Roustabouts maintain and repair oil field equipment and machinery using hand and power tools. They do general labor, such as cleaning, digging trenches, scraping and painting rig components.
Rate 5 of the 16 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
inspect pipelines
bolt engine parts
maintain oil field machinery
perform drainage work
supply rigging equipment
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (16)
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.inspect pipelinesinspect pipelinesWalk flow lines to identify damage or leaks; use electronic detection equipment and conduct visual inspections.bolt engine partsbolt engine partsSecurely bolt together engine components manually or using power tools.maintain oil field machinerymaintain oil field machineryDisassemble, repair or replace oil field equipment such as steam engine components or boilers; use power tools and hand tools.perform drainage workperform drainage workDig draining ditches and lay the pipe or gutter installation to allow evacuation of surplus liquid and avoid subsidence or other damage.supply rigging equipmentsupply rigging equipmentSupply equipment to rig floors as requested, and provide assistance to roughnecks.connect oil well headsconnect oil well headsPrepare oil wellheads for connection to oil stock tanks.clear drill sitesclear drill sitesClear drill site e.g. by cutting down surrounding trees; make way for new roads to drill site.deal with pressure from unexpected circumstancesdeal with pressure from unexpected circumstancesStrive to achieve objectives despite the pressures arising from unexpected factors outside of your control.make foundations for derricksmake foundations for derricksConstruct foundations and assemble wooden or steel framework in order to erect a derrick.adjust tightness of engine partsadjust tightness of engine partsTighten or unscrew engine parts using hand and power tools; maintenance of tubing, casing and connecting rods.transport pipestransport pipesTransport pipes manually or by operating equipment such as mechanical lifts and truck winches.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.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...clean up spilled oilclean up spilled oilSafely clean up and dispose of spilled oil.maintain pipe deckmaintain pipe deckEnsure cleanliness of main deck areas and pipe deck.
Optional (2) — show
electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.connect equipment to wellheadsconnect equipment to wellheadsInstall equipment. Connect equipment to wellheads.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Roustabouts maintain and repair oil field equipment and machinery using hand and power tools. They do general labor, such as cleaning, digging trenches, scraping and painting rig components.
What skills does a roustabout need?
A roustabout needs 16 essential skills, including mechanics, inspect pipelines, bolt engine parts, maintain oil field machinery, perform drainage work.
Will AI replace roustabout jobs?
The AI disruption score for roustabout is 8/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: inspect pipelines, maintain pipe deck, clean up spilled oil. Most resilient: electricity, make foundations for derricks, perform drainage work.