How to Run a Drilling Rig
It takes skilled workers, engineers and project managers as well as a tight team work to run a drilling rig. The hours are as long as the work is hard, but those working on oil rigs--both on and offshore--take pride in their jobs. Learn what it takes to run a drilling rig and appreciate what people do on an oil rig to put gasoline in your car.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Operations
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1
Know proper set up is crucial for oil rig production. Set up correctly to avoid accidents and injuries. Drill the surface hole down to a depth that's pre-set (from a starter hole). See that this is located someplace above where the oil trap is thought to exist.
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2
Position the drill bit, collar and drill pipe into the hole. Fill the drill pipe rack with drill pipe. Attach the drill bit to the first joint. Lower the drill bit through the turntable and engage the kelly (which rotates a drill stem and the bit). Lower this to the ground and turn right.
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3
Continue drilling and periodically release the brake. Make sure the mud pumps are engaged, which circulate drill fluid through the drill pipe and through the bit so that the cuttings of the bit are grinding on the bottom ground and rock. Distribute mud around in the pipe and out from the bit so that the rock cuttings float out of the hole as the drilling proceeds.
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4
Watch for fluid to circulate through the bore hole and up to the surface. Continue with this drilling process until you get a stand of pipe that reaches the derrick floor. Set the slips on the drill pipe.
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5
Attach a new stand of drill pipes to the pipe that's now at the derrick floor level. Carry on with the process until you reach total depth. Pull the drill pipe and start the process over if you wear out a bit.
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6
Pull the drill pipe out of the hole once you reach total depth. Set the casing. Know that casing is large pipe that's the diameter of the hole you've drilled. Cement the casing once it is set in the hole. Test and determine the depth you will perforate the casing.
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7
Lower the perforation gun into the hole at the determined/tested depth and fire the gun. Burn holes at that depth and open the formation into the casing with it. Start producing oil once you've reached your production.
Careers
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1
Find that most careers related to operating and running a drilling rig provide lucrative pay (starting at $300 per day for drill deck hands, such as roughnecks); however, understand the work is dangerous and workers spend most of their long days outside in all kinds of weather. Enjoy a high standard of accommodation though, especially on offshore rigs.
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2
Realize many of the jobs require education or training. Study petroleum engineering, geology and project management at the university level to run a drilling rig. Realize that it takes more than a manager or set of managers to run an oil rig--everyone on the rig plays an important part in successful operations of oil production.
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3
Train for many drilling rig jobs independently or through short courses offered by companies specializing in oil rig worker training, such as "Maritime Drilling Schools, Ltd."
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4
Apply directly to oil companies, such as "Chevron," via their website or use a job search contract company like "Oil and Gas Jobsearch."
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