What are the opportunities in the derrickman job description?

Under about 85 feet of flat surface in the mining place, the derrickman exists. But what is the derrickman job description and what does it mean? What are the responsibilities and the roles of a derrickman?

This job title is unknown for many persons, but if you work in the mining and oil companies. You should be aware of this job position.

But let’s go on a journey in the derrickman job description starting from the definition until knowing the average salaries and the simple details in this job title. Just keep reading!

Table of contents

Derrickman job description

The derrickman is the person responsible for drilling in the mining or oil companies. He is responsible for the mud operation, testing the mud density. Also, he works in rigging up or down, transporting drilling and services rigs and laying out tubing.  

Roles and responsibilities of a derrickman

In the Oil and mining sector, the derrickman is considered as one of the most important job titles due to its important role in mining and drilling. To know the importance of this role, you should certainly explore the roles, responsibilities and duties of the derrickman. Between these responsibilities are:

1. Work in align pipes.
2. Secure the foundation and the connection of the pipes with the other pipes.
3. Transport drills and services rigs, and set up pipes under terrain surface or on the lower deck.
4. Maintain drilling equipment like drilling rig diesel motors, mud systems of the pumps and drilling, chemical mix mud, cements and additives, and transmissions.
5. Take care of pressure, density, concentration, rate based on the gauge reading and adjust pumps and drilling if required. 
6. Aware of how to calculate oil and mud volume and density.
7. Record the mud volume and density.
8. Leads laborers.
9. Aware about mud system
10. Knowledge of pipe-racking system
11. Familiar with pipe-tripping operations 

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Education and Training Requirements

Derrickman’s job position and education level differs from country to another and from company to another company. 

In some companies no education level required just the high school degree. On the other side, other companies required a bachelor degree in the engineering field. 

On the other hand, training is a must. There is no unified training worldwide, each country has its own training certificates. At least, you could assist with an internship from any oil company.

Skill and Competency Requirements

In addition to the training and the education level, some skills and competency are required:

1. Aware about pipe alignment and drilling.
2. The know how of the function of the diesel motors, pumps and drilling mud systems.
3. Capable of reading mud density and monitoring pressure.
4. You should calculate the mud density, so having a mathematical knowledge will be an added value.
5. Derrickman is hard work, and unsafe, so you should have a strong body with a good and healthy build to be able to work in this job.
6. Details oriented to monitor oil, pressure and mud density.
7. Flexible as you could work for a long time.   

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Work Environment

In the Derrickman job description, you have to work under the land surface for about 85 feet, in a hot temperature, and an unsafe environment full of danger as you don’t expect what you will find under the land surface. So, don’t forget to take all the precautions and requirements in terms of equipment, and clothes to avoid any danger.

Derrickman Work Hours

From the other side, the working hours of the derrickman are considered as long working hours as he works for at least 10 hours per day.

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Employment Opportunities

Derrickman’s job position has a great opportunity in the market, as the oil and the mining industry is a booming industry in many companies in the gulf area, Europe, USA and many countries. 

So, being a part of a booming industry will offer you the opportunities to grow in your career quickly. Because of the high demand in this industry for more and more manpower. 

Also, this career is attractive to a wide range of people, because of the good average salary. 

Career Advancement

Each person while starting a new career, he looks for the opportunities of promotions and how to realize a career advancement. The derrickman is one of the industries where promotions are available based on seniority. But you should mix between the hard working, the excellent experience to be able to become a senior derrickman, senior driller or driller supervisor. 

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Derrickman salary

The derrickman as we mentioned before are unknown with their good average salary. The average salary reaches about $69,421 per year. But you should put into consideration that the average salary could have a remarkable difference based on the company size, your country, your experience, your knowledge.

How long does it take to become a derrick hand?

To become a derrick hand, you need to accomplish the required training or the internship that is generally about 6 months, then you could be called a derrick hand.

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Is derrickman the same as floorman?

No, derrickman isn’t the floorman. The derrickman exists on the top of the derrick on the drilling rig, he gets in contact with the driller. He works by putting the stands of the drill pipe into the fingers.

From the other side the floorman or the Roughneck handles the pipe, and the casing, drilling equipment. And he offers the needed maintenance to this equipment. Also, he participates in the cleaning, housekeeping and maintenance works on a daily basis for the drill floor and in the shale shake’s room.

Derrickman resume sample

ROBERT SMITH

Derrickman

Phone: (123) 456 78 99

Email: info@qwikresume.com

Website: www.qwikresume.com

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/qwikresume

Address: 1737 Marshville Road,

Alabama.

Objective

Experienced ROV Superintendent with strong leadership and relationship-building skills. Over 12

years of experience in my field. Areas of expertise include Construction, De-Construction, Field

Remediation, Drill Support, Drilling, Survey Work, Welding, Electrical, fiber optic, hydraulic, and

the use of various subsea tools.

Skills

Forklift Operator, Man Lift, Power Tools, Customer Service.

Work Experience

Derrickman

ABC Corporation ­ March 2002 – May 2003

• Assisted in other areas of the drilling operation as directed.
• Acted as a lead in the pump area, mud pits, and rig floor based on direction from the Driller
  and Driller Trainee.
• Ensured correct safety procedures are followed; assists in training drill crew. Directed and coordinated crewmembers in the performance of work duties and priorities.
• Prepared required work permits, risk assessments and ensures Stop Work Authority and Job
• Safety Environmental Analyses usage.
• Scheduled equipment maintenance and repair with other department personnel, such as
• Drillers, Electricians, Motorman, and Crane Operators.
• Prepared handover notes for relief staff.

Derrickman

Delta Corporation ­ 1997 – 2002

• Worked on a drilling rig.
• Tripped pipe in and out of oil well.
• Was in charge of taking care of drilling fluids and mid pumps.
• service equipment & running air packs for drilling.
• Ground Supervisor for the Drilling Crew.
• Responsible for maintaining the drilling fluids system.
• Responsible for maintaining two H&H 1600 Triplex Mud pumps.

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Electrical and Industrial – (Frank Phillips College – Borger – Borger,

TX)

In conclusion, the derrickman job description is one of the hardest job descriptions with a high risk. But from the other side, in this job description, you will find multiple benefits that will push you to join this career. So, it’s your turn to choose if you would like to join this career or not.