Drill operators supervise a team during rigging and drilling operations. They monitor well activity and take measures in case of emergencies.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Dismantling, moving and assembling drilling rigs and auxiliary equipment;
(b) Assembling and dismantling pipes, casings and drill heads, and replacing dysfunctional equipment;
(c) Operating controls to lower and raise drill pipes and casings in and out of wells, regulate pressure in the well and control the speed of tools;
(d) Preparing drilling fluid and checking the operation of pumps to ensure adequate circulation of fluid in drill pipe and well;
(e) Monitoring gauges and other indicators and listening to equipment to detect malfunctions and unusual well conditions, and determining the need to change drilling or equipment;
(f) Maintaining, adjusting, repairing and cleaning drilling rigs, hoisting and other machinery;
(g) Maintaining records of drilling and servicing operations;
(h) Operating machines and tools to extract dust, cuttings and lost and broken drilling equipment from holes and wells;
(i) Closing and sealing wells no longer in use;
(j) Supervising and training crew members.