems dictate the need for a GMDSS Radio Operator's
Licence. Responsible for onboard communications systems, helicopter
logistics, preparation of Personnel On Board lists, lifeboat and
emergency muster lists, T-Cards etc. Since the advent of modern radio
the radio operator's job has changed tremendously.
A
good modern Radio Operator will have excellent PC skills, good admin
skills and must be able to get along with people as the radio room
will be the focal point for most peoples communications in and out of
the rig. They also get landed with other administrative jobs that
no-one else seems to have the time for. He might also be find himself
labelled as the resident I.T. tutor / network administrator.
Medic (£40,000);
They are rarely doctors but have a high level of medical training.
Some are former nurses. On some smaller rigs they double up as a Rig
Safety & Training Co-ordinator (RSTC). They are responsible for the
upkeep of the Sick Bay and the medical stocks, issuing medicines like
a pharmacist. Most rigs now carry out medical checks on all employees
every six months or so. Keeping of rig medical records. The rig also
has designated first aiders in every crew.
Maintenance Supervisor
(£50,000);
either has an electrical or mechanical background and oversees the
whole maintenance crews work.
Electrician (£40,000);
responsible for all electrical equipment onboard the rig right down to
the changing of light bulbs within the accommodation.
Mechanic (£40,000);
responsible for all mechanical equipment onboard, including the
drilling package.
Motorman (£32,000);
general engine room duties ensuring smooth running of rig power.
Instrument Technician
(£38,000);
responsible for calibration of measurement equipment, gauges, alarm
panels etc.
Barge Engineer
(£40,000);
is in charge of control room operations. He will often be a time
served Master Mariner from the Merchant Navy who has crossed over into
the oil industry. Responsible for stability of the rig, anchor
handling operations during a rig move, supply vessel operations and
the like.
Control Room Operator
(CRO) (£35,000); Barge Engineer's assistant and responsible on a daily basis for
keeping the rig afloat. He will also be involved with anchor running
and retrieving operations during rig move plus a whole load of
paperwork besides, work permits etc.
Painter (£25,000);
Given his work by the Barge Engineer, the Painter is responsible for
the rig painting program. Like the
Forth Road Bridge it
is a never ending job. Often working at heights with scaffolding
safety harness and or work basket hoisted by the crane. Usually builds
his own scaffolding. May have an assistant, especially if the rig does
not have a Maintenance Roustabout squad.
Maintenance Roustabout
(£25,000);
main duties include general upkeep and cleaning of deck area of rig.
Also painting.
Maintenance Foreman
(£28,000);
responsible for overseeing a Maintenance Roustabout Crew’s work.
Welder (£35,000);
They are permanently on one rig and carry out all day to day repairs
and building of new metalwork. They are always busy. When there is a
big project often a squad of welders are hired to finish the job
quickly. These guys move from rig to rig wherever their company has a
contract. It’s fair to say that Welders are responsible for the
majority of fires onboard drilling rigs.
Rig Safety & Training
Co-ordinator (RSTC) (£40,000);
There is a lot of responsibility. A job for someone who is a good
communicator and has good organisational and computer skills. You will
also require a lot of knowledge of the offshore safety laws and company
policies.
Materialsman/Storeman
(£30,000);
Responsible for the maintenance of the stores and stock ordering and
receiving. Must be computer literate. One drawback of this job is that
on smaller rigs with only one stores person they sometimes have to get
up at all hours to check the cargo coming off the boat.
Camp Boss (£30,000);
in overall charge of the catering department. Oversees the chefs,
stewards, stewardesses etc.
Chef (£27,000);
day to day cooking duties, reports to the Camp Boss.
Night Cook / Baker
(£25,000);
very important position on the rig. All bread onboard is baked by the
night cook/baker.
Scaffolders (£30,000);
are not usually tied to any one rig. They go to different
installations depending on where their company has work.
Mud Engineer
(£50,000);
is in charge of the drilling fluids being used. S/he will likely have
a degree in chemistry and will have a good knowledge of drilling
procedures.
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