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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8113

Derrickhand

Derrickhands guide the positions and movements of drill pipes. They control the automated pipe-handling equipment. They are often responsible for the condition of drilling fluids, or "mud".

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Check yourself in a minute: derrickhand

Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

monitor drilling fluid

control flow of oils

use rigging equipment

maintain mechanical equipment

maintain circulation system

About derrickhand

As a derrickhand, you will work on drilling rigs, managing the critical systems that extract oil and gas from underground reserves. Your primary responsibility is to control and guide drill pipes using automated equipment, ensuring smooth and safe drilling operations. You will monitor drilling fluids—commonly called "mud"—which serve the essential functions of cooling the drill bit, carrying away rock cuttings, and maintaining well pressure. Your role demands constant vigilance and quick reactions in a high-pressure environment where equipment failures can have serious consequences. As a derrickhand, you will be part of a specialized drilling team, collaborating with other technicians to maintain mechanical systems and respond immediately to any anomalies in drilling operations. The work is physically demanding and often performed at heights, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols and an understanding of rigging terminology and equipment. This career offers strong earning potential and opportunities to advance into supervisory or specialized drilling roles within the energy sector.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a derrickhand.

1

Drill Pipe Management and Control

  • Guide and position drill pipes using automated pipe-handling equipment
  • Monitor pipe tension, weight, and alignment throughout drilling operations
  • Coordinate pipe connections and disconnections with drilling team members
  • Respond to pipe movement anomalies and communicate issues to the rig supervisor
2

Drilling Fluid Monitoring and Maintenance

  • Check and maintain optimal drilling mud properties and composition
  • Control flow rates and pressure of drilling fluids in circulation systems
  • Test drilling fluid samples and adjust additives as needed
  • Identify contamination or degradation of drilling fluids and report to engineering staff
3

Equipment Operation and Safety Management

  • Operate automated pipe-handling and rigging equipment safely and efficiently
  • Inspect rigging equipment, mechanical systems, and drilling apparatus before each shift
  • Follow strict safety protocols when working at heights and in hazardous conditions
  • Wear and maintain personal protective equipment at all times on the rig
4

Team Communication and Time-Critical Response

  • Communicate drilling status, equipment conditions, and hazards to team members and supervisors
  • React quickly to drilling anomalies, pressure changes, or equipment failures
  • Participate in crew meetings and safety briefings before shifts
  • Document equipment performance and operational events in shift logs
5

Mechanical Equipment Maintenance

  • Perform routine maintenance and lubrication of drilling equipment and machinery
  • Identify worn or damaged components and report them for replacement
  • Troubleshoot minor mechanical issues and perform basic repairs under supervision
  • Keep detailed maintenance records for all equipment under your responsibility

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (12)

mechanical toolsmechanical toolsVarious type of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.rigging terminologyrigging terminologyTerms for lifting equipment, lifting accessories, slings, shackles, wires, ropes, chains, cables and nets.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.monitor drilling fluidmonitor drilling fluidMonitor and maintain the drilling fluids, or "mud". Add different chemicals to the fluid to perform various function in well operations: keep the drill bit cool, provide hydrostatic pressure, etc.control flow of oilscontrol flow of oilsAdjust controls to regulate flow of oils through lines and tanks.use rigging equipmentuse rigging equipmentSet up rolling and lifting equipment required to lift and move objects e.g. with a crane or block and tackle system.maintain mechanical equipmentmaintain mechanical equipmentObserve and listen to machinery operation to detect malfunction. Service, repair, adjust, and test machines, parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical principles. Maintain...maintain circulation systemmaintain circulation systemMaintain the fluid pumps and circulation systems of an oil pumping system.react to events in time-critical environmentsreact to events in time-critical environmentsMonitor the situation around you and anticipate. Be ready to take quick and appropriate action in case of unexpected events.work in drilling teamswork in drilling teamsWork confidently within a drilling team on a drilling rig or oil platform with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...guide drill pipesguide drill pipesGuide drill pipe in and out of elevators.
Optional (6) — show
chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...inspect pipelinesinspect pipelinesWalk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.inspect quality of productsinspect quality of productsUse various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.add chemicals to drilling fluidadd chemicals to drilling fluidAdd sacks of chemicals to drilling fluid to maintain a favourable composition, including pH level, viscosity and calcium level.connect equipment to wellheadsconnect equipment to wellheadsInstall equipment. Connect equipment to wellheads.train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a derrickhand do?

Derrickhands guide the positions and movements of drill pipes. They control the automated pipe-handling equipment. They are often responsible for the condition of drilling fluids, or "mud".

What skills does a derrickhand need?

A derrickhand needs 12 essential skills, including mechanical tools, rigging terminology, mechanics, monitor drilling fluid, control flow of oils.

Will AI replace derrickhand jobs?

The AI disruption score for derrickhand is 23/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: rigging terminology, control flow of oils, inspect quality of products. Most resilient: maintain mechanical equipment, react to events in time-critical environments, work in drilling teams.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupStationary plant and machine operators
Essential Skills12

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