SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Daylight Driller
  • Drill Operator
  • Driller
  • Drilling Rig Operator
  • Motor Man
  • Oil Rig Driller
  • Oil Well Driller
  • Relief Driller

What is a rotary drill operators, oil and gas?

Rotary Drill Operators in the oil and gas industry are responsible for operating and maintaining rotary drilling rigs and related equipment used in the extraction of oil and natural gas from underground reservoirs. These professionals play a critical role in the drilling process, which involves the use of large, heavy machinery to create wells that can reach several thousand feet below the earth's surface. Rotary Drill Operators manage daily rig operations, oversee drilling activities, and ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly and safely. They are also involved in monitoring drill performance, adjusting drilling parameters, and responding to any issues that may arise during the drilling process. The position requires a strong understanding of drilling techniques, safety protocols, and the ability to work effectively in challenging and often hazardous conditions. Additionally, Rotary Drill Operators are typically part of a larger team, collaborating with other professionals, including geologists and engineers, to ensure the efficient and effective execution of drilling programs.

What the work actually is

  • Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective.
  • Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes.
  • Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.
  • Push levers and brake pedals to control gasoline, diesel, electric, or steam draw works that lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells.
  • Connect sections of drill pipe, using hand tools and powered wrenches and tongs.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Abilities

  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Personnel and Human Resources Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Some college, no degree

A normal week

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Data base user interface and query software Drillingsoftware Tubular Database · Pason WellView Field Solution · Structure query language SQL
  • Industrial control software CAPSHER Technology SureTec · Drillingsoftware DrillPro
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software
  • Customer relationship management CRM software Salesforce software

Tools

  • Casing head spool Adapter spools · Drilling spools · Spacer spools
  • Drawworks Chain driven draw works · Drilling draw works · Gear driven draw works
  • Drilling casings Drill casings · Pipe slips
  • Mud mixers Drilling mud mixers · Mud mixing equipment
  • Safety harnesses or belts Fall arrest systems · Protective harnesses

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much does a rotary drill operators, oil and gas earn in South Africa?

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What is a rotary drill operators, oil and gas?

Train crews, and introduce procedures to make drill work more safe and effective, Observe pressure gauge and move throttles and levers to control the speed of rotary tables, and to regulate pressure of tools at bottoms of boreholes and Count sections of drill rod to determine depths of boreholes.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.