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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 8113

Oil rig motorhand

An oil rig motorhand is a person who answers for the engines that drive the drilling equipment on a rig and who sees that all the other equipment on the platform is working properly. The motorhand is the rig's mechanic: the drilling crew turns to the motorhand when something stops.

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Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

direct rigging equipment operators

use rigging equipment

operate rig motors

transport drilling rigs

maintain mechanical equipment

About oil rig motorhand

The engines are the primary charge. The motorhand operates the rig engines, works from mechanics and with mechanical tools, and keeps the prime movers running.

The rest of the platform belongs to the same person. The motorhand checks and maintains the other equipment on the rig, which is a wide inventory in a hostile setting of salt, vibration, mud and continuous operation. Lifting heavy objects is a stated part of the work, and so is moving the rigs themselves when an operation relocates.

The motorhand is part of the crew and directs some of its members. The motorhand works within the drilling teams, directs the drilling equipment operators, and works from rigging terminology, which is the shared vocabulary a drill floor runs on. On a rig a misunderstood instruction is dangerous rather than merely inefficient, so precise terminology matters for safety.

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (14)

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.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.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.direct rigging equipment operatorsdirect rigging equipment operatorsProvide guidance to rigging equipment operator; provide assistance during setting up and removing rigging equipment.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.operate rig motorsoperate rig motorsOperate, maintain and repair rig motors.transport drilling rigstransport drilling rigsMove and relocate drilling rigs from one site to another with a specialised transportation truck.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...lift heavy weightslift heavy weightsLift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.set up drilling rigsset up drilling rigsBuild up the drilling rig and prepare it for use after selecting an appropriate drilling location. Dismantle the drilling rig after the operations have finished.move rigging equipmentmove rigging equipmentTransport rigging materials and equipment to work locations. Set up work site.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.connect equipment to wellheadsconnect equipment to wellheadsInstall equipment. Connect equipment to wellheads.
Optional (4) — show
guide drill pipesguide drill pipesGuide drill pipe in and out of elevators.train crew memberstrain crew membersTrain new crew members on the job; plan daily job assignments.guide cranesguide cranesGuide a crane operator in operating the crane. Stay in contact with the operator visually, vocally, or using communication equipment to make sure the crane operation is completed in a safe and efficie...lead drilling crewslead drilling crewsCollaborate and guide members of a drilling crew by specifying their mining objectives, actions, and expectations required from them.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an oil rig motorhand do?

Oil rig motorhands assume responsibility for the engines powering the drilling equipment. They ensure that all other rig equipment operates correctly.

What skills does an oil rig motorhand need?

An oil rig motorhand needs 14 essential skills, including mechanical tools, rigging terminology, electricity, mechanics, direct rigging equipment operators.

Will AI replace oil rig motorhand jobs?

The AI disruption score for oil rig motorhand is 9/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: rigging terminology, train crew members, operate rig motors. Most resilient: electricity, transport drilling rigs, lift heavy weights.

AI Replacement Risk

9/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupStationary plant and machine operators
Essential Skills14

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