Driller - North Dakota & Wyoming

About the role

The Driller is responsible for monitoring well conditions and drilling parameters. The Driller operates and monitors the essential systems of the drilling rig including: the hoisting, well control, and mud and power systems. The driller is responsible for the supervision of the rig crew, ensuring that they work safely and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Stand or sit at the Driller’s console for up to 12 hours with minimal ability to leave the Driller’s cabin
• Occasionally climb steep stairs and walk on steel grating and decking, which may be slick
• Walk on boards, gravel, dirt, mud, ice, and snow
• Manually operate equipment at Driller’s console, which consists of touchscreens, buttons, keyboard, joystick, and levers
• Clear vision to judge near and far distances to maintain awareness of, watch, and report ongoing work activities to coworkers and third parties
• Utilize proper hand signals when working from the cabin to communicate with other rig employees
• Accurate recall over short and long-term memory
• Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to operate drilling equipment, be aware of other workers’ location in relation to drilling activities, and safely move around work environment with many moving objects
• Stay continuously alert and focused up to 12.5 hours while independently performing repetitive and routine activities and be able to remain calm and continue working in the event of a problem situation
• Make sound and quick decisions in a changing and hazardous environment
• Work in a heavy industrial environment which includes working around constantly moving overhead machinery, being in close proximity to loud equipment and handling potentially hazardous chemicals
• Demonstrate clear communication skills including ability to read, write and speak English as well as understand and promptly follow verbal and written instructions in English
• Take initiative and work independently during downtime
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times which could include but is not limited to: hard hat, safety glasses, coveralls, work gloves, respirator, and hearing protection
• Oversee all drilling activities and monitor rig employees and third parties that are working on, entering or exiting rig floor
• Perform the following functions from the Driller console: raising and lowering the drill stem; lowering casing into the well; making connections on the drill stem; controlling or running the mud pumps; controlling rotary table speed; and adjusting the weight on the bit
• Follow established plan for drilling operations
• Continually monitor well conditions and drilling parameters
• Provide leadership, along with the Rig Manager, to delegate tasks, instruct, train, and develop all rig employees
• Avoid regular maintenance of all equipment and machinery
• Maintain daily logs of drilling activities and submit daily Tour Sheets
• Supervise and direct rig crew, ensure that the Derrickhand maintains proper drilling fluid properties, and assist with rig up / down procedures
• Support other crew members as needed, ensure compliance with safety procedures, and other additional tasks as assigned
• Other duties as assigned that may be outside of this job description

Qualifications

• Demonstrate ability to successfully complete all duties of a Floorhand, Motorhand and Derrickhand
• Must be able to use a computer and multiple monitors to track drilling activities
• Must be able to utilize standard formulas and basic mathematical equations for well control calculations
• Must be able to verbally communicate directions and expectations effectively to the rig crew and third parties
• Able to repetitively climb steep stairs and be able to lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces
• Comfortable working at heights (50 ft. or greater) for extended periods of time
• Willing to travel to and work in remote locations on a rotational schedule which consists of 14 days on / 14 days off, working 12.5 hour shifts that can include days or nights and as well as weekends and holidays
• Willing to work mandatory and unscheduled hours outside of your assigned schedule with little or no advanced notice
• Able to successfully meet pre-employment testing requirements which may include, without limitation, pre-employment drug and alcohol test(s) and background checks as well as drug and/or alcohol testing periodically during employment (subject to state and federal laws)

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced education (e.g., college, trade school, etc.)
• Prior experience as a Driller with PTEN